Next only to the Bible, Antoine de St. Exupery’s The Little Prince is the most translated classic literature in the universe. As of April 2017, when the book came out in Hassanya, a north African Arabic language, translation versions were pegged at 300 languages. A relatively comprehensive list compiled by Patrick Tourreau of foreign editions in various languages from Earth to Asteroid B-612 so far counts 674 editions! This list however, is not exhaustive as the Philippine editions are not comprehensively covered.
A cursory browsing of Philippine translations of The Little Prince reveals the original Filipino translation was spearheaded by Dr. Lilia Antonio, while she was still studying at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. She based her first translation on Katherine Woods’ original English translation of the book. This was first published by the now defunct Alemar’s-Phoenix Press in 1969.
It was followed by another translation to Filipino with the same title by Desiderio Ching, published in 1981 by Claretian Publications.
Yet, the well-loved book has been translated to other Philippine languages as well. In 2011, Fr. Wilmer Joseph Tria self-published a Bicolano translation, An Sadit na Prinsipe. Then in 2018, Jerome Herrera self-published El Diutay Principe in Chavacano, a Spanish creole-based language spoken in Zamboanga City in Mindanao. Within the same year, another Chavacano translation, El Principe Niño, written by professor Dr. Robin delos Reyes, was also published. In 2020, Dr. Lilia Antonia rewrote her original manuscript by basing a new translation to Filipino on the 2000 work of Richard Howard. This now stands as the foremost translation to Filipino, published by Southern Voices Printing Press as a Limited Edition version. In 2022, Southern Voices Printing Press released the Student Edition version of the same translation by Dr. Lilia Antonio.
illustration by Jerome Herrera
We begin 2023 with the Hiligaynon version translated by Stephen Matti, Ang Gamay nga Prinsipe freshly off the press (launch date to be announced by Mr. Matti in the next few days). That makes for a total of eight editions published in the Filipino, Bicolano, Waray, Chavacano and Hiligaynon languages! And soon, perhaps in February of 2023, Jerry Gracio might come out with his Waray translation, entitled An Guti nga Prinsipe. Then we find out there is also an Ilokano and Cebuano version in the works!
photos by Southern Voices Printing Press
If only the burgeoning of translation editions in the Philippines could reflect the increase in readership in the various local languages, one could say there is hope that perhaps, it is not exactly true that Filipinos do not read. ###
Note: The author welcomes corrections or addendums to the various translation works and editions of The Little Prince in the Philippines.
Kudos to indie publisher San Anselmo Publications, Inc., for coming out with the SANTELMO Liwanag sa Dilim magazine, a literary and arts platform for both multi-awarded writers as well as up and coming unpublished authors. To date, SANTELMO stands out among magazines and journals not published by various universities. Many of the magazine out on news stands are lifestyle magazines, with a large percentage of its pages dedicated to outright ads or ads posing as articles. SANTELMO for its part, in its first three issues, remains true to its dream of contributing to the blooming of a thousand flowers. Its third issue comes out soon!
Southern Voices Printing Press is honored to help deliver this baby by providing its offset printing services to San Anselmo Publications, Inc., a true partner in the Filipino indie publishing web.
The pandemic was… is… a game-changer for almost all aspects of our lives, including how we consume books. Being locked down, being on self-quarantine, and all the time living by the rules of social distancing, shifted most of our former activities to online platforms. There is much less foot traffic to previously-visited book stores or book cafes, and we could say that the current situation drastically pushed reading, hence publishing, to be mostly online. This huge shift from the print industry to an all-of-sudden digitalization of literature greatly affects all types of publishers, but most importantly, indie publishers.
These are authors preferring to market their own books instead of having some outfit gobble up at least 40% of the price of each book, or even higher. They are authors who prefer to be in touch with at least 80% of their readers. They are indie publishers trying out their first publishing project, hoping that the first 200- to 300-copies print run is rapidly gobbled up, allowing them to do a second run for a bigger volume.
We are authors or publishers who own a voice, a unique lens with which we view things, and want these shared with a wider audience outside of a few family members and friends. Southern Voices Printing Press is one such indie publisher. Though not extensive, it wishes to share its experiences and lessons with indie publishing and marketing to encourage more voices out there to be heard through publishing.
