Our publishing process!
We are a traditional publisher, so we never ask for or accept money from our authors. As a learning cooperative, an intern from Colorado State University's MFA program or the University of Denver Publishing Institute is assigned to a manuscript as the lead editor and shepherd for the book's publishing lifecycle. The managing editor of NoCo Press is involved every step of the way, guiding the intern and equally engaged with the author.
Our publishing cycle starts in late August, though manuscript submissions are accepted year-round.
Applications to be an intern are accepted June thru August.
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 young adult (YA) or children's book? Please check out Bailiwick Press
Did you write about the American West, nature, land, or civics? Try these folks first: Fulcrum Publishing
If your manuscript is a memoir, adult nonfiction, or adult fiction, we're good to go!
Summer
September-October
November-December
January-February
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 a good fit for us.
Step 3: We meet and discuss
We get together (preferably in person) and discuss your book. Is it ready for editing, or does it need significant revisions first? What do those developmental changes look like? Are you okay with a highly-qualified intern being the lead editor and project shepherd?
Step 4: Interns select their manuscripts
If we decide that your manuscript is ready to proceed, and you decide that we're a good fit for you, then your manuscript is made available to our next intern cohort in August. Interns select the manuscript that they wish to work with, so depending on the number of manuscripts, there is a chance that yours may not be chosen.
Step 5: Meet your intern
The intern who chose your manuscript will reach out to set up a meeting to get to know you and discuss the book, preferably in person. As part of that meeting, the intern will give the author a template author contract to review at their leisure.
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.
March
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.
April-May
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!