Our Book Publishing Process
What we consider when evaluating a project:
OUR ACQUISITIONS PROCESS
Step 1: Submit Your Manuscript
All submissions are reviewed. If the acquisitions manager thinks your project could potentially be a fit for Indigo River, we’ll schedule a meeting to learn more about you (the author!) and your project.
Step 2: Meet the Author
A 15-minute phone call with an acquisitions manager to learn more about you as the author and your vision for your project.
Once a secondary, more in-depth review is completed and the acquisitions team feels your manuscript is a good fit for Indigo River, it will be given to the Acquisitions Director for approval. If approved, the author will meet with the Acquisitions Director on another call to learn more about our processes and your goals/vision.
Step 3: Get Approved
If the Acquisitions Director feels your project is a fit for Indigo River, it will be presented at the next available Partners Meeting, at which time the team will determine which projects to offer publication.
If the team decides to offer an author publication on their project, the author will receive a proposal and meet with the Acquisitions Director to sign their contract.
Editing & Production Process
What’s included in our partnership + How we work with you
✍️ MULTI-LAYER EDITING
All authors receive a tier three editing process, including development, line and copy editing. Authors will have an Executive Editor, who will be hands on for the full developmental process working with the author and then will oversee the project until all phases of editing are complete.
After the Developmental Edit is completed, the author will be connected with a Lead Editor to go through a full line editing process.
At each phase of editing the author works collaboratively with their editor to go through the full manuscript to ensure that it is structurally sound and reads really well from start to finish, and that the author’s voice is not lost anywhere along the way.
Once the author signs off on the line edited manuscript, a copy edit will be completed. A copy editor will review the manuscript for clarity, conciseness, and consistency, and correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation to prepare it for design.
🎨 CUSTOM BOOK DESIGN
Our design team will collaborate with the author to create a custom cover design (front, back, and spine), in addition to the interior layout for both print and e-book.
Based on the author’s research and ideas along with the designers’ research and expertise, they will create two or three mock designs. From there the team will collaborate with the author to perfect the cover to best represent the book for the market.
After the cover is completed, the design team will complete the full Interior layout for both print and e-book.
SUBMIT YOUR MANUSCRIPT
We welcome submissions from both new and previously published authors. If you are ready to publish, please read our submissions guidelines. All genres are considered.
🚀 DISTRIBUTION & LAUNCH STRATEGY
Book distribution is a crucial aspect of publishing. Distribution refers to the process and logistics of making your book available to the customer.
All books are put into wide distribution and made available to bookstores, retailers, schools, and libraries both nationally and internationally. All e-books are distributed through Simon & Schuster and will be placed on S&S’s website.
Authors will have two types of distribution options:
1. Distribution with a print run will be distributed by Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster is a major international publishing company that offers a broadened reach through their distribution channels and includes being included in the Edelweiss catalog.
2. Distribution by Print on Demand (POD) will be put into wide distribution through Ingram/Lightning Source
Ingram/Lightning Source is generally regarded as the largest book distributor in the world, Ingram specializes in print books and reaches more than 39,000 stores. Ingram is also one of the largest and best-known wholesalers in the world.
📣 MARKETING & SUPPORT
Indigo River Publishing offers authors three levels of marketing support, tailored to meet you where you are in your publishing journey:
1. Marketing Guidance
Receive expert-driven marketing insights via detailed plans and documentation. These resources are created by publishing professionals to help you build your audience, increase visibility, and gain confidence in your promotional approach.
2. Trade Marketing
Trade support provided by Indigo River includes:
- Outreach for trade media reviews
- Placement of your book on NetGalley
- Creation and distribution of a press release via PR wire on your book’s release date
- Inclusion in Indigo River’s monthly newsletter
- Targeted digital advertising campaigns
3. Author Liaison Program
- Authors are assigned a dedicated Author Liaison to work with one-on-one during both pre- and post-launch.
- Your liaison will help develop and execute a personalized marketing strategy tailored to your goals and support team.
Our approach is collaborative. Whether you’re new to promotion or already have a team in place, we’ll help you amplify your voice and extend your reach.
“Working with Indigo River Publishing has been a dream come true. After I self-published the first book in my fantasy series, I quickly realized how much value there was in collaboration and having a partner in this space. I’m thrilled to have found the perfect home for my series and the partnership in Indigo River Publishing. From day one, the entire team has been wonderfully supportive. I have felt that my voice has been heard and that each of them truly care about my success as an author. I look forward to seeing our partnership continue to grow!”
Brittany Ranew is a fantasy author who enjoys bringing humor, bravery, love and whimsy into everything she does. In her debut fantasy series, she infused her passion for music, theater, and big city dreams into an imaginative tale full of magic, adventure and dark prophecies.
“Working with Indigo River Publishing has been a phenomenal experience. I truly feel like a partner in the process and that my voice and opinions are heard. It’s a collaborative process from start to finish, and I greatly appreciate having input on the book cover and design. My experience has been extremely positive. I’m currently working on my second book with Indigo River Publishing, and I’m crossing my fingers for a third.”
Joanne Hatfield is an award winning speculative fiction author whose work blends rich worldbuilding, emotional depth, and retro futuristic imagination. Author of Ghost of Nostalgia, she draws inspiration from classic and obscure science fiction, video games, and the strange, vivid dreams that linger long after waking.
“I self-published four books over ten years, including one that achieved multiple international award recognitions, so I wasn’t a novice when I partnered with Indigo. Our relationship over the past two years has exceeded my high expectations with every step of the publication process. The quality and timeliness of communication with these experienced and talented professionals has been truly outstanding. I recommended them without hesitation or qualification.”
Larry Gildersleeve is an award winning novelist and former corporate executive based in Kentucky, with more than a decade of publishing experience. His novel Blue by You earned a Bronze Medal at the 2023 Illumination Awards and was a finalist in the Eric Hoffer and Writer’s Digest competitions. His most recent novel, For the Love of Charley Chaplain, was released in late 2025.
Final Note To Authors
Our proven publishing process—from acquisition to editing, design, distribution, and marketing—is built to bring your vision to life. We’ll guide you every step of the way, helping you launch a high-quality book that reflects your voice and purpose.
Work with Indigo River Publishing