Author guide
Know what you are buying before you buy it.
Plain answers on editing, rights, pricing and distribution. The things worth understanding before you spend anything on a book.
Read this before you spend anything.
All articles- 01Getting started
How to Publish a Book for the First Time
The decisions that come before the writing: format, budget, timeline and the help you actually need.
- 02Rights and ownership
Do You Keep the Rights to Your Book When You Hire a Publishing Company?
What “you keep every right and every royalty” means in practice, and the questions to ask before you sign any publishing agreement.
- 03Editing
What Type of Editing Does Your Manuscript Need?
Developmental, line, copyediting and proofreading: what each one changes, and the order they belong in.
- 04Getting started
Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: What Actually Changes
Who owns the rights, who is paid first, how long each route takes and how to choose the one that fits your book.
- 05Production
Paperback vs. Hardcover: Which Should You Choose?
Print costs, reader expectations by genre, and when producing both formats is worth it.
- 06Pricing
How Much Does It Cost to Publish a Book?
What moves a quote up or down: length, condition, illustration and format, explained plainly.
FAQ
Short answers, first.
Do I need an ISBN?
For print books sold through retailers, yes. We can register one in your name so you remain the publisher of record.
What is the difference between line editing and copyediting?
Line editing works on style and flow, sentence by sentence. Copyediting corrects grammar, consistency and accuracy.
Should I publish independently or traditionally?
It depends on your goals, timeline and genre. We will talk it through honestly, even if the answer is not to work with us.
What's the difference between a publishing services company and a vanity press?
A vanity press typically keeps your rights, bundles services you may not need, and earns from the author paying rather than the book selling. We charge for the work, add nothing you have not agreed to, and you keep every right and royalty from day one.
Start here
Still have a question?
Ask us directly. We answer honestly, even when the answer is that you do not need us.