Description

A professional publishing solution for authors who need more than just an ISBN—includes formatting, metadata optimization, and detailed publishing guidance.

This package ensures your book looks polished, correctly categorized, and professionally formatted for print and eBook distribution.

What’s Included:

• Interior formatting for print and eBook versions, using the proper technical formats and to required industry standards. You supply all content.
• Basic text-based cover design plus one revision (or submit your own)
• Proofing for print and eBook formats. This is not editing or proofreading.
• Metadata optimization for enhanced discoverability and bookstore placement.

Plus everything from our basic package:

• ISBN registration under Unscrewed Publishing imprint
  • Includes ONE ISBN for paperback version.  Additional ISBNs for hardback and ebook available as an addon.  Note that each of these formats is required to have its own ISBN. This isn’t our requirement but the distributors’.
  • Writing a fiction book instead? You can choose to have the ISBN registration through our fiction imprint, Fractured Ink Press.
• Price-specific barcode (required by bookstores, libraries and others). Not all publishers include this.
• Metadata guidance for proper bookstore and library categorization
• Publishing guidance: Step-by-step instructions for setting up your own accounts on:
  • Amazon KDP
  • IngramSpark (Print books).
    • Note, using your own personal IngramSpark account requires purchasing your own ISBN ($125 through Bowker); otherwise we can upload it to our account. Ask if you have any questions.
    • Includes library offerings to Baker & Taylor, Bibliotheca, EBSCO, ProQuest, Follett (mostly print, limited digital)
  • Barnes & Noble Press (paperback, Nook ebook)
  • Draft2Digital (ebooks only)
    • Distributed to library networks such as OverDrive, Hoopla, Bibliotheca, Baker & Taylor (Axis360), Palace Marketplace
  • Apple Books (ebooks)
  • Kobo (eboks)
  • Google Play (ebooks)
  • When you self publish, you retain 100% of your royalties.
  • Optional: We can publish your book under our established accounts on any/all these platforms, and we retain 10% of royalties to cover administrative costs.

• Marketing guidance: A year-long roadmap via email and scheduled virtual group calls to maximize your book’s success, delivering expert strategies in book and author website setup, pre-launch planning, high-impact promotions, reader outreach, and ongoing sales tactics. Over 12 months, you’ll receive curated insights, including access to reader promotion networks, Kindle freebie reminders, social media and email marketing tips, how to integrate your book with your business branding and marketing, Canva templates for eye-catching graphics, and proven methods to keep your book visible and selling—all based on our past marketing and publishing industry expertise.

Best For:

• Authors who want to self-publish but need help with ISBN registration and detailed setup instructions plus a basic level of marketing and publishing support
• Business owners who prefer to manage their own publishing accounts

 

FAQ – Standard Publishing Package

What does “interior formatting for print and eBook” include?

We professionally format your manuscript for both print and eBook versions, ensuring it meets industry standards for readability, proper layout, and platform compatibility.

This includes:

• Proper typesetting and formatting for professional appearance
• Ensuring correct margins, spacing, font choices, and chapter breaks
• Automatic table of contents for eBooks
• Correcting any formatting inconsistencies that could cause rejection by platforms
• Output in PDF (print) and EPUB (eBook) formats ready for upload

Important: This does not include content writing, editing, or rewriting. You must provide a final, proofread manuscript ready for formatting.

Can I make changes after my book is formatted?

Yes, one round of minor adjustments are allowed, while significant content changes may require an additional formatting fee.

One round of small revisions (like fixing minor layout issues) is included. If you need major content edits after formatting, the manuscript will need to be reformatted from scratch, which will incur additional costs. Always submit us your most final document.

What is included in the “basic text-based cover design”?

Our basic cover design includes:

• A clean, professional text-based layout using industry-standard fonts
• Proper placement of the title, author name, and any required branding
• A generic background graphic, if desired
• Formatting to meet print and eBook cover size requirements
• One revision included if adjustments are needed

This does not include complex custom graphics, illustrations, or high-end typography. If you want a more visually designed cover, you can submit your own or upgrade to a fully custom cover design.

