Are you ready to publish your book? Self-publishing is the ideal choice for authors seeking complete control over their work, whether you want to retain 100% of your royalties or publish under your own brand. However, achieving professional results requires navigating a steep learning curve. If the process feels overwhelming, we are here to help. We provide the expert guidance and tuition you need to self-publish with confidence and give your book the best possible chance of success.
Escarpment Publishing’s assisted self-publishing option is a way for first-time self-publishers to learn how to self-publish well under the personal guidance of experienced and knowledgeable publishing professionals—all while publishing their first book. After this, they will be able to do it themselves.
In this option, you get 100% of the royalties and your book is published under your own business name (whatever you choose). You have complete control over the finished product, and you still get the benefit of professional advice. Authors choosing this option need to have the expertise to be able to open and navigate online accounts and arrange the business requirements.
Self-Publishing Apprenticeship
If you plan to publish multiple books, our self-publishing apprenticeship makes learning easy. For your first book, use our full-service option to learn the ropes without the stress. For your second, transition to assisted self-publishing. From there, you will have the confidence and experience to self-publish independently.
Who is assisted self-publishing right for?
This service is for people confident in their ability to set up online accounts and follow written and video instructions, and to whom any of the following applies:
- They want 100% royalties;
- They want 100% control over the production and management of their book;
- They want to self-publish using their own name or business name but don’t have time to learn or don’t know where to start;
- They have done some research on self-publishing but they
- are overwhelmed by the enormity of the task and don’t want to do it all themselves, are unsure how to apply what they’ve learned to their own project, need help finding reliable and qualified cover designers, formatters and editors;
- don’t have the time and/or skills to get the files they need in the correct format for uploading to a printer/distributor;
- They don’t have interest or time to research and learn about all aspects of self-publishing.
- They have enough internet skills to be able to open online accounts – including providing financial details for royalty payments and filling in tax forms.
- They can follow written and video instructions within a DIY framework.
What does the author get?
We will give you all the information you need to ensure that your book is published in accordance with current industry standards and best practices. We also process access to further guidance and support should you require it. Specifically we will:
- Arrange editing with a qualified, reliable and reasonably priced editor and proofreader if you haven’t already had the editing done.
- Provide our top-quality, reliable and reasonably priced book designer to provide quality covers and interior files for ebook and paperback for either KDP or Ingram Spark or both.
- Provide access to a publishing assistant should you require someone to do the publishing tasks for you.
- Provide you with training and resource materials – the kind of written and video materials you’d get in a course – which includes:
- Our Self Publishing Handbook with a clear and comprehensive step by step approach.
- Video guides:
- Ebook publication guide,
- How to get your own ISBN,
- How to set up titles on Amazon and Ingram Spark,
- How to upload your files to the Australian National E Deposit scheme. (Secures copyright.)
- A Trello Board Template for project management
- Provide a publishing consultant at a reasonable hourly rate who will answer your questions by email or video call.
What does it cost?
The cost of assisted self-publishing is USD$1499 (AUD$1950), not including editing or optional consultancy and assistant fees (USD$80/hr). Comprised of:
- USD$500 for the Self-publishing handbook, video guide and other resources, plus team organisation, communications and expenses (AUD$650).
- USD $999 (AUD$1350) for the book design.
Other costs:
- Editing. If you haven’t already had editing done, our editing team costs are generally around USD$0.025 – $3 per word for standard editing. (roughly AUD$0.035 – $4 /word)
- The material should enable you to do all the work yourself, but if you need help to do specific tasks, then our consultation and publishing assistance is USD$80/ hour (AUD$100/hour).
Why choose assisted self-publishing?
Navigating the complexities of self-publishing can be challenging, as unknown gaps in knowledge can often impact a book’s final quality. By publishing under our guidance, you will gain the critical insights necessary for success, supported by personalized mentorship from a dedicated professional who is genuinely invested in you and your book.