11 Essential Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Vanity Publishing Service
Choosing a publisher is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as an author. You’ve poured your heart into writing your manuscript, and now you need a partner who will help bring your book to life in a way that honors your vision and protects your interests.
The problem? Many first-time authors don’t know what questions to ask until it’s too late. They sign contracts without fully understanding the terms, only to discover hidden fees, disappointing royalty structures, or services that fall far short of what was promised.
This isn’t about being suspicious or confrontational. It’s about doing your homework. Any reputable publisher will welcome these questions and answer them clearly and thoroughly. If a publisher gets defensive or evasive when you ask for details, that’s a red flag worth paying attention to.
Here are 11 essential questions every author should ask before signing on the dotted line.
Table of Contents
- Who Retains the Copyright to My Book?
- What Are the Total Upfront Costs, and What Exactly Am I Paying For?
- What Is Your Royalty Structure, and When Do I Start Earning 100% of Profits?
- What Level of Editing Is Included?
- Where Will My Book Be Distributed, and How Does That Process Work?
- Do You Reject Any Manuscripts, and If So, Why?
- What Marketing Support Is Included vs. What Costs Extra?
- How Long Is the Contract Term, and What Are My Rights After It Ends?
- What Formats Will My Book Be Available In?
- How Long Does the Publishing Process Typically Take?
- Will I Have a Dedicated Point of Contact Throughout the Process?
- Recognizing Common Pitfalls in Vanity Publishing Contracts
- Take Your Time and Make an Informed Decision
1. Who Retains the Copyright to My Book?
This should be your first question, and the answer should always be the same: you do.
Your copyright is your ownership of the work you created. A legitimate publisher should never ask you to transfer your copyright to them. You’re giving them permission to publish your book, not ownership of your intellectual property.
Red flag: Any publisher asking you to sign over your copyright should be avoided. Full stop.
What to look for: Clear contract language stating that you retain 100% copyright ownership.
With Page Publishing: You maintain full copyright ownership of your book, now and always, ensuring your continued control over how your work is used and presented.
2. What Are the Total Upfront Costs, and What Exactly Am I Paying For?
Publishing a book costs money. Whether those costs come from the publisher’s pocket (traditional publishing) or yours (self-publishing or hybrid publishing), someone is paying for editing, design, printing setup, and distribution.
The key is transparency. You deserve to know exactly what you’re paying for and what’s included.
Red flags: Vague pricing like “minimal investment” without specifics, or discovering surprise fees after you’ve already signed a contract.
With Page Publishing: We offer comprehensive publishing packages designed to suit a wide range of author needs. Whether you want essential publishing services or more extensive marketing and distribution support, you can choose a package that fits your goals and budget. You can review all package details, including what’s included at each level, on our website:
3. What Is Your Royalty Structure, and When Do I Start Earning 100% of Profits?
Royalty structures vary wildly across publishers. Some traditional publishers might give you 10-15% of net proceeds. Some self-publishing services take 40-60% of every sale forever. Others offer more author-friendly terms.
You need to understand not just the percentage, but how long those terms last and what happens to your earnings over time.
What to look for: A clear explanation of how royalties are calculated, what percentage the publisher takes, and whether those terms change over time.
Questions to ask:
- Do I earn back my investment before the publisher takes their share?
- What percentage does the publisher keep after I’ve recouped my costs?
- Are there different royalty rates for paperback, hardcover, and eBook formats?
With Page Publishing: You receive 100% of the profit generated from each sale until you have recouped your entire publishing investment. After you’ve reached that point, Page retains only 20 cents per book sold, allowing you to keep the vast majority of royalties over the long term.
4. What Level of Editing Is Included?
Not all editing is created equal. Understanding what type of editing you’re receiving helps you know what to expect and whether you might need additional editorial support before submission.
Different types of editing serve different purposes:
- Developmental editing focuses on big-picture issues like plot, structure, and character development
- Line editing improves flow, style, and readability at the sentence level
- Copyediting fixes grammar, punctuation, spelling, and consistency
- Proofreading catches final typos and formatting issues
What to look for: Clear explanation of which type(s) of editing are included in your package.
Questions to ask:
- What type of editing do you provide?
- Is it developmental, line editing, copyediting, or proofreading?
- How many rounds of editing are included?
- Will I have an opportunity to review and approve changes?
With Page Publishing: Your dedicated copy editor will give your manuscript a thorough polish, reviewing grammar, spelling, word choice, sentence flow, and consistency, while following the Chicago Manual of Style to ensure professional quality. You’ll have the opportunity to review every edit and approve or decline any changes before the manuscript moves forward.
