Hi, I’m Zenia, a dark fantasy author, indie publisher, and a sucker for beautiful books.
When I set out to create a special edition of The Ghost of Midormere, I had a clear vision:
- Gold foiling
- Sprayed edges
- Printed end pages
- A dust jacket
- A book ribbon
I wanted something truly special—something worthy of collectors and fans of The Last Eclipse series. But as I started pricing it out, I realized how expensive that dream could get.
The North American Pricing Problem
I found several North American printers that offered the features I was looking for, but the costs were steep. To break even, I’d have to charge readers more than I was comfortable with. So I kept searching.
Eventually, I stumbled across a site called Book-Printing-Factory.com. The website looked promising, so I reached out for a quote.
Taking a Chance on Sese Printing
They came back with the best price I’d seen so far. But I was cautious—sending thousands of dollars to a company I found on Google isn’t something I take lightly.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find much in the way of reviews. Just one vague mention in a Bluesky post, and not much else. Still, something about the interaction felt right. I trusted my gut and decided to move forward.
And I’m so glad I did.
You can now order the special edition of The Ghost of Midormere here:
👉 zeniaplatten.ca/product/the-ghost-of-midormere-special-edition
My Experience with Sese Printing
The company also goes by Sese Printing, and I worked with a rep named Emily. She was fantastic—friendly, responsive (often replying within 24 hours), and incredibly helpful. Anytime a visual would clarify something, she sent photos or videos without me needing to ask.
They invoiced exactly what they quoted, split into a deposit and final payment once the books were ready to ship. The price included duties and door-to-door shipping.
Paying via wire transfer was a little tricky, mainly because my bank didn’t like the address formatting, but it worked out.
The books were briefly delayed during shipping, but still arrived within acceptable limits—and they are absolutely beautiful. I’m thrilled with the quality and will 100% use Sese again if I get the chance to do special editions for the rest of the series.
That said, I learned a lot in the process, and I want to share that with you.
Tips for Ordering a Special Edition (from Any Printer)
1. Be Specific About What You Want
Especially when working across language barriers, clarity is everything. Start with your ideal specifications—if they can’t do something, they’ll let you know and may offer alternatives.
2. Know the Manufacturing Specs You Need
For reference, here’s what I used for my order:
- Size: 5 x 8 inches (127 x 203mm)
- Cover: 157gsm glossy art paper, full-color printing on one side, glossy lamination + 2mm gray board
- End Pages: 8pp, 140gsm cream paper, no printing
- Interior: 314 pages, 80gsm cream paper, black ink
- Binding: Hardcover with square spine, sprayed edges, ribbon
- Dust Jacket: Yes
- Book Ribbon: Black
- Gold Foil Stamping: Yes
- Packing: Shrink-wrapped
As you can see, there’s a fair amount of jargon. I would be lying if I said I understood it all, but that’s why references are so useful!
3. Don’t Forget the Art Costs
Printed end pages and dust jackets need art! I mistakenly assumed I could do it all myself. In hindsight, I should’ve talked to my cover artist upfront to create complementary designs. When I caved and went to him, he did a wonderful job! (The fabulous Connor McCleary if you’re interested.)
4. Leave Room in Your Timeline
Manufacturing queues are real, and so is international shipping time. Confirm the timeline with your quote and build in at least a month of contingency. Better to under-promise and over-deliver to your readers.
From the time I started making inquiries, to the time I had my books in hand, this process took close to 7 months. This was in part due to the Chinese New Year celebrations where much of China is shut down in January. I would recommending starting your inquiries far in advance of when you’ll need the books, especially as it takes time to get all of the art files just right.
5. Budget for Bulk
The minimum order quantity I was quoted was 500 units. Even with affordable per-book pricing (around $10 per copy), that still added up to thousands of dollars. If you’re short on capital, consider a Kickstarter—but set realistic goals if you’re still building your following.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
This one’s for my fellow introverts. I get it—but don’t be shy. Ask your questions early and clearly. Sales reps want to make sure you’re happy. A simple question now can prevent major issues later.
7. Confirm the Currency
Make sure the quote is either in your currency or that you’re aware of the conversion. Avoid nasty surprises!
Final Thoughts
I had a great experience with Sese Printing and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them. If you’re an indie author dreaming of your own special edition, I hope this post gave you a clearer path forward.
And if you’d like to see how mine turned out…
Click here to grab your copy of the special edition Ghost of Midormere
Thanks for reading, and good luck on your publishing journey!