The Warner House Press Publishing Process
Warner House Press conforms its practices to IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria. We do not offer an all-inclusive package for a lofty flat fee, but instead start our relationship with an author via editing services if the work has not already been edited. After a free sample, we charge at or below industry standard rates for this service. If the author and WHP find we are a good fit, we then negotiate a publication contract and move on to formatting and publishing the work. Publishing is provided at no upfront cost to the client and our author royalty rates are higher than the industry standard. At any time throughout the process, the author or WHP can exit the relationship with no penalty.
Some manuscripts may already be further along in the publishing process than others, so our editors tailor their process to meet the needs of each individual author. A list of steps for a typical client can be found below, and illustrates the process that each work goes through toward the ultimate goal of becoming a published product both author and editor can be proud of:
Step 1: Acquisition
After reviewing the author’s submitted manuscript, Warner House Press determines if it fits the company’s style and objectives, as well as if its concept has been fully fleshed out for publishing. If both the author and WHP are ready to move forward, the next step begins.
Step 2: Onboarding
The author is provided access to a shared, collaborative location where all editing work will be performed. A Trello board for generating ideas and tracking progress is created, as well as a Slack channel for communication between the author and WHP. As part of this process, both author and editor sign an editing contract. This document limits WHP to only those rights needed for editing, and also spells out the organization’s commitment to confidentiality regarding the work.
Step 3: Editing
Editing services offered by Warner House Press fall into three broad categories: Proofreading, Copyediting, and Developmental Editing. For a full description of these categories, along with current pricing, see the Pricing and Services page. The acquisitions editor usually determines the level of editing required for the manuscript to be published, but authors can also request a specific process be undertaken on their work.
Step 4: Marketing
Marketing usually starts during the editing phase. The author and WHP work together to determine a plan to market each individual book. This plan can include a website, events, social media marketing, and other venues of publicity. WHP charges no extra fee to help develop a marketing plan, but there may be costs to the author for executing the plan (e.g. web design). For more information on pricing, see the Pricing and Services page.
Step 5: Publication Contract
Near the completion of editing, the author and Warner House Press jointly decide if moving to publication is in the best interest of both parties. A contract is negotiated that includes the assignment of rights to WHP for publication. Only those rights that are absolutely necessary for publication are transferred to WHP, and only for the period of time, region and formats agreed upon. We provide resources to educate the author regarding rights assignment and strongly support initiatives such as ALLI’s Copyright Bill of Rights. At this time, the author royalty percentage is determined. It will never be less than 50%, and in some cases will be higher. Royalties are calculated using net revenues.
Step 6: Metadata
Once a contract for publication has been negotiated and signed, Warner House Press will register the author’s copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office. We will also assign ISBNs, determine pricing in coordination with the author, generate ISBN barcodes, and create metadata for the work. These services are provided free of charge.
Step 7: Formatting
After metadata has been created, the book is brought into Adobe InDesign and initial formatting performed. The output is checked to ensure it will be both readable and pleasing to the eye. A work formatted by WHP should aid the reader in understanding and remembering the work. Typographical elements, such as font, color, images, headings, and potential covers are designed collaboratively with the author. For more information and pricing for formatting, see the Pricing and Services page.
Step 8: Distribution
The output from the last two steps is sent to IngramSpark to produce the work in the desired formats. These can include digital (ebook, Kindle) and/or print copies. Distribution is provided at no up-front cost to the author. Instead, Warner House Press earns profits in this area through sales, with the majority of net revenue always assigned to the author.
The purchase and shipping of author copies is also handled during this step. If the author pays the full cost of the printed copies, no percentage of net revenue for WHP is collected for an upper limit of 250 volumes. Only the costs of printing are passed on to the author in these cases and no additional fees are collected until this limit is reached. Print on demand, printed copies sent to bookstores, author copies above the 250 limit, and those paid for by WHP are all subject to royalty percentages agreed upon in the publication contract.
Final Step: Life-cycle Maintenance
Sales, performance, and royalties for the published book are tracked, then adjustments made to marketing plans as necessary. Royalties are disbursed to the author on a quarterly basis. The author is provided online access to current sales information. Corrections are made to the present edition if required, and subsequent editions can be planned. Advertising or tie-ins to the present work are made as part of the marketing plans for other books by the same author or those in the same series.