Publishing Paths

Two models designed for transparency and long-term author control

We offer two distinct publishing models designed for different stages of an author's career and business goals. Publishing Partnership is our primary path for emerging and mid-list authors seeking investment and collaboration. Assisted Self-Publishing serves established authors who prefer to retain complete independence while accessing professional editorial services.

Both prioritize transparency, fair compensation, and author control—but they serve fundamentally different needs.

Assisted Self-Publishing

For established authors. Full control. Professional editorial partnership.

A premium editorial and production service designed for established authors with proven platforms or previous publishing success. You pay for specific services—developmental editing, line editing, cover design, formatting, distribution setup—at flat rates. No revenue share. No ongoing obligation. You retain 100% of royalties and all rights from day one.

This path is ideal if you have an existing readership, understand book marketing, and want professional editorial collaboration without publisher involvement in your business operations.

What's Included

  • Developmental editing (structural and narrative feedback)
  • Line editing (prose-level refinement)
  • Professional cover design by BloodTie Studios design team
  • Interior formatting (print and ebook)
  • Distribution setup (ISBN, metadata, platform uploads)
  • Pre-publication guidance

What You Keep

  • 100% of royalties
  • All rights to your work
  • Complete creative control
  • No ongoing obligations

Pricing

Services are priced individually based on manuscript length and scope. All services backed by BloodTie Studios' professional production team.

Developmental Editing:

  • 65,000 - 80,000 words: $1,800 - $2,500
  • 80,000 - 120,000 words: $2,500 - $3,500

Line Editing:

  • 65,000 - 80,000 words: $1,200 - $1,800
  • 80,000 - 120,000 words: $1,800 - $2,800

Cover Design:

  • Standard genre cover (ebook + print-ready): $800 - $1,200
  • Premium illustrated cover: $1,500 - $2,500
  • Series branding package (3+ books): $2,000 - $3,500

Formatting & Production:

  • Ebook formatting (all major formats): $200 - $400
  • Print interior formatting: $300 - $600
  • Combined package: $400 - $800

Distribution Setup:

  • ISBN, metadata optimization, platform uploads: $300 - $500
  • Ongoing distribution management (monthly): $50 - $100

Complete Package Discount: Authors purchasing developmental editing + line editing + cover + formatting receive 15-20% discount off combined services.

Final pricing determined after manuscript evaluation. Complex manuscripts, rush timelines, or specialized genre requirements may affect rates. All quotes provided in writing before work begins.

Publishing Partnership

We invest. We collaborate. We build careers together.

We invest in your book's editorial development, production, marketing, and distribution. In return, we participate in net revenue during the contract term. Contract length and terms are tailored to your career stage and the book's commercial potential.

This path is selective. We work with manuscripts we believe in and commit editorial, production, and marketing resources accordingly. You benefit from our developmental editing, line editing, design expertise, and marketing infrastructure while building your author platform and career.

Partnership Tiers

Emerging Author Partnership (3-5 years): For debut and early-career authors. We provide full editorial development, production, and marketing support. Rights revert after the initial term. Ideal if you're establishing your platform and learning the publishing business.

Career Partnership (5-7 years, renewable): For authors with 1-2 published titles seeking deeper collaboration. Includes all services plus strategic career planning, series development, and enhanced marketing. Performance-based renewal options available.

Strategic Partnership (Negotiated terms): For established authors with proven sales seeking publisher investment in ambitious projects. Custom terms based on project scope, marketing investment, and long-term catalog building. May include perpetual royalty participation with reversion clauses based on performance thresholds.

What We Provide

  • Full editorial development (structural, narrative, character)
  • Line editing and copyediting
  • Professional cover design and branding
  • Interior formatting (print and ebook)
  • Distribution and metadata management
  • Marketing support (launch strategy, promotions, discoverability)
  • Ongoing author support during contract term

What You Keep

  • Ownership of your intellectual property
  • Rights revert after 3-5 years (contract-dependent)
  • Transparent royalty reporting
  • No automatic renewals or extensions

Revenue Participation

We participate in net revenue during the contract term. Revenue share percentages vary by tier and level of investment:

  • Emerging Author: 50/50 net revenue split during term
  • Career Partnership: 60/40 (author favored) with renewal options
  • Strategic Partnership: Negotiated based on investment level and project scope

All agreements are transparent and explicitly documented. Performance-based adjustments and early reversion clauses are available for books that significantly outperform projections.

Rights Reversion & Extensions

Rights automatically revert at contract end. However, if the partnership is working well and the book is performing, we offer renewal options with improved author terms. You're never locked in beyond the initial agreement, but successful partnerships can continue on mutually beneficial terms.

Selection Process

This path is selective. We evaluate manuscripts based on editorial quality, market fit, alignment with our imprints, and author career goals. Not every submission will be accepted, but if your work is a strong fit, we commit seriously.

Which Path Is Right for You?

Choose Assisted Self-Publishing If:

  • You have an established platform or previous publishing success
  • You understand book marketing and distribution
  • You want to retain 100% of royalties immediately
  • You prefer complete creative and business independence
  • You're willing to invest upfront for premium editorial services
  • You want no ongoing publisher obligations

Choose Publishing Partnership If:

  • You're a debut or early-career author building your platform
  • You want editorial, production, and marketing investment at no upfront cost
  • You value collaborative editorial development and career guidance
  • You're comfortable with revenue sharing during the contract term
  • You want strategic support for series planning and audience building
  • You prefer partnership over doing everything yourself

Ready to Discuss Your Options?

Both paths are designed to respect your work, your rights, and your career. If you're ready to explore which model fits your manuscript, we're ready to talk.

Submit Your Manuscript