Questions to Ask a Publisher

Choosing a publisher or self publishing service provider is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Everyone has advice, everyone sounds confident, and somehow you still do not know who to trust. This guide is written for authors who want to publish professionally without being rushed, confused or sold a dream wrapped in a glossy invoice.

Before you pay a deposit, approve a quote or sign any paperwork, you need to ask the right questions. A good publisher will welcome these questions because informed authors make better publishing partners. If a company gets offended because you asked who owns your book files, that is useful information. If you are still learning how the publishing process works, you can also read what self publishing means.

A trustworthy publisher or self publishing company should have a visible track record, clear contact details, real examples of completed books, a professional website, transparent services and reviews from past authors. Trust is not built through big promises. It is built through evidence. Look for published projects, Google reviews, author testimonials, sample work and a willingness to explain the process clearly. Ask directly: Can I see examples of books you have worked on, reviews from past authors and a clear breakdown of your publishing process?

Some new authors think publishing means handing over a manuscript and returning later to find a perfect book. In reality, the author must stay involved. Your publisher can guide the process, but you still need to review edits, approve the cover, check the layout and make decisions that affect the final book. A professional publishing process works best when the author is present and responsive. When the editor returns your manuscript, read the comments carefully. When the designer sends a cover draft, check if it speaks to your genre and audience. When the typesetter sends the interior, check spelling, page order, names, dedications and acknowledgments.

Marketing is the work of helping readers discover and buy your book. It can include social media campaigns, email announcements, book launch support, press releases, author websites, paid ads, bookstore outreach and content creation. The important question is what exactly is included, for how long, on which platforms and with what expected deliverables. Ask for a written breakdown. Does the quote include marketing, or only production? Authors should also be ready to market their own books because no one can speak about your story with the same conviction as you.

Editing is one of the most misunderstood parts of publishing. Professional editing can include proofreading, copy editing, structural editing, language editing or manuscript evaluation, depending on what the book needs. A proper editing quote usually depends on word count, genre, manuscript condition and the level of editing required. A responsible editor needs to see the writing before confirming the editing scope. Ask: Is editing included? What type of editing? How many rounds? Will I receive tracked changes? Authors who need manuscript polishing can review professional copy editing services.

This question sounds simple, but it saves many awkward conversations. Some publishing packages include a few printed author copies. Others include only editing, design and print ready files. What matters is clarity. If a package says "publish your book", ask whether that means you receive printed copies or only digital files. Ask how many copies are included, what size, whether they are paperback or hardcover, whether delivery is included and what extra copies will cost. For authors planning launches or direct sales, book printing should be discussed early.

Getting a book into physical bookstores is not the same as printing a book. Bookstores often have buying processes, supplier requirements, discount expectations, return policies and limited shelf space. No ethical company should casually promise national bookstore placement. In South Africa, many self published authors sell more successfully through direct sales, launches, speaking events, churches, schools, corporate networks and social media. Ask whether the publisher offers bookstore distribution, bookstore submission support, online listing support or only print ready files.

You need to know what you are paying, when you are paying it and what is included. A professional quote should be clear enough for the author to understand without needing a publishing dictionary. Upfront fees are not automatically suspicious. The danger is a low attractive fee followed by aggressive upselling, unclear extras or surprise charges. Ask for a written quote that lists deliverables, exclusions, payment terms, revision rounds, file ownership, printing quantity and any optional extras.

This question is about long term control. Some publishing models charge upfront for services and the author keeps future royalties. Other models take a percentage of book sales. Neither model should be hidden. For many self published authors, paying for services upfront and keeping royalties directly can be cleaner. If a company wants a share of your royalties, ask what they are doing in exchange for that ongoing share. Ask who receives Amazon, online bookstore or direct sales income, and whether you can access royalty reports.

Contracts are not bad. Confusing contracts are bad. A contract can protect both the author and the publisher by confirming scope of work, payment terms, ownership, timelines, revision rounds, cancellation rules and responsibilities. In self publishing service arrangements, the author should usually retain copyright and ownership of the book's content. If a contract mentions rights, royalties, exclusivity, commission or long term control, read it carefully and consider legal advice. Ask what rights the publisher receives, whether the agreement is exclusive, whether you keep copyright and whether you own the final files.

Authors often think post publication changes are quick because the correction looks small. One word on page 32 can affect the line, paragraph, page flow, table of contents and print PDF. A professional publisher should explain how many revision rounds are included during production and what happens after approval. Changes made before final approval are usually easier. Changes requested after files have been finalised, printed or uploaded online often require a new quote. Ask how corrections should be submitted, and only move to typesetting and layout once your manuscript is as final as possible.

A book can exist in several formats: paperback, hardcover, eBook and audiobook. Each format has different costs, files, design needs and distribution options. Most South African authors begin with paperback because they can sell copies directly at launches, churches, conferences, schools and events. An eBook can be added for wider digital reach. Ask exactly which formats are included in the quote. For a practical comparison, read eBook vs print self publishing.

This is one of the most important questions in the entire publishing process. The author should know whether they will receive the final print ready files after production. These usually include the print ready interior PDF, the print ready cover PDF, the eBook file if created and a high resolution cover image. Years later you may want to reprint, update, list the book elsewhere or move to a different supplier. If you do not have your own files, you may be stuck. Ask whether you will receive the final PDF cover, PDF interior, ePub file and high resolution cover image. Store all files safely in cloud storage and on a backup drive.

Print ready files and design master files are not the same thing. A print ready PDF is the file used for printing. A design master file is the working file created in professional design software. Many professional designers provide final PDFs as part of the project, but do not automatically include the editable master files. The important thing is that the answer is clear before the project begins.

Print on demand means a book is printed only when an order is placed. Instead of printing a large quantity upfront, the platform or supplier produces one copy as needed. It is useful for reducing stock risk and keeping a book available online. However, it often has a higher cost per copy than bulk printing. Authors must compare convenience with profit margin. A useful supporting article is print on demand books in South Africa.

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, often called KDP, is one of the most popular platforms for eBook publishing. However, being on Amazon does not automatically mean readers will find the book. A publisher should explain whether Amazon upload support is included, whether they will format the eBook, who will write the book description, who will choose categories and keywords, and who will control the account. Authors considering Kindle should also review how much it costs to self publish on Amazon Kindle before budgeting.

If your book is uploaded to Amazon KDP, the account should ideally use an email address that you own and can access. Whoever controls the email and login controls the account, pricing, metadata, tax information and royalty reports. A service provider can assist with setup, formatting and uploading, but the author should understand who owns the account. Ask whether the KDP account will be created under your email, whether you will have full login access and whether the publisher will remain only as a support service.

Amazon royalties depend on the format, price, territory and distribution settings. For eBooks, Amazon KDP offers 35 percent and 70 percent royalty options, but the 70 percent option has conditions. For print books, royalties are calculated differently and printing costs are deducted before the author receives earnings. A book selling for a certain price does not mean the author receives that full amount after platform fees, print costs and applicable deductions. Ask the publisher to explain the royalty calculation for your specific book format.

A professional publisher understands that authors are making an emotional and financial investment. Your book may carry your story, your expertise, your family history, your testimony or your business reputation. You are allowed to ask questions. The right publishing partner will explain the process, put costs in writing, respect your ownership, guide you through editing and production, and help you understand what happens after the book is printed or uploaded. Publishing pressure is not professionalism.