FAQs
1. What are the total costs to the author for the editorial work, production, and publication?
Kitsap Publishing is a not-for-pay publisher. This means Kitsap Publishing does not charge to publish your book. However, we decide which manuscripts we accept and publish, and which we won't. Then there are manuscripts we will publish if the author invests in the book's design and layout. We recommend local and international book design and layout firms that offer complete book design services.
The total investment depends on the manuscript length, the level of editorial work required, and the services selected.
A typical memoir project includes:
Editorial Review
Copy Editing
Interior Book Design and Formatting
Cover Design
ISBN Assignment
E-book Conversion (if desired)
Distribution Setup
Publishing Management and Project Coordination
For planning purposes, memoir projects typically range from approximately $3,000 to $10,000+, depending on manuscript length and editorial requirements. Books requiring extensive developmental editing or rewriting can exceed that range.
Reprospace provides a detailed project proposal before work begins so authors know exactly what services are included and what the total investment will be.
2. What does the publication process look like in terms of distribution — specifically, will the book be available through bookstores and libraries, or primarily through online retail platforms such as Amazon?
Kitsap Publishing distributes books through the global Ingram Content Group distribution network.
This means the book can be made available to:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Independent bookstores
Libraries
Universities
International retailers
The book is typically listed in the same catalog used by bookstores and libraries worldwide.
It's important to note that distribution does not guarantee physical shelf placement in stores. Bookstores generally decide which titles to stock based on local demand and sales history.
Most sales for independent memoirs initially come through:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble online
Direct author sales
Speaking engagements
Media appearances
Community and organizational networks
However, libraries and bookstores can order the book through standard industry channels.
3. What is the expected print run, and what royalty structure do you offer?
Kitsap Publishing generally utilizes a Print-on-Demand (POD) model.
This means:
No large upfront print run is required.
Books are printed as orders are received.
Inventory storage costs are minimized.
Books remain available indefinitely.
Authors may also order bulk quantities for events, conferences, speaking engagements, or direct sales.
Royalties
Authors retain ownership of their intellectual property and receive royalties from book sales.
The exact royalty amount depends on:
Retail price
Printing cost
Distribution discounts
Sales channel
For many trade paperbacks, author earnings commonly range between $2 and $8 per copy sold, though higher-priced books may generate more.
Kitsap Publishing can provide projected royalty examples based on the planned page count and retail price.
4. Regarding the six-to-nine-month timeline — can you walk us through what that process looks like month by month, and what the author's involvement would be at each stage?
Month 1 – Discovery and Manuscript Evaluation
Author's involvement:
Submit manuscript
Discuss publishing goals
Review project scope
Approve publishing plan
Publisher activities:
Editorial review
Publishing strategy
Project scheduling
Month 2 – Developmental and Editorial Work
Author's involvement:
Review editorial comments
Clarify facts, dates, names, and references
Revise manuscript as needed
Publisher activities:
Developmental editing
Editorial recommendations
Month 3 – Copy Editing
Author's involvement:
Review the edited manuscript
Approve changes
Publisher activities:
Grammar
Consistency
Fact-checking support
Style editing
Month 4 – Design and Production
Author's involvement:
Review cover concepts
Approve title treatment
Review interior layout
Publisher activities:
Cover design
Interior formatting
E-book preparation
Month 5 – Proofing and Final Review
Author's involvement:
Final proof review
Corrections and approval
Publisher activities:
Final production corrections
Print-ready file preparation
Month 6 – Publication and Distribution
Author's involvement:
Launch planning
Marketing coordination
Publisher activities:
ISBN registration
Distribution setup
Retail listing activation
Metadata optimization
Months 7–9 (Optional Extended Timeline)
For memoirs involving extensive editing, photographs, permissions, endorsements, or marketing preparation, additional months may be used for:
Advanced publicity
Author website development
Press release distribution
Book launch events
Bulk sales opportunities
Library outreach
5. Could you share examples of two or three memoirs you've recently published through Kitsap Publishing, so we can get a sense of the finished product?
Please check out our published book catalog here:
https://my.literary.cloud/catalog?publisher=kitsap-publishing
One additional point that many authors might appreciate hearing:
"Kitsap Publishing's goal is not simply to print a book. Our goal is to guide authors through the complete publishing process—from manuscript to professionally produced book that can be ordered through the same distribution channels used by major publishers—while allowing authors to retain creative control and ownership of their work."