The first lesson on the list is this: Make sure you have a good original material thatyour readers will love, and write in a language your readers understand. You are bound for failure coming up with a material which you hope will be at par with a Dan Brown novel when you’re forte is comedy or sattire! On this we will not say much because you’re the one who will be writing in your favorite genre, in the voice you are comfortable with, and to an audience who know and love you well.
We next proceed to the biggest hurdle in indie publishing — funding. Unless you’re the son or daughter of a business tycoon, the odds are you will need a whole community of supporters who will help you through this difficult part of your indie publishing project.
There are at least three ways to go about raising funds: crowdfunding, pre-orders or publishing grants.
There are quite a number of crowdfunding platforms online – gofundme, spark project, gava, indiegogo, gogetfunding, airfunding, and lots more. Spend at least three days reading through their rules and methods so you can choose one that’s exactly right for you. A number of these platforms do not operate in the Philippines, but if you have good friends in countries where they do operate, you can have them sponsor your crowdfunding campaign. You only have to ensure that you still control the fund management aspect of it all.
Pre-orders work if you have a large digital network of friends, colleagues, relatives and supporters or fans who trust you, believe in your work, have read some of your works online, and are willing to spread the word. It’s a more direct form of crowdfunding as you don’t have another platform working for and with you. You own and control your content, your reach and your preferred social media platforms. Pre-orders are more successful if communicated through more than one social media platform.
Publishing grants in the Philippines are hard to come by but keep this in mind and keep searching for opportunities.
After you’ve hurdled your basic funding requirements, the next step would be working on your manuscript to make it print-ready. Find a good editor, preferably someone you trust and esteem professionally, and someone you can afford. Better yet, find an editor who’s also a friend, willing to support you by editing your book for free!
Then, find a graphic artist who can design a powerful cover concept for you. It’s not true that people do not judge a book by its cover. Whether on a bookshelf or an online carousel of books, you would want your title and cover to stand out and catch your intended readers’ eye.
Next, find yourself a printer who is willing to do short runs, normally at a minimum of 200 or 300 copies, and who understands your needs as an indie author. In Southern Voices Printing Press, we encourage connection, collaboration and communication. At this point, make sure you get an ISBN for your book ( http://web.nlp.gov.ph/nlp/?q=node/645).
Lastly, the most challenging aspect of your journey — market and sell your book online. So many media and blog articles have shared the sales experiences of booksellers during the 2020 pandemic. Their sales diminished from 50% to 80% of their 2019 averages. Many were forced to close. The ones who survived are those who were quick to pivot their sales and marketing strategies to online platforms. All recommend putting up a blog linked to various social media handles. These are not just Philippine experiences. Book sellers and lovers from India, Europe, US and Asia all share the same stories.
The successful ones give out similar tips — be patient and consistent in building your online audience from a few to a thousand or more, know what your audience need and want, be creative in reaching out to a wider audience and thank each one in supporting you and your book. Most importantly, welcome feedback from your readers.
We do not own the definitive guide to successful online marketing and selling. There are so many tips and guides online*. Read them!
And finally, believe in yourself. May the tribe of indie publishers increase! Good luck! ###
Photos like these could be go-to photos when news of the pandemic are turning for the worse. The recently imposed ECQ or strictest lockdown protocols which started August 6, 2021 for Metro Manila, for example, the spiking cases, the inadequate public health services for affected Filipinos, and the increasing cases for the fear-invoked Delta or even Lambda variant, are just some of these.
In varying degrees, lockdowns and social distancing are contrary to the very nature of people as social beings. Perhaps Filipinos even more so, where our concept of self often includes the extensive family circles. We know that in practical terms, lockdowns and social distancing thins out our normal support systems, whether from families or friends. We have to develop alternative means to keep these connections alive — through kamustahan phone calls, chats, emails, or other similar means.
The fear, worry and stresses that are normal under past situations now become spiked too in this pandemic where a lot of things, especially government support, are so uncertain.
It is important that we look after our mental, not just our physical health. Ensuring our mental health is more important now, especially if other members of the family are also dependent on us to care for them (young kids, older relatives).
