DEEP DIVE: The Science of Change

Overview

Tom Somodi is a Milwaukee-based business consultant and founder of the Change Science Institute, a group dedicated to helping leaders, executives, boards of directors, and others navigate change within their organizations. Tom had a wealth of information, writing, and other material that he wanted to compile into a book to support his services and be available for “back of the room” sales to be sold during his speaking engagements and appearances.

How Adams Press Helped

Developmental Editing

Tom Somodi contacted Adams Press on the recommendation of Randy Rollinson, an author and consultant whose book we produced a few years earlier. On Randy’s recommendation, Tom engaged Adams Press (and Ann specifically) to organize several pieces of writing and his other consulting materials into a cohesive book.

Ann and Tom spent several months reviewing Tom’s extensive library of materials and Ann helped him create a linear path through all of it that represented the solutions Tom provides his corporate clients. Ann helped Tom create a singular voice for the book and write (or rewrite) the sections until it was ready for a final edit.

When the manuscript was almost finished, Ann performed one more comprehensive edit and final changes were made.

Promotion and Distribution

Jim helped Tom review his options and select a distributor for his book, paying specific attention to distributors specializing in corporate and organizational titles.

Jim also helped Tom distill the complicated nature of the book to create efficient, persuasive flap copy. Ann then helped Tom shape that copy to best speak to his target audience.

Jim helped Tom identify and request reviews from Tom’s clients and colleagues, as well as from relevant industry names and influencers.

Design and Typesetting

After reading the book and discussing the book with Tom (S) and Ann, Tom (K) designed the interior for the book and typeset the pages. Among other puzzles to be solved, there were several very large tables that spanned multiple pages, and he worked with Ann and Tom (S) to determine how best to place them in the book to be of most use while not interrupting the flow of the book too much.

The distributor engaged by Tom (S) designed a front cover for the book in order to compliment the larger line of releases planned by the distributor for that season. Tom (K) used the design received from their art department to build a print-ready file for the dustjacket, including the imagery from the distributor and copy created by Jim for flap and back cover text.

Manufacturing and Shipping

When the interior and cover of the book were finalized, Tom (K) transmitted the necessary digital files for the interior and dustjacket to the printer. He also sent files representing a die (a custom piece of metal created to emboss the case binding of the book) and the foil stamp (metallic foil that is applied to the case binding, usually in the same regions of the cover as the die. Physical proofs (actual printed versions of the book interior and cover created by the printer and reflective of how the final book will look) were sent, and Tom, Ann, Jim, and Tom (S) all reviewed every page and piece of the book one more time. When the proofs were approved, the printer proceeded with the printing, binding, and finishing of the book.

Book Release

Adams Press was proud to attend one of several book release events (Chicago, Milwaukee, and Florida). Tom Somodi spoke briefly and signed books for colleagues, friends, and family.