Services
Everything a book needs, from first idea to finished shelf.
Some authors come to us for a complete publishing partnership. Others need one part of the process done exceptionally well. First book or fifteenth, the standard is the same.
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Complete publishing
One partner from wherever the book is today to published and on sale. Every stage handled, one plan, one standard, under the Ironlight name.
II
Individual services
Exactly what the book needs and nothing it does not: a single edit, a cover, a production run or a full launch. Under your own imprint or ours.
Start anywhere
Wherever your book is, we take it from there.
First book or fifteenth. A spark of an idea or files ready for press. Ironlight works at every stage and every level of experience.
You have
An idea
Every book starts somewhere. We help shape the concept, define the readership and build the outline, then support the writing with coaching, developmental feedback or a full writing collaboration.
Start from hereYou have
A draft in progress
Developmental feedback while you write, so the book finds its structure early. Chapter reviews, a steady rhythm and a clear route to a finished manuscript.
Start from hereYou have
A finished manuscript
A full evaluation, then editing at the depth the book needs: developmental, line, copyedit and proof. Design, production and release follow under one roof.
Start from hereYou have
A print-ready book
Files ready to go? We handle registration, metadata, production checks, printing, distribution and launch, so the book reaches every shelf it should.
Start from hereYou have
A published book
New cover, revised edition, wider distribution or a proper relaunch. We give existing books a second life, whether self-published or returned from another publisher.
Start from hereEvery service, under one roof.
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Book development
For books that are still an idea or a draft: concept, audience, outline and structure, with coaching or developmental feedback while the writing happens.
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Writing collaboration
Collaborative writing and ghostwriting for authors with a story to tell and no time or wish to write every word themselves.
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Manuscript evaluation
A close reading of the full manuscript and a written assessment of structure, voice, market and exactly what the book needs next.
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Editorial
Developmental and line editing, then copyediting and proofreading. Sharper prose, and the voice stays the author's own.
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Cover and interior design
Covers that read at thumbnail size and hold up on a shelf. Interiors set with real typographic care, in print and digital.
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Illustration
For picture books and illustrated editions: art direction, character development and page-by-page layout.
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Production
Print-ready hardcover and paperback files, reflowable and fixed-layout ebooks, and proofing, prepared to printer and retailer specification.
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Registration and metadata
ISBNs, copyright registration, Library of Congress data, subject categories, keywords and descriptions that help the book get found.
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Distribution
Print-on-demand and ebook distribution to major online retailers, bookstores and libraries in markets worldwide.
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Audiobook
Narration casting, production oversight and distribution to the leading audiobook platforms.
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Launch and marketing
Positioning, retailer pages, press materials, author platform and a launch plan built around the book's real readership.
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New editions and relaunches
New covers, revised editions, wider distribution and full relaunches for books already in the world, whoever published them first.
How a book is made here.
A complete publication moves through six stages. Individual services can begin at any one of them.
- 1
Begin
We start wherever the book is: an idea, a draft or finished files. We read everything and map a clear path to publication.
- 2
Edit
Developmental and line editing, then copyediting and proof. The book gets stronger; the voice stays the author's.
- 3
Design
Cover, interior and, where the book calls for it, illustration, all designed together as a single object.
- 4
Produce
Hardcover, paperback, ebook and audio, each prepared to printer and retailer specification.
- 5
Distribute
Registered, catalogued and made available to booksellers and libraries around the world.
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Endure
Metadata, retailer pages and the author's presence, maintained long after launch day.
Wherever your book is, start here.
An idea, a draft, a finished manuscript or a book that deserves a second life. Tell us where it stands and we will map the way from there.