Receive a Professional Review — Submit Your Manuscript for a Complimentary Assessment

FAQs

Our Book Publishing Process

Answers to Your Most Common Publishing Questions

At Black Stone Publishing, we know that starting your publishing journey comes with many questions. Whether you're a first-time author or a seasoned writer exploring new options, our FAQ section is here to guide you through the most commonly asked topics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about our publishing services and process.

We offer comprehensive publishing services including professional writing and ghostwriting, editing and proofreading, book design and formatting, publishing and distribution, marketing and promotion, and professional printing services. Our end-to-end approach ensures your book receives expert attention at every stage.

The timeline varies depending on your project's scope and requirements. A complete publishing project typically takes 3-6 months from manuscript to market. Writing projects may take 4-8 months, while books that only need editing and design can be completed in 6-12 weeks. We provide detailed timelines during consultation.

Yes, you retain full ownership and rights to your book and intellectual property. We provide publishing services while you maintain complete control over your work. All copyrights, royalties, and publishing rights remain with you throughout and after the publishing process.

We work with authors across all genres including business books, memoirs, fiction, non-fiction, self-help, academic texts, children's books, and more. Our team has experience with various formats including traditional books, e-books, audiobooks, and specialty publications.

Publishing costs vary based on the services you need and your book's requirements. We offer flexible packages and individual services to fit different budgets. During your consultation, we'll provide a detailed quote based on your specific project needs and goals.

We distribute books through major online retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Google Play Books. We also work with physical bookstores, libraries, and specialty retailers. Your book will be available in both digital and print formats across global markets.

We provide ongoing support including sales reporting, marketing assistance, distribution monitoring, and help with reprints or revisions. Our team remains available to assist with promotional opportunities, media outreach, and any questions about your book's performance in the marketplace.

Writing & Ghostwriting FAQ

Common questions about our professional writing and ghostwriting services.

Our professional ghostwriting process starts with an in-depth strategy session where we map your book’s goals, genre, and audience. We then conduct interviews, build a detailed chapter outline, and begin crafting your manuscript. You’ll review each draft, ensuring your voice and message are aligned throughout. Whether you're writing a business book, memoir, or self-help guide, we tailor the ghostwriting journey to your timeline and involvement.

We offer genre-specific ghostwriting services across high-demand categories, including:

  • Business book ghostwriting
  • Memoir writing services
  • Self-help and personal development books
  • Fiction ghostwriting (contemporary, literary, and commercial genres)

Our team has experience in crafting compelling nonfiction narratives as well as plot-rich fiction, helping you turn your expertise or story into a publishable, market-ready manuscript.

A full-length ghostwritten book typically takes between 3 to 6 months, depending on length, complexity, and your availability for input. For shorter formats or business leadership books, we offer expedited timelines. Each project includes multiple stages: outlining, interviews, drafting, and editing — all handled by experienced book ghostwriters.

To begin, we ask for a brief on your idea, your goals as an author, and any materials or recordings you already have. Whether you're coming to us with a full outline, a voice memo, or just a concept, our book ghostwriting services are structured to build your manuscript from the ground up — through guided interviews, research, and collaboration.

Our tone-matching process ensures that your manuscript sounds like you — not us. We conduct voice profiling based on your speech patterns, references, and preferences. Whether you're hiring us for memoir ghostwriting, executive book writing, or fiction collaboration, your voice remains central to the work.

Absolutely. Our custom book writing services include multiple revision rounds at every phase. You’ll review chapters regularly and can request changes to content, tone, or structure. We believe in full transparency and shared ownership — your feedback is an integral part of the process.

Yes — all our ghostwriting agreements include non-disclosure clauses. Your story, ideas, and data are protected under contract. Whether you’re writing a confidential memoir or an industry-disrupting business book, your privacy is non-negotiable. You retain 100% copyright and authorship rights upon delivery.

Our ghostwriting packages are customized and vary based on word count, genre, and required research or publishing support. Business and self-help titles requiring frameworks or proprietary models may be scoped differently than fiction or personal memoirs. Each client receives a custom quote after the initial strategy session.

Yes. After your manuscript is complete, we offer book publishing services, including formatting, cover design, distribution, and launch strategy. We can help you self-publish via platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or prepare your manuscript for traditional publishing submission.

Hiring a ghostwriter is a common and accepted practice in publishing — especially for professionals, entrepreneurs, and speakers. You supply the vision and voice; we supply the writing expertise. Every word reflects your ideas, story, and direction. Our role is to bring that to life.