What if I already have a cover?

You bet! If you already have a professionally designed cover, you can submit it instead of using our basic cover design. It must meet the required dimensions, file type, and resolution for print and eBook formats.

We will review the file to ensure it meets platform specifications and let you know if any adjustments are needed.

What does “proofing for print and eBook formats” mean?

Proofing ensures that your book is properly formatted and error-free in layout and structure before finalizing the files for publication.

This process includes:

• Checking for formatting issues, alignment errors, spacing problems, and incorrect page breaks
• Ensuring images (if any) are properly embedded and high resolution
• Confirming that headers, footers, and page numbers are correct
• Making sure eBook files convert correctly with no text overlap or missing content

Important: This is not the same as editing or proofreading for grammar, spelling, or content errors. Your manuscript should already be finalized and proofread before submission.

What is metadata optimization, and why does it matter?

Metadata optimization ensures your book is discoverable by readers, retailers, and libraries. This includes:

• Selecting the best keywords and categories to improve ranking and visibility on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other platforms
• Proper title, subtitle, and author name formatting to align with search algorithms
• Writing a compelling book description to attract buyers
• Ensuring that your book is placed in the correct BISAC categories for bookstore placement

Good metadata helps your book appear in search results, making it easier for potential readers to find and purchase your book.

What happens if I need additional revisions after my book is finalized?

One round of minor formatting and cover revisions is included. If you request additional changes after files are finalized, there may be a small fee depending on the scope of the updates.

If major content edits are needed after formatting is complete, the book will need to be reformatted entirely, which will require an additional service fee.

How many ISBNs do I need, and how many do I receive?

We provide you with one ISBN for paperback format as part of your package.  You can add on additional ISBN for hardback and/or ebook.  All distribution platforms do require a separate ISBN for each format. If you want all three formats, you will need three ISBNs.

You should ONLY have one ISBN per format. What you do not want to ever do is gather a bunch of free ISBNs that are given by all of the different platforms as part of using their platform, where you end up with 3 different ones for paperbacks and 8 for ebooks etc.  Best practice and best professional use is having only one (although each format – paperback, hardback, and ebook – does still need their own). More about these free ISBNs below.

Don’t some platforms give you a free ISBN?

Yes, platforms like Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, and Barnes & Noble Press offer free ISBNs, but we do not recommend using these free ISBNs for several reasons:

1. Loss of Flexibility & Control – A free ISBN is tied only to the platform that issues it.

   • If you accept a free ISBN from Amazon KDP, you cannot use it on IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble, or any other platform.
   • If you later decide to expand your distribution, you’ll have to publish a new edition with a new ISBN, which can cause confusion for retailers and readers.

2. Platform-Limited Distribution – Many bookstores and libraries do not accept books with platform-assigned ISBNs because they recognize them as self-published exclusives. If you plan to distribute beyond Amazon or Draft2Digital, you’ll need your own ISBN. For example, if you would like to host some local book signings and sell copies in local bookstores, these free ISBNs will NOT work.

3. No Publisher Branding – A free ISBN registers the platform as the publisher, meaning:

   • Instead of being listed under Unscrewed Publishing (or your own imprint if you buy your ISBN), your book will say Published by Amazon KDP or Published by Draft2Digital, which can look less professional to bookstores and media outlets.

4. Restrictions on Print & Library Options – Some platforms with free ISBNs limit your ability to set wholesale discounts or return policies, making your book less attractive to bookstores and libraries.

By using an ISBN provided through Unscrewed Publishing (or purchasing your own), you maintain full control over your book’s distribution, branding, and future opportunities.

Do I need to purchase my own ISBN? 

No. We provide one for you for a paperback format as part of this package.

However, if you want to use your own IngramSpark account, then yes—you must purchase your own ISBN through Bowker ($125 per ISBN). This is because IngramSpark requires the publisher listed on the ISBN registration to match the publishing account. This is their rule, not ours.

Bowker is the official registration company for all ISBNs in the United States (technically it is the ONLY ISBN registration company … when we issue you an ISBN, it is registered through Bowker and we pay them directly for your ISBN number).

