Choosing a Publishing Partner—A Relationship Built for the Long Haul

Imagine it’s your wedding day.

You’ve picked all the perfect accompaniments: your soon-to-be partner, favorite people, music, food, flowers and wardrobe. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. The joy is palpable.
Now imagine that this wedding is actually your book launch. Picture it. Who is your publisher or publisher-assist team (future partner)?

• • What brand and cover design represent you (colors of your flowers)?
  • Who is your support team (maids of honor or groomsmen)?

Looking for that perfect team for your book is like finding your long-term partner.

This long-term partner will act as your anchor until your book is published or out of print. The value of this relationship will increase over the time your book is in the world. Depending on the communication structure outlined at the beginning of your relationship, you may be speaking to this person multiple times a year to discuss royalties, author copies of your book, marketing tools and many other questions that come up along the journey. With publishing-assist partners like the Aaxel Group, you can choose how much support you want after you publish your book. This flexibility contrasts with traditional publishing, where the publisher typically controls the publishing process and retains significant rights over the work. In hybrid publishing, authors share both the financial investment and decision-making responsibilities with the publisher, blending aspects of traditional and self-publishing models. Therefore, selecting your “book team” becomes crucial, as having someone in your corner will make all the difference.

Here are a few key questions to consider when picking a publisher or a publishing-assist partner:

• Do you have shared values and vision?
  • Does this company’s values reflect your own?
  • Do they listen to your needs?
  • Can they help make your vision come to life?

• Is there transparent communication?
  • How promptly and thoroughly do they address your queries and concerns?

• What is their track record and is it compatible with your genre or brand?
  • Has this company successfully launched books in your genre?

• Do they offer long-term commitment and support?
  • Does this company engage in ongoing marketing and promotional activities after the book’s release?

• Will this relationship be mutually beneficial?
  • Does your project support that company’s mission for growth?

• Do they show flexibility and adaptability?
  • Are they receptive to your ideas and suggestions regarding the book’s development?
  • Do they adjust strategies based on current market dynamics?

• (Optional) Would you ever go on vacation with this person?
• • This may seem like a silly question, but I guarantee it will help directly eliminate the people you are NOT meant to work with.

Reflecting on these expanded questions can help you assess the potential depth and quality of your relationship with a publisher or publishing-assist partner, ensuring it aligns with your long- term goals and values. Writing a book can feel incredibly daunting at times and having the right team around you can truly make all the difference. The learning curve in the publishing world is vast and ever-changing. The right support can make the journey far less perilous.

​About Sharissa Bradley

Sharissa Bradley is the owner of Project Seed Money, an initiative dedicated to empowering female authors by providing resources and guidance to navigate the publishing industry. As a published author and founder of 5 Two Press, LLC, Sharissa is committed to removing gatekeeping barriers and amplifying female voices within the literary community. Beyond her professional endeavors, Sharissa is a homeschooling mother of three, residing in Northern Nevada, where she balances family life with her passion for supporting women writers.​

You can learn more about Sharissa at: www.projectseedmoney.com