5. Where Will My Book Be Distributed, and How Does That Process Work?
Getting your book printed is only half the battle. You need it to actually reach readers, which means distribution matters enormously.
Some publishers only upload to Amazon. Others work with major distributors like Ingram, which means your book can be ordered by bookstores and libraries nationwide.
What to look for: Specific distribution channels and retailers where your book will be available.
Questions to ask:
- Will my book be available through Ingram?
- Can bookstores order it?
- Will it appear on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retailers?
- What about international distribution?
With Page Publishing:Your printed book will be available through Ingram, one of the world’s leading book wholesalers. This gives bookstores and libraries the ability to order your title through their standard purchasing systems. Ingram also offers international reach, making your book available to retailers and libraries in markets such as the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and beyond.
Pro tip: While placement is always at a librarian’s discretion, many local libraries enjoy supporting community authors and will often consider adding locally written books to their collections.
6. Do You Reject Any Manuscripts, and If So, Why?
This might seem like an odd question, but it’s actually really important. Publishers who accept every single manuscript that comes through the door, regardless of quality, often provide little to no quality control or meaningful editorial guidance.
A publisher that maintains some standards and occasionally says “this isn’t ready yet” or “this isn’t a good fit for us” is usually a better partner than one that rubber-stamps everything.
What to look for: Evidence that the publisher has quality standards and won’t publish just anything.
Questions to ask:
- What percentage of submitted manuscripts do you accept?
- What are the common reasons you reject manuscripts?
- Do you provide feedback if you decline a manuscript?
With Page Publishing: We review every manuscript to ensure it’s a good fit for our program and meets basic publishing standards. We don’t require a fully edited or finalized document—that’s part of the service we provide—but we do look for a manuscript that is complete, clearly written, and thoughtfully organized. Our goal is to partner with authors who are ready to bring their work to the world professionally.
While we work with writers at many different experience levels, we do not accept manuscripts that include hate speech or content that violates our publishing guidelines.
In short: if your manuscript reflects genuine effort and a clear vision, we’re here to help you transform it into a finished book you can be proud of.
7. What Marketing Support Is Included vs. What Costs Extra?
Here’s where things can get tricky. Many publishers blur the line between what’s included in your package and what they’ll try to upsell you on later.
Basic distribution (making your book available for sale) is not the same as marketing (actively promoting your book to drive sales). You need to understand what comes standard and what requires additional investment.
What to look for: A clear breakdown of included services versus optional paid marketing packages.
Red flags: Publishers who make unrealistic promises about bestseller lists or guaranteed sales numbers. No one can promise your book will be a bestseller.
Questions to ask:
- What marketing services are included in my package?
- What marketing options are available for an additional fee?
With Page Publishing: Every publishing package includes the essential steps needed to prepare and launch your book: copy editing, page and cover design, printing setup, eBook conversion, and distribution. Each package also includes a foundational marketing component, such as a professionally written press release, online listings, and guidance on promoting your book.
For authors who want more support, we offer optional marketing packages that expand your reach through additional services like advertising, targeted promotions, and enhanced media outreach. This allows you to choose the level of marketing that matches your goals and budget.
Audiobooks can also be added as an optional upgrade, giving your book a presence in multiple formats.
8. How Long Is the Contract Term, and What Are My Rights After It Ends?
Some publishing contracts last for a specific period (like 3-5 years), while others are perpetual or only end when the book goes out of print (which might never happen in the age of print-on-demand).
You need to understand what you’re committing to and what happens when the contract ends.
What to look for: Clear language about contract duration and rights reversion.
Questions to ask:
- How long does this contract last?
- Can I renew or end it at that point?
- What happens to my book files, ISBN, and cover design when the contract ends?
- Do my rights automatically revert to me?
With Page Publishing: Our contracts are intentionally short and author-friendly. We use a two-year contract term, and when that period ends, you can simply renew if you’d like to continue. Most importantly, you always retain full rights to your work. We don’t acquire your copyright, so there’s nothing to “revert” when the contract ends. Your book is yours at every stage.
When it comes to assets, the ISBN remains with Page Publishing, since it’s issued under our publishing imprint, but your book files are always accessible in your author portal. You can download them anytime, and if you ever need the production files (like the InDesign package), our team can provide them upon request.
9. What Formats Will My Book Be Available In?
Understanding which formats your book will be published in helps you reach different types of readers. Some people prefer physical books, while others exclusively read eBooks or listen to audiobooks.
What to look for: Clear information about which formats are included in your package and which might be additional options.
Questions to ask:
- Will my book be available in paperback, hardcover, eBook, and audiobook formats?
- Are all formats included, or do some cost extra?
- How long does it take to produce each format?
