Custom Imprint Publishing (CIP)

A partnership program for organizations that want to build and operate their own comprehensive publishing program. You get your own branded imprint with consistent standards, unified strategy, and complete control over what you publish and when you publish it without the need of going it alone or working with multiple publishers.

Why it matters

Most organizations don't realize what it actually costs to run a publishing program. Building an internal publishing department requires five key roles: a publishing leader, managing editor, production manager, marketing strategist, and sales director. At scale, that costs roughly half a million dollars per year in salaries alone, plus benefits and operational costs. CIP delivers the same leadership and management for a fraction of that cost while you remain in control.

What you get

Your CIP program includes executive strategy and planning, editorial oversight across all your titles, production and vendor management, marketing strategy, launch planning, and ongoing sales and distribution support. We develop your book concepts, manage your publishing timeline, ensure quality standards, position each title in the market, and maintain your books' long-term availability.

How it works

Publishing takes time. Books spend years in development, production, and market lifecycle simultaneously. CIP is built around that reality. We manage a rolling pipeline so you're always moving titles through stages: some in writing, some in design, some launching, some selling. This keeps your publishing program steady and sustainable rather than chaotic and inconsistent.

What it costs

CIP is managed through a tiered monthly retainer based on how many titles you plan to publish each year. You keep 100% of the net margin from books you sell directly. For books sold into bookstores, on Amazon, and other trade channels, we split the net margin with you retaining 80%. We retain 20% of the net margin to cover continuing costs to manage sales, distribution, metadata, and market presence after launch. This reflects a real partnership where we're invested in the long-term success of your books. Contact us to discuss your publishing goals and receive a rate sheet.

Empower Your Mission

    • Translates your vision into a viable publishing strategy with clear goals and standards.

    • Builds the multi-year publishing roadmap and annual title plan aligned to your organizational priorities.

    • Develops book concepts when needed and evaluates new project ideas for strategic fit.

    • Reviews and approves projects for quality, scope, and feasibility before moving to production.

    • Advises on imprint-level financial decisions, including pricing strategy and structure.

    • Establishes editorial standards and quality benchmarks across all titles.

    • Guides manuscripts through development, revision, and readiness for production.

    • Reviews manuscripts for structure, clarity, and market alignment before publication.

    • Determines what level of editing each manuscript needs and manages the editorial workflow.

    • Performs final quality control on edited manuscripts and proof pages prior to release.

    • Builds and manages the production schedule for each title from manuscript to release.

    • Coordinates all vendors and deliverables, including cover, interior, e-book, and print files.

    • Manages production quality control, file accuracy, and prepress readiness.

    • Oversees printing and manufacturing coordination, vendor communication, and approvals.

    • Tracks timelines, dependencies, and risks to keep projects on schedule.

    • Creates the marketing plan for each title, including launch timing and priorities.

    • Develops positioning and messaging so each book is clear, compelling, and market ready.

    • Guides author or organizational promotion plans and readiness expectations.

    • Recommends advertising strategy, campaign structure, and launch assets as needed.

    • Builds or directs creation of sales tools such as sell sheets, copy direction, and channel messaging.

    • Sets sales strategy and distribution approach for each title and the overall catalog.

    • Coordinates trade-facing needs, including sales positioning and account readiness.

    • Supports ongoing sales activity after launch (questions, updates, opportunities, and channel coordination).

    • Oversees catalog-level sales planning and long-term title performance management.

    • Guides inventory, print run planning, and forecasting to support demand and avoid costly mistakes.

The roles we preform:

Click here to contact us regarding creating a custom publishing printing for your organization!