We handle both primary and supplemental research. Especially for business ghostwriting, memoir fact-checking, or thought leadership titles, our team conducts in-depth research to ensure your book is credible, accurate, and engaging.

Yes. Our end-to-end services include ghostwriting, book publishing, and author marketing. After your manuscript is complete, we can support cover design, formatting, distribution, and even press release outreach for book launch visibility.

Yes. With professional ghostwriting, you retain full authorship and credit. Ghostwriters remain anonymous unless you choose to co-credit them (which is rare and entirely optional).

Yes. We often work with partial manuscripts, outlines, or voice notes. Whether you're halfway through a draft or stuck at chapter one, our book writing services can help you complete your project without starting over.

Ghostwriting means we do the writing and you receive sole credit. Co-writing involves joint attribution and more shared visibility. Most of our clients opt for full ghostwriting services to maintain brand and narrative control.

Publishing & Distribution FAQ

Understanding our comprehensive publishing and distribution services.

Our assisted publishing model covers every essential: manuscript evaluation, editorial review, cover and interior design, ISBN assignment, formatting for print and eBook, and multi-platform distribution. We handle the publishing process end to end — so your book meets global retail standards from day one.

Publishing timelines vary depending on manuscript readiness, but most projects move from onboarding to publication in 6–8 weeks. Rush timelines may be possible for print-ready manuscripts or reprints.

You retain 100% of your rights and royalties. We take no percentage of your sales, your book remains fully owned by you, across all platforms and territories.

Yes. We publish in paperback, hardcover, and eBook formats together, so your book is available across print-on-demand and digital channels at launch, including Kindle, Apple Books, and more.

Absolutely. Through platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Google Books, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and others, your book is distributed to readers globally in both print and digital editions.

We set you up with direct dashboards on platforms like Amazon and Ingram, so you have full access to real-time sales data, royalties, and reader analytics, without relying on third-party reports.

Yes, revisions can be made post-publication at any time. We offer affordable update services if you'd like to refresh the cover, interior layout, metadata, or even re-launch with new positioning.

Yes, and we handle that for you. Each edition of your book (print, eBook, hardcover) receives a unique ISBN and barcode registered in your name for retailer recognition and cataloging.

Yes. We manage the entire publishing setup on both platforms, ensuring your book is optimized for category visibility, metadata strategy, and pricing, all while keeping your ownership intact.

We publish across all major genres including memoirs, self-help, fiction, nonfiction, business books, wellness, spirituality, and personal development. If your book brings value, we’ll help it reach the right audience.

No. We work with authors worldwide. All services including editing, design, and distribution are delivered remotely and can be tailored to international publishing markets.

Yes. We offer modular support and can integrate with your existing creative team. Whether you need full service or select elements, we adapt to your publishing needs.

Yes. While publishing is our core, we also offer author marketing services, including book launch strategy, social media visibility, and press outreach to help position your title post-release.

Yes. We help many authors relaunch books that were previously self-published, giving them stronger design, metadata optimization, and broader distribution with a more professional setup.

Book Printing FAQ

Professional printing and production questions answered.

Offset printing is ideal for high-volume print runs (typically 1,000+ copies). It uses printing plates and delivers consistent, high-quality results at scale — with lower per-unit costs for bulk orders. Digital printing is better suited for short runs and print-on-demand, offering flexibility and fast turnaround without setup fees.

We offer a wide range of paper stocks — including matte, glossy, uncoated, and textured finishes — in various weights suited for both black-and-white and full-color interiors. Binding options include perfect-bound paperbacks, case-wrap hardcovers, dust jackets, and spiral or saddle-stitched formats for workbooks or special projects.

File preparation typically takes 3–5 business days, while printing and delivery timelines depend on the quantity, format, and shipping location. Short runs and print-on-demand jobs often complete within 7–10 business days, while bulk offset printing may take 2–4 weeks.

Yes. We offer both digital print proofs and physical advance copies upon request, so you can review your book’s layout, cover, paper quality, and binding before committing to a full run.

We require press-ready PDF files for both the interior and cover. These must include proper trim size, bleed, embedded fonts, and high-resolution images. If your files aren’t ready, we offer full print formatting and file preparation services.

Yes. We offer a variety of premium print finishes, including foil stamping, embossing, debossing, spot UV coating, and custom die-cuts — ideal for special editions, premium nonfiction titles, or collector-focused releases.

Absolutely. We offer formatting and production for both versions and can help you decide on the best combination based on your budget, genre, and distribution plan.

