THE PUBLISHING PROCESS, DEMYSTIFIED
Publishing your book should feel exciting
not frightening.
Whether you're publishing for the first time or returning after a disappointing experience elsewhere, the process at Dave Palmer Consulting is transparent, collaborative and free of hidden surprises. You'll always know what's happening, what comes next, and what it costs — before you commit to anything.
Free, no-obligation consultation to start
Choose only the services you actually need
Written quote agreed before any work begins
You keep 100% of your copyright throughout
Dedicated point of contact from first call to final upload
PROCESS AT A GLANCE
The journey from manuscript to published book
Every project follows the same five-stage shape — but only you decide which stages apply. Some authors come with a polished manuscript and just need design and upload.
Step
1.
Consultation & quote
Free · No obligation · Always step one
Step
2.
Editing
Developmental, copy or line Optional
Step
3.
Design & formatting
Cover, interior, all formats
Optional
Step
4.
Publication
KDP, Ingram Spark or litho
Optional
Step
5.
Your published book
In print, on Amazon, or both
STEP-BY-STEP DETAIL
What happens at each stage
Every stage is explained below — what Dave's team does, what's expected of you, and how long each typically takes. Nothing should come as a surprise.
Step 1.
Free consultation & tailored quote
WHAT DPC DOES
Listens to your project, goals and timeline
Reviews your manuscript or sample pages
Recommends only services your project genuinely needs
Provides a written, itemised quote within 48 hours
WHAT YOU DO
Tell us about your book and your publishing goals
Share your manuscript, or as much as you have
Ask any questions — no question is too basic
Review the quote at your own pace — no pressure
TIMINGS & NOTES
The consultation takes 30–60 minutes by phone or video. A written quote follows within 48 hours. There is no commitment at this stage — take as long as you need to consider it.
Always included · Free
Step 2.
Editing — developmental, copy and line
WHAT DPC DOES
Developmental: structure, pace, arc and argument
Copy: consistency, clarity, tone and style
Line: sentence-level refinement, keeping your voice
Returns manuscript with tracked changes and notes
WHAT YOU DO
Submit manuscript in Word (.docx) format
Review tracked changes and editorial notes
Accept, reject or discuss any suggested changes
Return approved manuscript for the next stage
TIMINGS & NOTES
Turnaround depends on manuscript length and editing level. A typical 80,000-word novel takes 2–4 weeks per editing pass. Proofreading follows as a separate final stage after all editing is complete.
Optional · Choose one or all three
Step 3.
Proofreading, cover design & interior formatting
WHAT DPC DOES
Proofreads final manuscript before typesetting
Designs bespoke cover for all required formats
Typesets and formats interior for print and digital
Exports press-ready files to KDP & Ingram specs
WHAT YOU DO
Share design ideas, references and brand assets
Review cover concepts (up to 3 revision rounds)
Approve the final interior layout proof
Confirm formats: paperback, hardback, Kindle, etc.
TIMINGS & NOTES
Cover design: 1–2 weeks from brief to final approval. Interior formatting: 3–7 days once the proofread manuscript is received. Final files delivered in all required formats simultaneously.
Optional · Individual services available
Step 4.
Publication — KDP, Ingram Spark or litho print
WHAT DPC DOES
Sets up or accesses your KDP / Ingram Spark account
Uploads all files, configures metadata, ISBN & pricing
Selects categories and keywords for discoverability
For litho print: manages print run and quality checks
WHAT YOU DO
Provide access to your KDP / Ingram Spark account
Confirm pricing, royalty settings and territories
Review and approve the listing before it goes live
For litho: confirm print run quantity and delivery
TIMINGS & NOTES
KDP goes live within 24–72 hours of submission. Ingram Spark takes 3–5 business days. Litho print: typically 2–4 weeks from approved files to delivery, depending on run size.
Optional · Each platform a separate service
Step 5.
Your book is published — and you own it completely
WHAT DPC DOES
Book listed on Amazon, in libraries, in retail — wherever you chose
100% of royalties paid directly to you by the platforms
Full copyright and publishing rights retained entirely by you
No ongoing fees, no revenue share, no lock-in of any kind
WHAT YOU DO
DPC remains available for questions, updates and future projects
New editions, price changes and new formats can be added any time
Many authors return with their next book — we'd love to help again
The finish line
YOUR DEDICATED POINT OF CONTACT
You'll never wonder what's happening with your book
One contact. The whole way through.