With Page Publishing: Your book will be published in both a print format and an eBook format. Every author chooses whether they prefer a paperback or hardcover edition for their print version, and you may upgrade to offer both formats if you’d like wider availability. Your printed book will feature a glossy, full-color cover with professional binding. We also provide complimentary copies for events, signings, or personal use.
In addition to print, we convert your manuscript into ePub and AZW formats so it can appear on Apple Books, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, and all major eBook platforms.
Audiobooks are available as an optional upgrade for authors who want to expand into other formats.
10. How Long Does the Publishing Process Typically Take?
Knowing the timeline helps you plan book launches, marketing efforts, and manage your expectations throughout the process.
What to look for: A realistic timeline from manuscript submission to books being available for sale.
Questions to ask:
- What are the major milestones in the publishing process?
- How long does editing typically take?
- When will I see cover designs?
- How long from final approval to books being available on retailer websites?
With Page Publishing: Most books progress from manuscript to retail availability in 6–8 months, and we aim to keep all projects within a 10-month timeline. Actual timing depends on factors such as revision cycles, author response times, and project details. Our publishing process moves through clear milestones, including editing, interior layout, cover design, author review, and final production, so authors always know where they are in the publishing journey.
11. Will I Have a Dedicated Point of Contact Throughout the Process?
Publishing a book involves many moving parts: editing, design, production, distribution, and marketing. Authors often feel lost when they’re passed from department to department with no one person truly responsible for their project.
Some vanity publishers rely on generic email inboxes or rotating support teams, which can leave authors repeating themselves or struggling to get consistent answers. A lack of personalized guidance is one of the most common pain points authors report.
What to look for: A clear explanation of who your main point of contact will be, how communication works, and whether you’ll have someone to guide you through the entire process.
Questions to ask:
- Will I be assigned a dedicated coordinator or project manager?
- How often will I hear from them?
- Can I speak to someone by phone if needed?
- Will I have access to my project’s status and files?
With Page Publishing: Every author is assigned a dedicated Publication Coordinator who guides you through each stage of the publishing process. You’ll always know who to contact, and you’ll have a consistent, knowledgeable partner who understands your book and your goals. Plus, you’ll have full access to your project files and workflow through your personalized Author Portal, so you’re never left wondering where things stand.
Recognizing Common Pitfalls in Vanity Publishing Contracts
Understanding typical traps – financial and legal – prepares you to avoid permanently damaging your publishing journey.
Excessive fees are the most obvious pitfall. Vanity publishers often charge $10,000 to $40,000 for services that self-published authors can obtain for $3,000 to $7,000 by hiring freelancers directly. The markup funds the publisher’s profit, not superior quality.
Rights grabs occur when publishers demand broad, long-term rights without corresponding investment or effort. Life-of-copyright clauses – where the publisher controls your work for your entire life plus 70 years – are particularly dangerous in vanity contracts. Unlike traditional publishers who actively promote backlist titles, vanity presses often abandon books after initial publication, leaving your rights tied up indefinitely with no benefit.
Delayed or withheld royalties result from net-profit calculations and high recoupment thresholds. Many authors never receive royalty payments because the publisher claims costs haven’t been recovered, even after years.
Forced purchases of unsold books financially exploit authors. Some contracts require authors to buy minimum quantities of their own books at inflated prices, sometimes as a condition of contract termination. According to industry watchdogs, authors have been pressured to purchase thousands of dollars of their own inventory to end unproductive relationships.
Inadequate marketing support is nearly universal in vanity publishing. Despite promises of “comprehensive promotion,” most vanity publishers provide only token efforts – a website listing, a press release sent to a generic database – leaving authors to handle all meaningful marketing themselves.
Option clauses and non-compete provisions tie up future works. Some vanity contracts include “right of first refusal” clauses requiring you to offer your next book to the same publisher, or non-compete clauses preventing you from publishing similar work elsewhere.
Take Your Time and Make an Informed Decision
Asking these questions isn’t about being difficult or distrustful. It’s about being a smart businessperson. Publishing a book is an investment of your time, money, and creative energy. You deserve to make that investment with full information.
Different publishers offer different services and business models. Traditional publishers, hybrid publishers, and self-publishing services each have their own approaches. The key is finding the right fit for your book, your budget, and your goals.
Take notes on the answers you receive. Compare your options side by side. And remember: you’re not just choosing someone to print your book. You’re choosing a partner for your publishing journey. Choose the option that feels right for you.
Your book deserves it. And so do you.
Have questions about how Page Publishing answers these questions? We believe in complete transparency throughout the publishing process. Visit our FAQ page to learn more about our services, royalty structure, contract terms, and what you can expect when you publish with us. We’re here to answer your questions honestly and help you make the best decision for your book.
