What you write
should not disappear.
J Merrill Publishing exists because authors deserve a publisher that believes in them — not just a service that processes their manuscript.
Helping Authors
Help Themselves.
J Merrill Publishing, Inc. is a full-service, author-focused publishing company committed to excellence, empowerment, and inclusivity. Founded by Jackie Smith, Jr. in Columbus, OH, our mission is to give every author access to professional-grade publishing — without the gatekeeping.
We believe every author deserves a publishing home — not just a transaction. We walk with our authors through every stage of their journey: from manuscript evaluation through publication, launch, and long-term career building.
We believe in transparency, high standards, and publishing solutions that evolve with technology — from AI-powered production to the enterprise-grade distribution infrastructure of the Ingram Content Group, giving our authors access to 450+ distribution channels that most independent publishers can't offer.
Founded in December 2018 by Jackie Smith Jr. after publishing his first two books, J Merrill Publishing was built on a simple conviction: that authors deserve a true partner — not just a vendor. Authors retain full ownership of their intellectual property. We retain no rights to any manuscript, title, or creative work published through our services. 70% of royalties stay with the author.
The principles that
govern everything we do
One of four divisions.
One unified system.
J Merrill Publishing is Division 01 of the J Merrill One enterprise platform — a unified system that also includes J Merrill Financial, J Merrill Foundation, and J Merrill Productions. Every division shares one data layer, one governance model, and one intelligence infrastructure.
Authors who publish with JMP have a natural pathway into the broader JM1 ecosystem — estate planning to protect their intellectual property, media production to amplify their message, and community impact to extend their legacy.
Explore J Merrill One ↗Ready to join the family?
Tell us about your book and your vision. We'll build a plan around your goals.