Will this turn into a hard sales call?−
No. The free call exists because we genuinely believe most authors benefit from a conversation before any decision — not because it's a scripted sales funnel. We've ended calls by recommending a smaller service than what someone asked about, and we've ended calls by recommending the person not work with us at all yet (for example, if their manuscript needs more development time first). If you leave the call with clarity and no pressure, we've done our job — whether or not you become a client.
I don't have a finished manuscript yet. Is it too early to reach out?+
It's actually one of the best times to reach out. Authors who talk to us before finishing — or before starting — often save themselves months of rework, because we can flag structural issues, audience questions, or scope decisions early. The Manuscript Readiness Assessment above is built specifically for this stage: it gives you a clear picture of where you stand without requiring a finished draft.
What should I actually write in the message — what if I don't know what I need?+
"I don't know what I need" is a completely valid message — and one of the most common ones we get. Just tell us about your book: what it's about, roughly where it stands, and what's on your mind (worried about quality, not sure how publishing works, curious about cost, anything). We'll ask clarifying questions if needed. There's no required format, no minimum length, and no "wrong" way to describe your project.
Is my idea or manuscript safe to share before we have an agreement?+
Yes. Everything shared with us — in a message, on a call, or as an attached document — is treated as confidential by every member of our team. If you'd like a signed NDA before sharing anything substantial, just ask and we'll send one over before the conversation goes any further. We've built our reputation on author trust, and that starts with the very first email.
What time zone are you in, and when can I expect a reply?+
Our team operates on US Central Time, Monday through Friday, 8am–7pm CT. Messages sent outside these hours are read first thing the next business day. We reply to every message within one business day — usually much sooner. If your project is time-sensitive (an upcoming launch date, a deadline), mention it in your message and we'll prioritise accordingly.
Do I need to know my budget before I reach out?+
Not at all. In fact, we'd rather understand your project first and talk about scope and investment second — because the right scope for your book might be smaller (or larger) than you assumed. If you do have a budget in mind, sharing it helps us tailor recommendations, but it's never required to start the conversation.
Can I talk to a previous client before deciding anything?+
Yes — for most services, we can connect you with a previous client in a similar genre or project type who's agreed to be a reference. Just mention this on your call or in your message, and we'll arrange it. We believe a five-minute conversation with someone who's been where you are is worth more than any testimonial we could write ourselves.
What if I take the free assessment and the result is discouraging?+
The Manuscript Readiness Assessment is designed to be useful, not discouraging — every score comes with specific, actionable next steps regardless of where you land. A lower score simply means there's more groundwork ahead, which is completely normal and true for most authors at some point. The goal is clarity about where you stand today, not a verdict on your book's worth.
I'm not based in the US. Can you still work with me?+
Yes. While our team operates on US Central Time and our processes are US-based, we work with authors worldwide. We've published books for clients across the UK, Canada, Australia, and beyond. Time zone differences are easily managed — most of our communication happens asynchronously through your Client Dashboard and email, with calls scheduled at times that work for both sides.
What if I reach out and then change my mind, or go quiet for a while?+
Completely fine — and very common. Writing a book often happens in seasons, and life gets in the way. If you go quiet after an initial conversation, we won't chase you with repeated follow-ups. When you're ready to pick the conversation back up — whether that's in two weeks or two years — just reach out again and we'll continue right where things left off.
