Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Publishing Service

Hiring a publishing service can make the book publishing process easier—but it can also be risky if you don’t ask the right questions. Some services are designed to support authors. Others are designed to profit from confusion.

If you’re considering help with editing, design, layout, or distribution, make sure the company you’re hiring offers clarity, fairness, and real value.

Here’s what to ask before you sign anything or send a payment.

Will I retain the rights to my book?

A legitimate service should never ask for your publishing rights. You wrote the book—you should keep full ownership.

Make sure the contract clearly states that you retain all rights, including digital, print, and audio. If there’s vague language or a rights transfer buried in the fine print, walk away.

Who will be listed as the publisher?

In assisted self-publishing, you should be listed as the publisher—or at least have the option. If the company insists on listing their name as the publisher of record, it could affect how your book is perceived by bookstores, reviewers, and readers.

Ask what name will appear on the copyright page and distribution records.

Will I receive 100% of the royalties?

You should receive all royalties earned from your book sales, minus only platform fees (like Amazon or IngramSpark).

Some companies keep a percentage, even after charging for services. That’s a red flag. You’re paying for help—not handing over long-term earnings.

Ask for a breakdown of how royalties work, how payments are issued, and whether you’ll have direct access to sales reports.

What exactly am I paying for?

Look for itemized pricing or clear package details. If the service offers editing, design, distribution, or coaching, ask what’s included and what’s extra.

Be wary of vague promises like “exposure,” “visibility,” or “global reach” without a defined plan.

A trustworthy company will explain what they’re doing, how it works, and what it costs—up front and in plain language.

Will I have final approval over edits and design?

You should be involved in key creative decisions. That includes your cover design, book layout, and any edits made to your manuscript.

Ask how the revision process works, how many rounds are included, and whether you get to approve the final files before publication.

What kind of support will I receive?

You’re not just hiring someone to complete tasks—you’re trusting them to guide you through an important process.

Ask:

• Will I have a point of contact?

• How do I communicate questions or concerns?

• What’s the expected turnaround time on responses?

A company that provides timely, helpful communication is worth far more than one that vanishes after payment.

What happens if something goes wrong?

Mistakes happen. What matters is how the service handles them.

Ask:

• Do you offer revisions if there’s an error?

• What’s your policy on refunds or cancellations?

• Can I access my files if I ever want to work with someone else?

Reliable services will put your satisfaction first and have clear policies to back it up.

Final Thoughts

The best publishing services treat authors with respect. They offer clear contracts, honest timelines, and full transparency about money, rights, and expectations.

If a company dodges your questions, pressures you to commit, or avoids putting details in writing—it’s not the right fit.

Publishing should be exciting, not stressful. With the right partner, it can be.