FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Things to know about our services and process
Who is the best fit for Wise Ink?
Wise Ink Media clients support building a better and more equitable world. We share stories that uplift, inspire, and inform. We do that through:
Book publishing (including ebook production, audiobook production, and distribution)
Content strategy (including newsletters, social media, and publicity)
Digital advertising (including Amazon and Meta ads)
Video creation (for advertisements, social media, and speaking demos)
Crowdfunding strategy support for creative projects (hosted on platforms such as Kickstarter)
Writing support (for books, articles, podcasts, keynote talks, and digital product descriptions)
Web design and search engine optimization
Wise Ink Media is the best fit for mission-driven speakers, educators, thought leaders, executives, business, and nonprofit founders who want to use their work to change the world. They have a clear idea of how they will use their communications strategy to leverage or grow their platform. They have a vision for how they plan to serve their audience and have asked themselves some of the following questions:
• How do you want your book/media strategy to impact the world?
• How do you hope your content strategy will impact your life?
• What is your goal for publishing, writing op-eds, and/or optimizing the way you tell your story?
• How do you see your media and communication plan fitting into your big-picture goals?
• What movements do you see your message fitting into?
• How do you imagine using your media plan to accomplish your dreams?
Do you work with everyone?
No. We accept about 20% of all clients who approach us. With a team of strategy-oriented people, we favor clients with the drive and introspection to achieve success on a commercial scale in an independent model. We consider ourselves our clients’ first line of defense—we won’t let you make an investment that leaves you unsatisfied. Sometimes, that means we aren’t the best partner in delivering your message.
The bulk of the content we distribute is adult nonfiction or children’s media, often books that center social justice, wellness, or unique perspectives that improve lives.
We are not currently accepting queries for novels or poetry. We also tend to decline work that is highly personal or specific (e.g. meant to only be read by close family or colleagues), deeply religious, or has no obvious trade market.
What’s the difference between traditional and indie publishing?
Indie publishing is a process where the author funds the book’s production and makes all of the profit when the book is in distribution. It gives the author more flexibility around the production timeline, more creative control, and more control over book distribution and marketing. At the end of the process, the publisher doesn’t take royalties. Wise Ink is an indie publisher.*
Traditional publishing requires a literary agent who will pitch your book to publishers. If a publisher acquires your book, they will pay you an advance and your agent will get a cut (usually ~15%). The publisher funds the production of the book, and keeps most of the profit when the book is in distribution. The author does not start to receive their royalties (usually around 8-10% of profit) until the publisher has made back the author’s advance.
All publishing models benefit from authors who are willing to put themselves out there. While the entity who invests in the process has the most to gain, audiences care most about authors, not publishers. YOU are the reason they want to read your book. (Which is why the strategy questions above are so important!)
* In some contexts, “indie” refers to a smaller traditional press. We are using it in the way we’ve defined here. Other times, publishers like Wise Ink are referred to as “hybrid,” because they follow a financial model where the author invests in book production but a production model that reflects the high literary and aesthetic standards associated with traditional publishing. Some hybrid publishers take royalties from book sales—Wise Ink does not.
Most of our authors spend about a year working with us from the time they start their project until the time their book is in distribution. During that time, authors work with a project manager who helps handpick designers, editors, and proofreaders with stellar reputations. We craft a marketing plan, revise your content, copyedit, illustrate, design the cover and interior, proofread, print, and set you up for distribution (with mainstream retailer, ebook, and audiobook options).
Depending on the special circumstances of your project, you may require more or less time than normal. That is totally fine! We are more concerned with launching a quality book than rushing to meet an arbitrary deadline, and we never kick our authors out the door. From the time you begin working with us, we are partners, and we will continue to provide resources after your book launch.
What’s a general timeline?
Does my manuscript need to be complete before I pitch it to you?
We meet authors at all stages of the writing process, even if you just have an idea. Our expert writing coaches and developmental editors will help you craft a book with high literary merit before we even go into copyediting. We work with editors, illustrators, and designers who have cut their teeth in both indie and traditional publishing, so there is no need to bring a team to the table (that’s what we’re for!). If your first draft is complete, that’s great too!
How should I query Wise Ink?
Clients come to us at all stages of the writing and ideation process. However, once you contact us, our project managers will want to look at an outline or a sample of your writing or desired content strategy. That will help us gauge if we are a good fit for each other.
Here are some tips to help you get your work ready to query:
Check all spelling, hyphens, capitals, numbers, and important names and terms. Check that subjects and verbs agree.
Make sure your book's purpose is clear to your reader (this is a helpful assignment for beta readers).
Use a grammar checker such as Grammarly to find passive voice sentences and rewrite them in the active voice.
Check capitalization in all chapter and section titles.
Cut text that doesn't add to or serve your book. Proofread everything that you send out, or send it to a trusted friend to proofread. Fresh eyes help!