Yes. We print and prepare books in bulk for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) — including barcode labeling, packing, and shipment directly to Amazon warehouses. This gives your book Prime eligibility and faster delivery under your seller account.

We print and format for Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press, Lulu, and other global POD and offset systems. We also handle direct distribution to bookstores, libraries, and retailers upon request.

Yes. We provide custom printing quotes based on your desired format, trim size, quantity, paper selection, and delivery method. Contact us with your specs, and we’ll walk you through available options.

Yes — especially if you plan to distribute through retailers. We can help you obtain and assign a unique ISBN, and ensure proper barcode placement and metadata formatting for compatibility.

Yes. We archive all files, making it easy to reorder small or large print batches at any time, with no need to resubmit materials.

Book Marketing FAQ

Strategic marketing and author branding questions answered.

Ideally, book marketing should begin 3–6 months before publication — during the pre-launch phase. This allows time to build awareness, grow your platform, secure early reviews, and position your book effectively before it goes live.

That depends on your genre and audience. Instagram and TikTok work well for fiction and visual storytelling. LinkedIn and Twitter/X are better for nonfiction, business, and thought leadership. We help identify where your readers actually are — and tailor content for those platforms.

We track performance through platform analytics, ad metrics, engagement data, email growth, and media pickup — depending on the campaign type. For paid ads, we look at impressions, clicks, conversions, and cost-per-action. For organic outreach, we measure visibility, coverage, and platform growth.

It’s not required, but highly recommended. A professional author website builds trust, captures leads, and centralizes your book and brand. We can help you build one as part of your campaign if you don’t have one in place.

Marketing includes paid, organic, and platform-driven strategies you can control — like social media, SEO, PPC, and email. Public relations (PR) focuses on earned media — getting featured in podcasts, radio, blogs, or press. We integrate both where relevant to amplify your reach.

Budgets vary based on scope, but we typically recommend a starting range of $3,000–$6,000 for core pre-launch support. This covers content strategy, paid ads, social, outreach, and basic assets. Larger campaigns involving trailers, press, and website builds may require a higher investment.

Yes. We support review outreach, coordinate with influencers and readers in your niche, and help secure endorsements and blurbs from relevant voices in your space.

Absolutely. We specialize in working with indie and self-published authors who want professional marketing support without giving up control or royalties.

We run Amazon Advertising campaigns alongside Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and Google Search. We manage ad creative, targeting, A/B testing, and optimization to increase visibility and improve cost-per-click efficiency.

We don’t make guarantees — and any service that does should be approached with caution. What we offer is professional infrastructure, proven strategy, and platform-aligned execution that gives your book the best possible opportunity for real, sustained traction.

We research and vet influencers in your genre or niche, craft custom outreach messages, and manage the process — from delivery of advance copies to post scheduling and engagement reporting.

Organic marketing builds long-term audience trust through content, engagement, SEO, and outreach. Paid ads accelerate reach but require strategy and testing. We use both — the balance depends on your goals and timeline.

Most campaigns run 4–8 weeks depending on your goals and assets. For platform growth or brand positioning, we often recommend multi-phase campaigns spread over a quarter or more.

Only if it suits your strengths. While video content, podcast interviews, and author appearances can boost reach, we tailor marketing around what you're comfortable with — and offer support to prepare you for media if needed.

No. We work with authors at all stages — including those starting from zero. We focus on building the right platform for your audience, not chasing vanity metrics.

Our process is collaborative. We handle execution — strategy, setup, content, outreach — but your voice, input, and approvals are key to keeping everything aligned with your message.

Editing & Proofreading FAQ

Everything you need to know about our comprehensive editorial services.

Developmental editing focuses on the big-picture structure of your book — story flow, chapter order, pacing, logic, and character or argument development. Copyediting, on the other hand, is more technical and corrects grammar, punctuation, syntax, and consistency based on publishing style guides. Think of developmental editing as architectural work, and copyediting as fine detailing.

Most manuscripts benefit from two rounds: an initial deep edit (developmental or line editing), followed by a final copyedit or proofreading pass. However, if your manuscript is still in a rough draft, we may recommend an additional revision round after developmental editing for best results.

No. Our editors are trained to preserve your unique tone while improving clarity, structure, and coherence. We refine your writing without erasing what makes it yours. Your voice remains central to the final manuscript — only sharper and more consistent.

Timelines depend on word count and the level of editing required. On average:

  • Developmental editing takes 3–5 weeks
  • Line editing or copyediting takes 2–3 weeks
  • Proofreading typically takes 1–2 weeks

Rush timelines are available for shorter projects or publication deadlines.

