Search "self-publishing companies" and you will find hundreds of options, all promising to turn your manuscript into a bestseller. Some are excellent. Some will take your money and your royalties for years. The difference is usually buried in the contract.
Here are the ten questions to ask any self-publishing company before you sign.
1. Do I keep 100% of my rights?
This is the most important question. Your publishing rights are what let you sell, adapt and republish your book. A reputable self-publishing company should not own them. Watch for contracts that grant the company exclusive rights for a period of years, or rights to audio, film or translations.
2. Do I keep 100% of my royalties?
Some companies take a percentage of every sale on top of their upfront fees — sometimes for as long as the book is in print. Ask exactly what share of each sale you receive, and whether the company takes any cut.
3. What exactly is included in the price?
Ask for an itemized list: how many rounds of editing, what kind of editing, how many cover concepts, which formats, whether ISBNs are included and who is listed as publisher. Vague packages are where surprise costs come from.
4. Are there any extra or recurring fees?
Ask about annual fees, distribution fees, fees for changes after publication and fees to get your files back. Transparent companies will tell you up front.
5. Who owns the final files?
You should receive your print-ready interior, cover files and eBook files, and be free to use them anywhere. If a company won’t release your files, you are locked in.
6. Who is listed as the publisher?
If the company provides the ISBN, it may be listed as the publisher of record. Some authors don’t mind; others want their own imprint. Know which you are getting.
7. Can I see books you’ve published?
Ask for real titles and look them up on Amazon. Check the covers, the "Look inside" interior and the reviews. Our own catalog is public — see our catalog and new releases.
8. Who will actually work on my book?
Will you have a dedicated contact? Are editors and designers in-house or outsourced? A good company will tell you who is on your team and how you will communicate.
9. What is the timeline?
Ask for a realistic schedule from contract to publication, and what happens if deadlines slip on either side.
10. Can I talk to past authors?
Reputable companies are proud of their authors. Read independent reviews, and ask if you can speak with someone who has published with them. You can read what our authors say on our reviews page.
Red flags to watch for
- High-pressure sales calls or "limited-time" discounts.
- Promises of bestseller status or guaranteed sales.
- Royalty splits on top of large upfront fees.
- Packages with dozens of vague "marketing" extras that are hard to measure.
- Contracts you can’t exit, or that lock up rights for years.
- No real books you can buy and inspect.
What to expect to pay
Pricing varies widely depending on how much is included. For real numbers, read how much it costs to self-publish a book. As a reference point, our plans range from $499 for The Letterpress to $11,999 for The First Edition, with a $199/month membership option.
How Capitol Quill Press answers these questions
- You keep 100% of your rights and royalties on every plan.
- Pricing is transparent and itemized — no hidden fees.
- You set your own retail price.
- Our team works from our Washington, DC studio, and you can see the books we publish.
If you’re comparing self-publishing companies, we’d be glad to answer all ten questions about your project. Start a conversation or see how it works.
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