The Work

The whole book.
Not a pile of vendors.

Sentinel House Press coordinates editorial, design, production, distribution, and author-platform work as one publishing system.

Tell us about your manuscript
MANUSCRIPT
EDITORIAL
DESIGN
DISTRIBUTION
PLATFORM

Business model

Sell expertise first.
Share risk selectively.

The default model is author-funded professional services with tightly scoped packages and milestone payments. More complicated arrangements should be earned through evidence, not romance.

Initial service universe

Support shaped around the book.

Services can be purchased as focused engagements or combined into a coordinated publishing package. Final scope follows assessment, not guesswork.

01

Manuscript assessment and publishing strategy

A rigorous review of the manuscript, intended reader, market position, editorial needs, publishing options, production path, timeline, budget, and likely risks.

Editorial memoPublishing pathScope recommendationRisk review
02

Developmental editing for memoir and nonfiction

Deep structural work on argument, narrative architecture, pacing, clarity, emotional movement, chapter sequence, and reader experience.

StructureNarrativePositioningRevision plan
03

Copyediting and proofreading

Sentence-level clarity, grammar, consistency, style, citations, and final quality control through distinct editorial stages.

CopyeditProofreadStyle sheetQuality control
04

Book cover, interior design, and production

Concept-driven cover direction, interior page design, print and ebook formatting, file preparation, proof review, and production coordination.

Cover designInterior layoutPrint filesEbook files
05

KDP, IngramSpark, metadata, and distribution setup

ISBN guidance, categories, keywords, retailer description, pricing logic, account setup, proof review, and distribution settings. Author accounts remain author controlled.

MetadataKDPIngramSparkDistribution
06

Author website design and sales pathways

A distinctive, accessible author website built around the book, the author’s wider work, direct and retailer sales paths, email capture, search visibility, and analytics.

Website strategyResponsive buildSEOAnalytics
07

Book launch strategy and platform support

Launch sequencing, email planning, media materials, retailer links, event assets, content strategy, measurement, and post-launch reader development.

Launch planEmailMarketing assetsMeasurement

Four ways into the work

Choose by manuscript need, not package theater.

Every engagement is scoped after assessment. Timelines and fees depend on manuscript length, complexity, readiness, contractor needs, and the number of decisions still unresolved.

01 / ASSESS

Find the right path.

For authors who need a rigorous diagnosis before committing to editing, production, or publication.

Starting condition
Complete or substantial manuscript, uncertain publishing path.
Deliverables
Editorial diagnosis, publishing route, risk review, scope, timeline, and budget framework.
Typical timeline
Two to four weeks after manuscript intake.
Pricing approach
Fixed fee based on word count and review depth.
Not included
Manuscript revision, design, formatting, platform setup, or guaranteed publication.
Request an assessment
02 / DEVELOP

Strengthen the manuscript.

For authors whose book needs structural, narrative, sentence-level, or final editorial work.

Starting condition
A complete draft with defined goals and willingness to revise.
Deliverables
Developmental edit, copyedit, proofreading, or a staged editorial plan as scoped.
Typical timeline
Four to sixteen weeks depending on stage and length.
Pricing approach
Fixed project fee with milestone payments and defined review rounds.
Not included
Unlimited revisions, ghostwriting, legal review, citation verification, or production unless added.
Explore editorial work
03 / PUBLISH

Build the book.

For authors with a production-ready manuscript who need a professional book object and publishing setup.

Starting condition
Final or near-final manuscript with editorial approval.
Deliverables
Cover, interior, print and ebook files, metadata, KDP, IngramSpark, proofing, and launch-ready assets as scoped.
Typical timeline
Eight to sixteen weeks after final manuscript approval.
Pricing approach
Fixed package plus clearly identified third-party and contractor costs.
Not included
Guaranteed sales, bookstore placement, bulk printing, or open-ended post-launch support.
Explore production work
04 / EXTEND

Build beyond launch.

For authors who need a credible digital home, reader pathways, launch plan, and ongoing visibility system.

Starting condition
A defined book, author identity, and realistic audience goals.
Deliverables
Author website, sales pathways, launch sequence, email structure, analytics, and selected marketing assets.
Typical timeline
Six to twelve weeks depending on site and launch scope.
Pricing approach
Fixed project fee or capped retainer for explicitly defined ongoing work.
Not included
Guaranteed media coverage, audience growth, sales volume, or unlimited marketing support.
Explore platform work
Not sure which path fits?Begin with the manuscript assessment. The recommendation comes before the package.
Tell us about your manuscript

Investment orientation

Professional publishing is scoped, not guessed.

Sentinel House Press is not positioned as the cheapest upload service. Pricing reflects manuscript length, complexity, editorial stage, specialist costs, revision exposure, project management, and the judgment required to coordinate the whole book.

01

Assessment

Paid, fixed-fee work with a defined review depth and a written recommendation.

02

Editorial

Fixed project fee, staged by editorial level, manuscript length, and review rounds.

03

Production

Fixed package plus clearly itemized contractor, platform, and third-party costs.

04

Platform

Fixed project fee or capped retainer with explicit hours, access, and deliverables.

Capacity: no more than two major publishing engagements at one time. Start dates are reserved through deposit and written scope.

Every package defines

What is sold, to whom, and within what boundaries.

“Full publishing support” is not a scope. It is a phrase waiting to become a dispute.

Target client
Scope of work
Deliverables
Timeline
Revision limits
Client responsibilities
Price
Payment schedule
Optional add-ons
Exclusions
Founder hours
Expected margin

Pricing discipline

Price the whole project, not just the visible labor.

Authors are not buying keystrokes. They are buying judgment, orchestration, coordination, risk reduction, and a finished result.

Pricing accounts for labor, contractor costs, software, communication, revisions, project management, payment processing, risk, overhead, founder compensation, and profit.

  • Non-refundable deposit to reserve capacity
  • Milestone payments tied to defined stages
  • Written change orders for work outside scope
  • Defined revision rounds
  • Rush fees when compressed timelines displace other work

Specialist publishing support

Focused help for specific decisions.

MemoirMemoir publishing servicesNonfictionNonfiction publishing servicesEditingDevelopmental editing for memoirProductionBook design and formattingDistributionKDP and IngramSpark setupStrategyPublishing consultation
Vintage-style panorama of Plymouth Harbor

From Plymouth to the page

Professional guidance, built in America’s Hometown.

Our work carries the discipline of a working harbor: assess the conditions, chart the route, prepare the vessel, and do not confuse hope with navigation.

Why Plymouth matters

Need help deciding what the manuscript actually needs?

Begin with a manuscript and publishing assessment. The recommendation comes before the package.

Request an assessment