Yes. We use tracked changes in Word and leave editorial comments explaining suggestions, structure shifts, or content concerns. Our goal is not just to fix, but to help you understand how to grow as an author through transparent, constructive feedback.

We prefer Microsoft Word documents (.doc or .docx) to preserve formatting and enable tracked changes. If your manuscript is in Google Docs, PDF, or Scrivener, we can convert or work with your format as needed.

Yes. If you’re writing nonfiction, memoir, or business content, we offer optional fact-checking and research support as part of your editing package. This includes verifying names, dates, citations, case studies, and other factual claims.

Absolutely. Our editing services are collaborative. You’ll be able to review every suggestion and can request additional changes during the revision phase. We also offer optional follow-up review sessions once you’ve implemented your edits.

Yes — we offer free sample edits (up to 1,000 words) so you can assess our editing style, feedback quality, and tone alignment before moving forward.

We provide expert editing for memoirs, fiction, self-help, nonfiction, and business books. Each manuscript is matched with an editor experienced in your genre’s tone, structure, and market expectations.

Yes. All editing work is protected under strict confidentiality agreements. Your manuscript, ideas, and intellectual property remain fully secure and private throughout the editing process.

Yes. After editing, we can help format and prepare your manuscript for Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or traditional publishing submission — including agent-ready versions, synopses, and query letter guidance if needed.

Yes, we work with many authors looking to re-edit and professionally relaunch their earlier works — improving everything from narrative clarity to formatting and language tone for re-release success.

While formatting is not included in our base editing packages, we offer add-on publishing and formatting services to prepare your manuscript for Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and other self-publishing platforms.

Yes. For fiction authors, our line and developmental editing services focus heavily on dialogue naturalness, pacing consistency, character depth, and narrative immersion.

No problem. Editing is a collaborative process, you have full control to accept, reject, or revise our suggestions. We’re here to support your creative direction, not override it.

Yes. We offer professional editing for short fiction, novellas, eBooks, whitepapers, and other non-book-length projects. We’ll tailor the scope to match your goals and word count.

Yes. For authors pursuing traditional publishing, we offer editing for book proposals, query letters, and agent submissions, in addition to manuscript editing.

Book Design FAQ

Learn about our professional book design and visual identity services.

An effective book cover is one that aligns with reader expectations while standing out in a crowded category. We design covers that are genre-appropriate, visually balanced, and conversion-optimized for platforms like Amazon KDP and Barnes & Noble. A good cover doesn’t just attract — it positions your book correctly.

We typically provide 2–3 initial concepts based on your book’s tone, genre, and positioning. Once a direction is chosen, we refine it through collaborative revisions until the final version is ready for print and digital use.

Yes. We provide print-ready files for Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and other POD platforms, as well as eBook formats (EPUB, MOBI) for Kindle, Apple Books, and more. Each version is optimized for platform compliance and reader experience.

Yes — formatting requirements differ between formats. We ensure that both your print and eBook editions are optimized for platform and reader experience.

Yes. We offer custom book illustration services, especially for children's books, memoirs with photos, and nonfiction with visual frameworks. Illustrations are integrated into the layout and styled to match your book’s tone and audience.

We support image-heavy books, including children’s books, instructional guides, memoirs with photos, and nonfiction with charts or frameworks. Visuals are styled and positioned for clarity and consistency.

We begin with a short creative brief where we gather information on your genre, audience, inspiration, platform preferences, and any visual references or direction you already have in mind. Your feedback is welcome throughout the process.

We apply industry-standard typesetting and formatting principles to ensure readability, flow, and visual balance. Every layout is built around your content type — whether it’s dialogue-driven fiction, structured nonfiction, or image-heavy work.

You’ll receive:

  • PDFs for print (with bleed, spine, and barcode where applicable)
  • EPUB and MOBI files for digital publishing
  • High-resolution cover files for both print and online use All files are platform-ready for Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and other publishing systems.

Our design services are modular. You can request a standalone cover, interior formatting, or eBook conversion — or combine them into a full-service package depending on your needs.

Yes. You’ll review proofs at each stage of the process. Revisions are built in, and we ensure the final output reflects both your expectations and the technical requirements of your publishing platform.

Timelines vary by scope, but most full book design projects are completed within 2–4 weeks. Rush services are available for individual elements like covers or eBook formatting.

Yes. You retain full rights to all final designs, including cover artwork and interior layouts. There are no royalty or usage restrictions on the files we deliver.