MSI Press Blog

    1948-2021 It is with great sadness that MSI Press notes the death of Carl Leaver, CEO of the Press and typesetter and graphic designer  par excellence . Many authors have expressed not only condolences but also a sense of legacy from covers he designed that they love.  Here is his obituary: On August 16, 2021, Carl Don Leaver of San Juan Bautista passed into eternal rest. A forester with the US Forest Service in Idaho and Montana, he turned to nature photography while working in the Bitterroot National Forest. His photographs graced national magazine covers and on a weekly basis the local paper of Hamilton, MT, the Ravalli Republican. He later worked on photography projects for the US Army (AFEES) and taught photography at the New York Institute of Technology in Amman, Jordan. His final career change led him to computer graphics and publishing as co-owner of MSI Press LLC; his many typeset books and book covers have helped MSI Press authors win a large number of ...

  Just a brief overview of who we are -- Of the top 19 publishers in California, MSI Press has been rated as #5. See details  HERE . Of the top 19 publishers of humor in the USA, MSI Press has been rated as #15. See details  HERE . Of the top 19 religious publishers, MSI Press has been rated as #16. See details  HERE . Of the top 19 publishers of parenting books, MSI Press has been rated as #19. See details  HERE . 

  September 02, 2025   It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side. This week we take a small step aside and focus on another narrow topic, one for authors of books that benefit from referencing.  If you're writing nonfiction, memoir, or any work where readers might reference themes, terms, or names, an index isn’t optional—it’s a strategic asset. But what does it cost, who creates it, and how do publishing models affect the process? 💰 What Does It Cost? Typical Rate:  $1,100–$1,500 for ~100,000 words Pricing Basis:  Usually charged per typeset page Timeline:  2–4 weeks for professional completion Rush/Complexity Fees:  Can push the rate higher 🛠️ Who Actua...

  t is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side. This week we look at a couple of troubling situations  we recently encountered. In a familiar but frustrating scenario, one of our titles, listed at $16.95, was suddenly selling on Amazon for $23.25—a 37% markup. Meanwhile, Barnes & Noble continued to list the book at the correct price. The author, understandably, was concerned: he wanted to email his large mailing list with a launch announcement, but linking to Amazon risked alienating readers with sticker shock. Why the price change? At the same time, we had an author whose book usually retails for $24.95 who suddenly found it selling for $10. This made it difficult for her to sell ...

    Today's publisher's pride is  Pathways to Inner Peace  by Diane Dreher, which reached #105 on Amazon's bestseller list for positive psychology. Book Description Patthways to Inner Peace  offers a guiding light of hope in a world too often filled with stress, disconnection, and uncertainty. Blending scientific insight, spiritual wisdom, personal stories, and practical exercises, this book helps readers cultivate peace of mind and deepen their connection—to themselves, to others, and to the natural world. Inspiring and accessible, it’s a companion for anyone seeking greater clarity, calm, and meaning in daily life. Keywords inner peace; mindfulness; emotional well-being; stress relief; spiritual growth; personal transformation; self-awareness; holistic healing; mind-body connection' guided exercises; peace of mind; connection to nature; self-discovery; practical spirituality; daily calm; clarity and purpose; mental health; resilience; inspirational storie...