One of the easiest ways to take charge of your wellness can be done by picking up a book. Not only is reading a great way to stay entertained while you are socially distancing, but it has been shown to improve overall mental health. Some benefits of reading are mentioned here:
Stress reduction. An article in The Telegraph reports a study (2009) that reveal stress was reduced among participants who read by almost 70%, and it is said to be more effective than listening to music. Even as little as 6 minutes can help, but reading for 30 minutes (half of your lunch break!) has a similar stress reduction effect as yoga exercises for the same duration.
Night time winding down. Routinely reading a real, physical book for even a few minutes each night also helps our sleeping pattern. Take note a good night’s rest is best for our mental state. Make sure your book genre is not of the horror or mystery-adventure series type as stories like these keep our mind racing and stimulated instead of helping us relax.
Books build Knowledge. It can never be said enough that what you don’t learn from school, you can discover via a book. Reading also improves our vocabulary and helps us travel the world and cross time boundaries.
Empathy Books. There are special books, especially fiction books, where characters speak to each other and express their opinions, desires and beliefs. These books may help enhance our empathy or our ability to understand or share the feeling/s of another person.
Mental self-help books, and fiction as therapy. Reading ‘self-help’ books and fiction can help you feel more connected and can help people who may be dealing with depression or anxiety. It allows your imagination to become more engaged and you connect emotionally to characters and reflect your own feelings, problems and desires as you read.
While not comprehensive, here are some new and good books to read, published by Filipinos:
The pandemic situation is not getting any better. The overwhelming economic impact of another ECQ in Metro Manila and its environs is felt by so many.
We assert however that the lock down need not curtail our cultural growth. In a bid to gift readers in this period of the ECQ lockdown, Southern Voices Printing Press offers an AUGUST 14 to 20, 2021 LOCKDOWN INVENTORY SALE!! Residents of Quezon City, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Manila City and Marikina City (up to Bayan area only) benefit from a FREE DELIVERY service for orders above PhP500.
Kung ikaw ay magluluto ng pansit, ilang minuto lang ang igugugol dito kung instant pancit canton ang lulutuin. Kung maraming rekados at ‘totoong’ miki naman ang balak iluto, mas matagal ang proseso nito. Mula sa pamamalengke ng mga sangkap, paggayat ng mga ito, paggisa at mismong pagluluto hanggang sa paghain sa mesa. Ilang oras mo itong iluluto, pagkatapos ay kakainin lamang ito ng ilang minuto.
credit to Lindsay Moe @ unsplash.com
Ganito rin ang pagluluto ng libro.
Para sa pinakamamahal naming mga kliyente na madalas magtanong kung maaari bang i-deliver agad ang kanilang pinagawang libro o anupamang produkto pagkatapos ng 1 o dalawang araw, nais po naming ibahagi ang kumplikadong recipe ng paglilimbag o pag-iimprenta, depende sa kung ano ang inyong pinaiimprenta.
May nauna nang kahawig na artikulo kaming naisulat at maaari ninyong basahin kaugnay ng iba’t ibang proseso na dinadaanan hanggang sa maging libro ang inyong pinagawa.
Nauunawaan naming maliban sa MAGKANO, ang tanong na GAANO KATAGAL ay mahalaga sa inyo dahil mga datos ito na makakapagpahusay ng inyong plano, laluna kung may hinahabol kayong LAUNCH EVENT, o iba pang activitiy na paggagamitan ng inyong pinalimbag.
Sakali man pong hindi pa rin ganoon kalinaw ang usapin kung gaano katagal ang production timeline, unang unang konsiderasyon ay kung may naunang potahe bang niluluto sa kalan at kung anong potahe ito. Kung ang naunang potahe ay sobrang komplikado at matagal ilaga, pwede naman itong tanggalin muna sa kalan at isingit ang inyong pinagagawa kung may URGENCY, at tipong brochure o poster o newsletter na iilang pahina lamang at wala pang dalawang araw ay tapos nang itakbo sa OFFSET PRINTING MACHINE.
