From manuscript to launch day
Sixteen steps in four phases. Step through them below. You're the decision maker at every one, and you'll have direct contact with the people doing the work.
Apply and qualify
Steps 1 to 4 are free and happen before any commitment.
01Step 1Application
A short form about you and the manuscript.
02Step 2Manuscript review
Colin reads it. We're looking for strong writing, a clear message, and a book we can sell.
03Step 3Call with Colin
Thirty minutes on your goals, audience, and timeline.
04Step 4Custom proposal
A written plan and a full number for your book specifically. No packages.
Editorial
Two to three rounds with our editors before anything goes to design. Your voice stays yours; the manuscript gets tighter.
05Step 5Editorial meetings
Two to three working sessions on structure and message.
06Step 6Line and structural editing
Your voice stays yours. The manuscript gets tighter.
07Step 7Proofreading
Final pass before design begins.
Design and production
The book takes physical shape: cover, interior, registration, print, and distribution, with you approving each one.
08Step 8Cover design
Built with you, to trade standard, so the book gets picked up.
09Step 9Interior formatting
Typeset for print and converted for EPUB and Kindle.
10Step 10ISBN, barcode, and copyright
Registered in your name.
11Step 11Print setup
Offset with top North American printers, or print-on-demand for shorter runs.
12Step 12Distribution setup
Amazon, Ingram, Barnes & Noble online, Books-A-Million online, and more.
Launch
Everything that gets the book into readers' hands, and what we do after launch day.
13Step 13Creative assets
Book trailer, author website, and launch materials, as scoped in your proposal.
14Step 14Marketing plan
Launch strategy and 30, 60, and 90 day deliverables, as scoped.
15Step 15Final proof approval
You sign off on the physical proof.
16Step 16Launch day
Books in hand. Then we stay in your corner, from launch day up to twelve months depending on the plan.
What it costs, and how the money works
You'll see the full investment and the royalty math before you sign anything.
- Projects typically start at [$X,XXX]
- Quoted individually after we've read your manuscript. The number depends on editing depth, print option, and what's built around the launch.
- Three to five payments
- Most authors spread the investment over eight to nine months.
- Printing quoted separately
- Reviewed on the kickoff call. Offset runs usually start at 500 copies; print-on-demand has no minimum.
- $1 per book to Zion
- You keep everything else, on every copy sold, through every channel.
Questions authors ask before applying
If yours isn't here, put it in the application. Colin answers every one on the first call.
What is hybrid publishing?
The author invests in production and the publisher supplies a professional team and process. Compared with traditional publishing, you keep control, keep your rights, and earn far higher royalties. Compared with self-publishing, you get a book that meets industry standards without doing every job yourself.
Zion follows the IBPA hybrid publisher criteria.
Does my manuscript need to be finished?
To start the publishing process, yes. To apply and have a call with Colin, no. If you're close to finished, apply now and we'll talk timing.
How do you decide what to publish?
Every submission is reviewed. To be accepted it must show strong writing, effective storytelling, clarity of message, marketability, and alignment with our values. We don't publish every manuscript.
How much does it cost?
Projects typically start at [$X,XXX] and are quoted individually after we've read your manuscript. Payments can be split into three to five installments, and many authors spread them over eight to nine months. Printing is quoted separately once the book is ready.
Do I keep the rights to my book?
Yes. You retain full copyright ownership and control over your content and future editions.
What are the royalties?
Zion receives $1 per book sold. You keep the rest, typically 85% or more of net proceeds.
How long does it take?
Four to seven months on average from signed proposal to launch, depending on the editing needed and the print option. We've delivered a book in under 90 days when an author had a hard date, but most projects don't need that.
Will my book be in bookstores?
Your book will be available through Amazon, Ingram, Barnes & Noble online, Books-A-Million online, and other retailers depending on the print option you choose. We help with local bookstore outreach. Placement in national chains is never guaranteed by any publisher.
Will I earn my investment back?
No publisher can guarantee sales. Our job is to position the book and your platform so it has the best possible chance. Authors typically begin to see a return around 700 copies sold.
What kinds of books do you publish?
So far: memoir, non-fiction, theology, devotionals, planners, and children's books. If yours isn't on that list, apply anyway and we'll tell you honestly whether it's a fit.
Ready for step one?
The application takes about two minutes. If it's a fit, you'll hear from Colin within a week.
Free 30-minute callNo obligationReply within a week