This is the only platform that has this strict of a publisher requirement; most of the other platforms you are simply required to note the publisher but the account you use does not need to be owned by the publisher. In any case, you still want only ONE ISBN – ours or yours.

Why Do I Need a Price-Specific Barcode?

We provide a price-specific barcode with each ISBN. A price-specific barcode ensures your book meets industry standards for bookstores, libraries, and retail distribution. Here’s why it matters:

1. Required for Bookstores & Libraries – Many retailers will not stock books without a price-specific barcode because their systems rely on it for pricing, inventory tracking, and sales reports.

2. Professional Appearance – A book without a price-specific barcode may look less polished and industry-ready, making it harder to gain credibility with distributors and retailers.

3. Standardized Pricing Control – A barcode with a set price ensures that bookstores and libraries know exactly what to charge, reducing confusion in wholesale and retail transactions.

4. Easier Sales & Cataloging – Without a price-specific barcode, some retailers may reject your book or list it as “unpriced,” which can create hesitation for buyers and complicate distribution.

5. Required for Some Platforms – While Amazon KDP doesn’t require it, IngramSpark, bookstores, and most library systems do.

A price-specific barcode is automatically included in our ISBN registration, ensuring your book is fully prepared for professional retail and library distribution.

What if I want to use my own accounts for some platforms and yours for others?

You can absolutely mix and match. For example:

• Use your own Amazon KDP account but publish on IngramSpark through our account (avoiding the need to purchase your own ISBN).
• Use our account for Draft2Digital while managing your own Barnes & Noble Press account.

We offer flexible publishing options to fit your needs.

Can I switch to my own account later if I start under yours?

Yes! You always have the option to take full control later. If you start under any of our accounts, we can unpublish there and you can use your own.

IngramSpark is the only exception since if the ISBN is registered through us and published under our account it cannot be moved.  To move from having us listed as Publisher to yourself, you would need to purchase a new ISBN through Bowker since ISBNs are permanently tied to the original publisher of record.  This means you would need to update all of your covers, and book interiors if the ISBN is listed there (it probably is) and upload new versions to all platforms.

Do you set up publishing accounts for me?

No. Because platforms require personal financial details like banking and tax information so that you can get paid, we do not set up accounts on your behalf. Instead, we provide detailed, step-by-step instructions so you can set up your accounts quickly and correctly.

What happens if I publish under your accounts?

If we handle distribution under our accounts (IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press, Draft2Digital, etc.), we process royalties and distribute earnings to you within 60 days after the end of each month (timing varies by platform), minus a 10% administrative fee.

If you use your own accounts, you keep 100% of your royalties, and payments come directly from each platform to whatever financial account that you set up on the platform during account setup.

Will publishing under Unscrewed Publishing or Fractured Ink Press affect my rights?

No. You retain full ownership and copyright of all of your content. We do not claim any rights to your book—you are simply using our publishing imprint for distribution purposes. Our goal is to help you become a published author, not own any of your content.

How do I get paid if I publish under your accounts?

We issue royalty payments within 60 days after the end of each month, deducting only our 10% administrative fee for platforms where we manage distribution.

Each platform has different payout schedules, but we handle everything and process all payments once received.

What kind of marketing support do I get?

You receive one year of guided marketing support, including:

• Pre-launch planning strategies
• Reader promotion networks to boost Amazon downloads
• Social media & email marketing tips
• Kindle freebie timing reminders
• Canva templates for book promo graphics
• Ongoing sales strategies to keep your book visible long-term

This guidance is provided via email and scheduled virtual group calls so you always know what to do next.

Can I add extra services or upgrade to a higher package later?

Yes! You can purchase additional ISBNs, marketing support, bulk book printing assistance formatting, design, additional publishing services, or an author/book website setup at any time.  Just contact us directly.

What if I have more questions?

We’re happy to help! If anything is unclear, reach out before purchasing, and we’ll help you choose the best publishing path.  You can use the chat button (bottom right of website), or the email address at the top of our website. Or schedule a free consultation.