Una, ang inyong final digital layout file ay dadaan muna sa computer na ipiprint ang images sa isang aluminum plate. Kasama ng plantsa ay isang 4-color progressive proofing na gabay ng operator sa mga kulay na hahabulin. Progressive ang tawag nito dahil pinapakita nito ang lapat ng tinta mula sa 1 color muna (cyan), madadagdanan ng ikalawang kulay (magenta), ikatlo (yellow) at sa kahulihulihan ay black.
Ang plate o plantsa ay isasakay ng operator sa OFFSET machine at aayus-ayusin ang mga alignment, pahid ng tinta at iba pang kemikal para makuha ang tamang lapat ng kulay sa papel batay sa progressive proof.
Ang tawag ng mga operator dito ay “sine-setting” ang makina. Kung mamadaliin kasi ang pagse-“setting”, lalabas na parang blurred at hindi crisp ang inyong images at pati na rin ang mga text. Ang pagsesetting ang isa sa pinakamatagal na proseso sa pag-iimprenta.
Kapag ayos na ang setting, patatakbuhin na lang ng tuloy tuloy ang makina hanggang sa maubos ang papel na nakalaan. Kaya dito mauunawaan ninyo kung bakit cost-effective ang long-run o higit 1,000 na kopya ng libro o brochure, dahil pagkatapos ng inisyal na setting, mabilis na ang paggigisa ng kulay sa papel na pinili niyo.
Matapos malimbag ang inyong libro o newsletter o anupamang publikasyon, dadaan ito sa post-press na ang tagal o bilis ay depende sa kumplikasyon ng pinagagawa at disenyo.
Kung pansit o humba o kare-kare (matagala palambutin ang tuwalya ng baka) ang lulutuin, nasa ibaba ang tantiyang panahon na igugugol sa paglilimbag ng inyong mga materyales:
Ipinagpapalagay na malinis na malinis na layout file ang naipasa sa imprenta at wala nang mga koreksyon o editing na gagawin pa. Ang mga ito ay mga karaniwang timeline at hindi kinokonsidera ang mga posibilidad ng brownouts, o ECQ policies at iba pang di pangkaraniwang mga kaganapan.
Kung meron kayong katanungan na hindi nasagot sa artikulong ito o iba pang artikulong nakalimbag dito sa aming website, mangyari lang pong pasahan kami ng mensahe sa aming inbox sa facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernVoicesPrintingPress/inbox. Maraming salamat sa pagbabasa!
Ang bunso ng SARANGGOLA BOOKS Aklat Pambata ng SVPP
Pagkatapos ng limang taong patlang, nais namin ipakilala sa inyo ang pinakabagong dagdag sa koleksyong SARANGGOLA BOOKS ng SVPP ngayong 2021, ang Sayaw ng Pantaronna isinulat ni Janine Dimaranan at iginuhit ni Ilena Saturay. Tungkol ang munting kwentong ito kay Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay at sa makasaysayang laban ng mga Manobo ng Davao del Norte at Bukidnon noong 1994 para ipagtanggol ang lupang ninuno laban sa isang malaking kumpanya ng logging.
Ano ang Saranggola Books?
Ang Saranggola Books ay isang kalipulan ng mga kuwentong pambata ng Southern Voices Printing Press (SVPP). Ipinangalan ito sa “saranggola”, isang laruang pinalilipad sa langit, tangay-tangay ng hangin upang maging simbolo ng magaan at malayang buhay ng mga kabataang Pilipino, sa pamamagitan ng malayang pag-iisip. Tangay din ng saranggola ang mga mithiin ng mga batang mambabasa para sa kasalukuyan at hinaharap.
Taong 2011 nang ilimbag ng SVPP ang Barako Baraking ni Cindy Dizon-Gealogo sa ilustrasyon ni Archie Geotina tungkol sa isang tatay na gumagampan ng gawaing nanay dahil OFW ang ina ng batang nagsasalaysay; at ang Jamin: Ang Batang Manggagawa ni Jamin Olarita at Amado V. Hernandez Resource Center sa ilustrasyon ni Vernald Magpusao na tungkol naman sa buhay-manggagawa ng isang bata sa Sasa Port sa Davao City. 2013 naman nang ilimbag ang akdang ‘Nay, ‘Tay, Itim na po ang Dagat na isinulat at iginuhit ni John Paul Clemente tungkol sa pagkamatay ng kaibigang dolphin at puno ng bida, dahil sa lason ng kompanya ng mining at illegal na pagpuputol ng mga puno sa Bicol City. Ang pinakahuling limbag naman sa koleksyon ay ang May Mumu sa Loob ng Computer na isinulat at binigyang disenyo ng DM9 JaymeSyfu katuwang ng Gabriela Inc. Isa itong gabay sa mga guro at magulang upang maipaliwanag at protektahan ang mga bata sa online harassment at cybersexual abuse sa mga bata.
