Our publishing process!
We are a traditional publisher, so we never ask for or accept money from our authors. To maintain that separation, we are not available to hire for editing services or other writing assistance.
(However, we can be hired to lay out and print a family history or private manuscript for personal use without an ISBN or any kind of retail distribution or promotion.)
We do not tolerate the use of A.I.-assisted or computer-generated writing.
Typical book timeline: 1 year
Wait!
Did you write poetry? Please check out Wolverine Farm Publishing
Did you write a romance? Try these folks first: 5 Prince Publishing
Did you write a YA or children's book? Please check out Bailiwick Press
If your manuscript is a memoir, adult nonfiction, adult fiction, or regional history, we're good to go.
1-2 months
3-4 months
1-2 months
1-2 months
Step 1: Call, text, or email us
Please talk to us first to make sure that your book and your ability to be highly involved are a good fit. The first question we ask is: Do you want to be published to make money, or do you want to be published so that people read your stuff?
Step 2: Send us your manuscript
Please send only completed manuscripts, a 1-2 paragraph synopsis, and short author bio. Please don't send a cover letter, market analysis, etc. We'll read your manuscript and decide if it's ready to proceed, or if it needs more work.
Step 3: We meet and discuss
We get together (preferably in person, with our interns, but Zoom is okay) and discuss your book. Is it ready for editing, or does it need some significant revisions first? What do those developmental changes look like?
Step 4: Author contract
If we decide that your manuscript is ready to proceed to editing, and we've agreed on a good path forward, authors are asked to sign a contract.
(If your manuscript needs significant revisions, work on it and go back to Step 2.)
Step 5: First rounds of editing
We begin our first rounds of reviewing and editing by multiple people (the managing editor, interns, other authors). The author should be fairly responsive by email or text (within a day) to answer questions or discuss concerns.
Step 6: Think about book trim size, cover design
While we edit your manuscript, we also start to think about book trim size, length, paper, cover design, layout, blurbs, etc. The author needs to be very involved in this process. Writers are welcome to provide original outside artwork for their covers.
Step 7: Meet and discuss editing
Get together (again, preferably in person) and discuss the status of the manuscript thus far. Does the author need to write more or make revisions? Is it ready to load into the book software, lay out, and order proof copies?
(If your manuscript needs some more work, go back to Step 5.)
Step 8: Lay out manuscript in book software; second round of editing
Upload the manuscript into the book software and begin the second round of editing and proofing by multiple people, this time with an eye for widows, orphans, and text appearance and readability.
Step 9: Review print-out proofs; the author files for a copyright
Everyone reviews print-outs of the book and cover, making changes as needed. As per the contract, the author files for a copyright for their work (we can help with this).
Step 10: Order proof copies of book
When everyone, most especially the author, is satisfied with the book and cover, we upload the files to the printer, wait a couple days for their review and printing proofs, then order 15-20 copies of the book, with a "Proof copy - not for sale" banner on the cover. They will arrive in about two weeks.
Step 11: Review the proof copies
The author asks 5-10 friends to read the book thoroughly; we encourage them to mark-up and dog-ear the book as they go. At the same time, our interns and volunteer author-readers are also reading and evaluating. After 3-4 weeks for reading time, everyone provides their feedback to the managing editor -- this can be done in person over coffee, via email, or in a phone call.
Step 12: We meet and discuss
We get together (preferably in person, with our interns, but Zoom is okay) and discuss the anonymized feedback. This is a long discussion, and authors need to be open to the possibility that some significant revisions might be necessary.
1-2 months
Step 13: Make changes
Changes are discussed and entered into the book file and cover design; typos and grammar are fixed, and the layout is adjusted accordingly.
Step 14: Review print-out proofs
Everyone reviews print-outs of the book and cover, making changes as needed.
Step 15: Assign ISBNs
We assign ISBNs to the book for the paperback and e-book formats.
Step 16: Order second proof copies
When everyone, most especially the author, is satisfied with the book and cover, we upload the files to the printer, wait a couple days for their review and printing proofs, then order the second proof copies of the book. They will arrive in about two weeks.
1-2 months
Step 17: Review the second proof copy
The author, managing editor, interns, and volunteer author-readers carefully read the second proof copy of the book. Ideally, it should be ready to convert to sale.
(If changes are needed, go back to Step 13.)
Step 18: "Activate" book in the distribution catalog
If everything looks good in the second proof copy, the book can be "activated" for sale in Ingram Spark's worldwide book distribution catalog. We will discuss how many books to order to have on hand, and the author's and publisher's web sites can put up links to order.
Step 19: Author web site and social media
The author makes sure that their web site is clear and concise, with up-to-date book information and links to buy. The author also needs to join various social media platforms to promote their book and engage with readers.
Step 20: Book signings, promotion, and continual outreach!
Now that the book is available for bookstores to order, we start to schedule book signings and promotional events. This step should last for years!