From the first consultation to the final upload, you work with a single dedicated contact at DPC — not a ticketing system, not a rotating team, not an account manager who disappears after onboarding. You have a direct line to the person responsible for your project, and you use it.
Dave Palmer oversees every project personally. On larger or more complex projects, a trusted specialist — editor, designer — may be brought in for specific stages.
What to expect during your project
Project updates by email at each stage milestone
Phone or video calls at key decision points
Responses to queries within one working day
Tracked changes and revision notes with every edited draft
Nothing published or submitted without your approval
A clear project timeline agreed at the start
YOUR RIGHTS & OWNERSHIP
Your rights are yours. Throughout. No exceptions.
This is not small print. Every one of these commitments applies to every client, on every project, regardless of which services they engage.
You own the copyright
Your words, your intellectual property. DPC's involvement in editing, designing or publishing your book transfers no rights of any kind to us. The copyright is yours
from first draft to thousandth reprint.
You keep all royalties
Every penny of royalties from Amazon KDP, Ingram Spark or any other platform goes directly to you. DPC charges a one-time service fee — we take no ongoing cut of
your earnings, ever.
You choose where it's sold
There is no lock-in to DPC's distribution channels. You decide which platforms, which territories and which retailers your book appears in. You can change any of that
later — it's your book.
You control future editions
Second edition, new cover, audiobook, translation — all yours to pursue freely. DPC has no say in and no stake in what you do with your book after our work together
is done.
No ongoing contract
There is no rolling contract or subscription after your project is complete. You pay for the services agreed in your quote. Once delivered, our formal engagement ends
— though we're always happy to help again.
Everything in writing
Your quote, the scope of work and all agreed terms are in writing before work begins. No verbal-only commitments, no retrospective additions. What's written is what's done.
PRICING & QUOTES
Transparent pricing — no surprises, ever
Every project starts with a free consultation and ends with a written, itemised quote. You'll know exactly what you're paying for before you agree to anything.
Step
1.
Book your free consultation
A 30–60 minute call to discuss your manuscript, your goals, and which services make sense. No charge, no commitment.
Step
2.
Receive your written quote
Within 48 hours you'll receive a clear, itemised written quote. Every service is listed separately with its cost. No bundled fees, no ambiguity.
Step
3.
Adjust if needed
If you'd like to add, remove or swap a service after seeing the quote, just say so. The quote is a starting point for a conversation, not a take-it-or-leave-it offer.
Step
4.
Agree and begin
Once you're happy, you confirm in writing and work begins. The agreed price is fixed — no additions mid-project without your express approval.
PROCESS FAQS
Questions about the process
-
What if I only have a partial manuscript?
That's completely fine — many authors consult us before their manuscript is finished. We can discuss the project at any stage and advise on what makes sense to plan for. You don't need a finished book to have a conversation.
-
How long does the whole process take?
For a full journey (editing through to KDP publication), typically 8–14 weeks depending on manuscript length and revision rounds. Design-and-publish only projects can be completed in 3–5 weeks.
-
Can I change my mind about a service mid-project?
Yes. If you decide to add a service, we'll quote for the addition separately. If you remove a service before it's begun, we'll adjust your invoice accordingly.
-
Do I need to set up my own Amazon KDP account?
Yes, absolutely. You retain 100% of your copyright and publishing rights. Dave Palmer Consulting is a service provider — we never take ownership of, or a share in, your work.
-
What file format should I send my manuscript in?
Microsoft Word (.docx) is preferred for editing and proofreading. If you're working in another format, get in touch — it's rarely a problem and we'll advise on the best path forward.
-
What if I'm not happy with the cover design?
Cover design includes up to three rounds of revisions as standard. If after three rounds the design still isn't right, we'll have a call to understand what's missing and find a solution. We won't deliver a cover you're not proud of.
A free consultation costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
Now you know how it works.
Let's talk about your book.
The first step is a free, no-obligation consultation — a conversation about your manuscript, your goals, and what your book actually needs. No packages, no pressure, no commitment until you're ready.