Katangi-tangi ang mga munting aklat ng Saranggola Books dahil sa mga ginintuang aral na inilalahad ng mga akda na siyang kayang magbigay gabay sa paghubog hindi lamang ng isip (pagbilang at pagbasa) ng isang bata ngunit maging ng kaniyang EQ o “emotional intelligence” sa pamamagitan ng pag-papaabot ng mga kuwentong pupukaw sa kanilang pakikipagkapwa-tao. Ang hatid ng Saranggol Books ay hindi lamang dunong pang-akademiko kundi isang mahiwagang balon ng social values na maaaring gamitin ng bata sa pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay.
Tulad ng mga unang inilathala ng SVPP sa ilalim ng SARANGGOLA BOOKS – mula sa karanasan ng isang batang may OFW na ina, at pagiging batang-manggagawa sa syudad, maging ang musmos na danas sa lugar ng development aggression at sexual harassment sa internet – ay mapakikinggan natin sa Sayaw ng Pantaron ang kuwento ni Liway, isang batang Manobong nagtatanggol ng kanilang lupang ninuno. Magbibigay ito ng kapasidad sa ating mga anak, pamangkin, estudyante, atbp. na makinig sa kuwento ng ibang batang malayo o malapit man sa sarili ang danas sa buhay.
At tulad din ng naunang apat na aklat, na nagbalik sa mga kabataan (PAI, Salinlahi), kababaihan (Gabriela) at organisasyon para pagtutulungan sa panahon ng kalamidad (TABI) gamit ang bahagi ng kita sa mga aklat, ay ganoon din ang sa bagong aklat na ilalathala. Ang Sayaw sa Pantaron ay may direktang ambag sa Save our Schools Network para sa patuloy na pagtaguyod sa karapatang makapaaral ng mga batang lumad. ***
Ang International Standard Book Number o ISBN ay isang katangi-tanging numerong nagmamarka sa isang publikasyon. Kahit magkatulad ang pamagat at nilalaman ng dalawang uri ng aklat, halimbawa, nagkakaiba lamang sa edisyon o porma ng paglilimbag — e-book, paperback o hardcover na mga kopya ay magkakaroon ng magkakaibang ISBN.
halimbawa ng ISBN barcode ng librong inilathala sa US
Iba-iba ang paraan ng pagkuha ng ISBN sa bawat bansa, batay sa laki ng industriya ng paglalathala. Sa Pilipinas, ang Bibiolographic Services Division sa ilalim ng Pambansang Aklatan o National Library ang namamahala sa pagtatalaga ng ISBN. Para sa hakbang-hakbang na paraan sa pag-apply ng ISBN, bisitahin ang website na ito: http://web.nlp.gov.ph/nlp/?q=node/645.
Kung ikaw naman ay isang indie publisher (pinaikli ng salitang “independent”, ibig sabihin ay ang author na rin ang publisher), huwag mag-alala, dahil ang paghingi ng ISBN para sa iyong libro ay libre batay sa Public Advisory No. JET-02 dated March 22, 2021. Maliban dito, online ang buong proseso at mabilis silang tumugon.
Kung ang copyright page ng iyong libro ay isinulat sa Filipino, tandaan lamang na ang ‘publisher’ ay TAGAPAG-LATHALA, samantalang ang ‘printer’ ay TAGALIMBAG. Kaya kung isinulat ninyo sa copyright page na ang libro ay “Inilimbag ng ___” (printed by ___), hindi kayo mabibigyan ng ISBN at sa halip papayuhan kayong palitan ito ng “Inilathala ng (o ni) ____” (published by ____).
