August Isley Books is a mission-driven hybrid publisher. That means we combine the creative partnership of traditional publishing with the flexibility and author ownership of self‑publishing. You retain your rights, your royalties, and your voice — and we provide the professional support to bring your book to life.

Yes. You retain full ownership of your manuscript, your intellectual property, and your royalties. We are your publishing partner, not your rights holder.

You’re never expected to figure that out alone. If you’re unsure, we can schedule a consultation to review your manuscript, your goals, and your timeline. Together, we’ll build a plan that fits your needs and your budget.

Two issues here:

1. Self-publishing is not actual publishing; it is printing. You send your book to an organization, and it prints it as it is - warts and all. Then you wonder why no one will buy your book. Or maybe they bought your first book but won't touch your second book. Misspelled words, improper punctuation, atrocious grammar - these are three reasons why books are rejected by today's literate readers. Best-selling and award-winning books also share an eloquence in their flow, fluency, voice, storyline, and evolution of plot. The denouement of a book leaves the reader yearning to buy your next book. If your manuscript checks all these boxes, go and self-publish with our best wishes. If not, why not ask for help? We're here. 
2. Let's say you want to sell your house. You can put a sign in your yard and that's it. You'll handle all the legalities and reap the profits. Yea, you! But what if you paid someone to clean your house first? And what if you hired a decorator to develop a color scheme for your walls and window treatments? Did you hire a building inspector? How about the legal stuff - (for books, think - a title search, Fictitious Proper Noun Disclaimer, Copyright rules and regulations, and the difference between distribution rights and intellectual property rights)? How do you plan to show your house when you are not available? And how do you protect your household items from theft during those showings? How and where do you advertise your house for the best audience pool? Yes, it costs money to hire a professional to help sell your house. But if you want your house to present itself in the best light, the cost is worth it in the long run.Now, apply this analogy to your manuscript.

Flat rates work best for services that take a predictable amount of time — such as query letters, branding, website setup, or marketing materials.
Editing and manuscript‑dependent services vary widely based on word count, so tiered pricing ensures fairness and transparency.

For editing and manuscript‑based services, pricing is based on word count:

• Up to 50,000 words → Base price
• 50,001–80,000 words → +20%
• 80,001–120,000 words → +40%
• 120,001–150,000 words → +60%
• 150,000+ words → Custom quote

This structure ensures that longer manuscripts receive the time and care they require.

No. You will always receive a clear, written quote before any work begins. If your project changes, we’ll discuss adjustments together. You remain in control at every step.

No. We will accept most major credit cards, and those credit cards are well-versed in payment plans. Why reinvent the wheel?  

We do bill for certain services - like maintenance - based on time-on-task, after the initial fee has been paid.

It depends on your manuscript’s stage:

• Basic Editing: Light cleanup and clarity
• Advanced Editing: Stronger structural and stylistic support
• Deep Edit: Comprehensive, line‑by‑line refinement
• Full Manuscript Polishing: A complete, publication‑ready overhaul

If you’re unsure, we can review a sample chapter and recommend the best fit.

Yes. We work with fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, academic writing, and more. If your project has unique needs, we’ll tailor our approach accordingly.

Absolutely. You can choose individual services or build a custom package. There is no requirement to purchase a full publishing package.

If you don’t agree with our suggestions, don’t follow them. I would ask you to pause for a moment and wonder why you would pay professionals to help you get your book in shape and then not follow their advice.

Imagine for a moment, you are sitting in your cardiologist's office. She has just informed you that you must have open heart surgery this week or you will die. You respond to her: "It's OK. I googled how to do this. All I need is a sharpened spoon and a ball of twine. I'll be fine. I can do this myself."

Yes, I absolutely agree with you, you can publish a book without our expert advice. But will that book sell? Will it be accepted by the choice publisher or aggressive agent you want? Will it win awards? Or will the box of books sit in your basement - pathetic witnesses to your ability to write but your inability to realize what it takes to be an author?

Our publishing package includes:

• Professional editing
• Interior layout
• Cover design
• ISBN and registration
• Distribution setup
• Marketing materials
• Author support throughout the process

You retain your rights and royalties.

No publisher can guarantee acceptance — and any who claim to should be approached with caution. What we do guarantee is that your materials will be polished, professional, and aligned with industry expectations.

Yes. We provide narration, editing, mastering, and production using the industry‑standard “per finished hour” model. You’ll receive a clear estimate before we begin.

Branding helps readers recognize you, trust you, and return for future books. Whether you’re launching your first title or building a long‑term author identity, branding creates consistency and confidence.

• Establishing Your Brand: Foundational identity (logo, colors, tone)
• Building Your Brand: Website, visuals, and platform setup
• Promoting Your Brand: Marketing, outreach, and audience growth
• Brand Guidance (Quarterly): Ongoing support and strategy

Each package builds on the one before it.

Technically no — but it’s highly recommended. A website gives you a professional home base, a place to sell books, and a platform for future growth.

Yes. We can set up your store, add products, configure payment systems, and help you manage your online presence.

Absolutely. We can guide you through domain selection, setup, and professional email configuration.

We can update it, refine it, or integrate new features. You’re welcome to bring your existing site into the process.

You don't have to do that. We can add pages to your website for each one of your books. 

But if you want to buy a domain and/or build a website or have a book-specific or a character-specific email for each of your books, we can help you do that.

Can you imagine one of your fans receiving an email from your main character? We'd love to make that happen.