The phrase “professional book publishing services” can mean very different things depending on the company using it.
One provider may offer little more than formatting and file upload.
Another may provide editing, custom design, print and ebook production, distribution, project management, and marketing.
Both may describe themselves as professional publishing services.
That is why authors should examine what is actually included rather than relying on the label.
MindStir Media offers professional book publishing services that address multiple stages of the journey from manuscript to marketplace.
Here are the major areas authors should evaluate.
Professional Editorial Support
Editing should be at or near the top of the list.
Even a strong manuscript can benefit from professional review before publication.
The type of editing required varies by book, but authors should know what level of editorial support is included and who will perform the work.
A professional service should also give the author an opportunity to review and approve changes rather than removing the writer from the process.
Custom Cover Design
The cover is one of the book’s most important sales tools.
Professional publishing services should provide a thoughtful approach to cover design, ideally based on the genre, intended readership, subject matter, and competitive marketplace.
Authors should ask whether the design is custom or template-based.
There is an important difference.
A custom design is developed around the individual book rather than adapted from a preexisting layout used repeatedly.
Interior Book Design
The inside of the book should receive professional attention as well.
Interior formatting affects readability, page flow, chapter presentation, typography, margins, headings, and the overall experience of reading the physical book.
Complex nonfiction, business books, illustrated titles, and children’s books may require particularly careful layout work.
Professional publishing should account for those differences.
Ebook Conversion
Print and ebooks are not interchangeable files.
An ebook needs to display properly across different screen sizes and reading devices.
Professional ebook preparation should ensure the text, headings, chapter navigation, and other elements function appropriately in a digital environment.
For authors who want both print and ebook editions, this should be clearly addressed in the publishing package.
Distribution
Professional publishing should include a clear path to market.
Authors should understand how their books will be distributed, where they can be purchased, and what retailers or wholesalers can access them.
Distribution can be one of the major differences between publishing independently through a single platform and working with a professional publishing company.
MindStir Media’s book publishing packages are designed to help authors professionally prepare and distribute their titles.
Rights and Royalty Structure
Authors should know exactly what happens to the ownership of their books.
A publishing service should clearly explain copyright, licensing, royalties, and any contractual rights involved.
Never assume these terms are standard across the industry.
They are not.
Read the agreement and ask questions when something is unclear.
Project Management and Author Support
Publishing involves several stages, and someone needs to coordinate them.
Good project management keeps editing, design, production, approvals, and publication moving in the correct order.
This becomes especially important for authors who have never published before.
A professional service should provide a clear point of contact or process so the author understands what is happening and what decisions are required.
Marketing Options
Professional book publishing and professional book marketing are not the same service, but the two are closely connected.
Authors should at least understand what promotional resources are available.
Does the company provide advertising?
Publicity?
Bestseller campaigns?
Social media promotion?
Review campaigns?
Launch support?
A publisher with meaningful marketing capabilities can allow an author to continue working with the same organization after the production stage is complete.
Clear Pricing and Scope
Authors should understand exactly what they are purchasing.
A professional package should describe the services included, the responsibilities of the publisher and author, the payment structure, and any ongoing costs.
Unclear scope creates problems later.
Clarity at the beginning helps establish reasonable expectations for both sides.
A Professional Publishing Package Should Solve Real Problems
The purpose of professional publishing services is not to create a longer checklist.
It is to solve the problems standing between the completed manuscript and the professionally published book.
The author needs qualified editing.
The book needs design.
The files need to be produced correctly.
Distribution needs to be established.
The author needs guidance through an unfamiliar process.
When the services are built around those needs, the package has practical value.
If you would like to see the publishing options available through MindStir Media, you can review our book publishing services or schedule a publishing consultation to discuss your manuscript and goals.