Kasabay ng pagsumite ng application form bilang bagong publisher, at application form para sa ISBN ng isang libro, ang pangangailangang i-attach ang cover page, title page, at copyright page ng aklat.
Matapos makakuha ng ISBN, maaari nang gumawa ng barcode gamit ang itinalagang ISBN gamit ang mga libreng app tulad ng free barcode generator na ito: https://www.free-barcode-generator.net/isbn/. Ang barcode ay isinasama sa back cover design ng iyong publikasyon. Kung meron pa kayong mga katanungan, maaari kayong makipag-ugnayan sa ISBN agency sa email: isbn@nlp.gov.ph.
Hindi kasing kumlikado ng ISBN ng librong nilathala sa US ang ISBN ng librong nilathala sa Pilipinas. Ito ay halimbawa ng ISBN barcode ng ANG MUNTING PRINSIPE, na nilathala ng Southern Voices Printing Press.
Maligayang paglalathala at makabuluhang pag-apak sa mundo ng indie publishing* sa bansa.
examples of requests for quotations from dear clients
There are several technical aspects we need to keep in mind when the creative aspect of writing a manuscript is done. When entering the print production stage, most clients request for a quotation for their publication by indicating just the number of copies they require or an estimate of the number of pages of their publication. Southern Voices Printing Press would like to provide these information to those who are already looking into the printing phase after much editorial and layout work has been deliberately finished. This is to guide first-timers into the details of print work.
To get a quotation for your print job, please include the following specifications:
Type of Publication: Ex. book, brochure, yearbook, magazine, etc.
Paper Stock (material of cover and inside pages): Ex. C2S 80, Matt 80, Book 60, etc.
Page Size: Ex. 8.5″ X 11″, A4, 6″ X 9″, 7″ X 10″etc.
Number of Pages: Cover pages always count to 4 pages (front cover, inside front cover, inside back cover and back cover; inside pages count from the first page after the inside front cover, such as a title page, up to the last one before the inside back cover page.
Number of Copies/Quantity: We print using an offset machine which is cost effective at a minimum of 300 copies. The offset printing component of the costs is the same whether you want to publish 300 copies or 1,000 copies. Therefore, the bigger the volume, the lower is your publication’s cost per copy. This is good to know especially for indie publishers who intend to sell their publications. At any rate, SVPP normally preserves your printing plates (aluminum sheets which contain the images of your pages), so if you need to have second (2nd) or third (3rd) runs of your successful publication, the cost will be lower than that of the first run.
Color (cover and inside pages): Your cover pages with colored photos are run in full colors, or 4 colors — magenta, cyan, yellow and black. Expect this to be. more expensive than an artfully rendered black and white cover design. Inside pages may be just in black (for novels, for example) or full colors (for annual reports, yearbooks, or presentation materials). Some designs call for 2 to 3 spot colors, carefully mixed by our operator from PANTONE color guides (https://www.pantone.com/hk/en/color-bridge-guide-coated).
Binding: The cheaper binding method is called saddle-stitch binding (staplers in the middle of a spread of pages), usually for publications not more than 40 to 60 pages. Thicker than this, we recommend perfect binding. Much thicker than this, we employ smythe-sewing – -literally sewing the pages!
Cover Finish: For simpler designs, we recommend matte lamination. For extra effects, you may choose to have spot UV lamination or foil stamping on some elements of your cover design. You may also choose to emboss the title of your book on the cover. Covers without any lamination are, of course, prone to scratches and easily damaged.
To those who are considering their budget, SVPP would like to recommend that you choose a cheap kind of paper and print without color so the total cost will lessen. But to those who want their publications to look extra special, consider the design of the layout, the quality of paper, print in full color and hardbound with emboss cover.
Please note we are not a photocopying service. We cannot produce just 1 or 20 copies of your book. Since we use offset printing, the higher the number of copies, the lower the price of the product per piece. The total cost will be higher but if you look into the price per piece, it is much practical to print a lot so you can sell your product at a lower price.
Tulad ng isang kuwento, bago dumating ang mga libro sa iyong palad, bago masilayan ng iyong mga mata ang makukulay na salaysay sa loob ng bawat pahina, ay dumadaan ito sa iba’t ibang mga tauhan bago pa mabili nina nanay at tatay o mairegalo sa iyo ng malapit mong kaibigan. Mula sa proseso ng pagkakasulat hanggang sa paglilimbag ay dumadanas ang libro ng sarili nitong pakikipagsapalaran. Ito ang ibabahagi namin sa iyo ngayon, aming mambabasa, ang kuwento ng mga kuwento.
Mula kay Ginang Manunulat, na siyang gumagawa ng mga karakter at daloy ng banghay, nabubuo ang nilalaman ng ating munting libro. Siya ang iskultor ng mga salita upang magkaroon ito ng hugis, kulay at saysay. Hinuhulma niya ang kuwento sa kaniyang imahinasyon. Kapag masaya na si Ginang Manunulat sa kaniyang akda at handa na siyang mabasa ito ng mas maraming tao ay ipapasa niya ito kay Ginang Tagalapat.
Si Ginoong Tagalapat / Tagadisenyo naman ang mahusay na bubuo sa kaniyang isip kung ano ang magiging itsura ng akda ni Ginang Manunulat. Siya ang maglalapat nito sa papel, pahina kada pahina, sa font at kaanyuan na mapagkasusunduan nila ni Ginang Manunulat. Lalagyan niya ito ng pabalat na naaayon sa sukat na nais. Kapag naisalibro na ni Ginoong Tagadisenyo ang akda sa kaniyang kompyuter, ay tatawagan na niya ang Hepe ng Imprenta.
Ang Hepe ng Imprenta naman ang sasapul sa aabuting presyo ng paglilimbag ng libro. Isasagawa niya ang kaniyang super power na ang tawag ay “quotation”. Dito malalaman nina Ginoong Manunulat at Ginang Tagalapat ang karampatang gastusin ng plate printing at offset printing, kung may kulay o wala ang libro, anong uri ng papel ang gagamitin na nais nilang ilimbag, at ilang kopya ang kanilang nais ipagawa. Kapag nagkasunduan na ang tatlo ay pasisimulan na ni Hepe ang paglilimbag kay Maestro.
Unang darating sa kamay ng Maestro ng Makina ang mga plate sheets na bakal. Dumadaan ito sa proseso na ang tawag ay CTP o computer to plate printing. Kapag nasa kaniya na ang mga bakal na katulad ng nasa layout ni Ginang Tagalapat, ipapakain niya ito sa kaniyang alagang makina upang magluwal ito ng maraming maraming kopya sa papel, tulad ng nasa disenyo ng plate sheet. Mula unang pahina hanggang sa katapusang pahina ay ililimbag ito ni Maestro. Mahusay niyang hahabulin ang mga kulay na nais nina Ginoo at Ginang upang maianak ng mabuti ang librong inaasam.
Pagkatapos kay Maestro ay dadalin ang libu-libong pahina sa MgaBantay ng Bigkisan.
Dito isasalansan ang mga pahina at tutupiin ang mga papel. Kung kakaunting kopya lamang ito ay dadaan ito sa kettle stitch binding o saddle stitch. Dalawang uri ito ng manwal na pagtatahi ng gulugod. Para naman sa maramihang kopya, ang ginagawa dito ay perfect bind. Saka ito ididikit sa cover ng libro na maaaring soft o hard bound.
Kapag natapos na ang libro ay ibabalik itong lahat kay Hepe upang ipa-revise kina Ginang at Ginoo at ipatingin ang natapos na produkto. Kung sa huli’y magkakatugma na ang lahat ng kanilang hiling ay saka pa lamang maibebenta ang mga librong nailimbag. Mula sa imprenta hanggang sa pagbebenta ay marami pang paglalakbay ang gagawin ng mga libro. Ilang bersyon pa ng kuwento ang maaaring ikuwento sa mga kabanatang ito.
Isa sa mga nais naming ibahagi sa iyo ngayon, aming mambabasa, ay ang
katotohanan na ang libro ay hindi lamang gawa ng iisang tao. Nabubuhay sa
maraming maraming kuwentuhan ang lahat
ng kuwentong iyong nababasa’t nahahawakan
sa iyong mga palad.
Southern Voices Books 