Division 01 · PublishingJ Merrill One ↗
Services
Publishing Services

Support for every
stage of the book.

Every author arrives with a different need. Some need help strengthening the manuscript. Some need professional design and production. Some need distribution, launch support, or a long-term author platform. J Merrill Publishing helps match the right services to the work in front of us.

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You do not need to know every service your book needs before reaching out. We help identify the right support after we understand the manuscript, the author, and the goal.

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Editorial SupportGhostwriting SupportAuthor Education & Community SupportDesign & ProductionDistribution PreparationAudiobook & Expanded FormatsChildren's PublishingFaith, Ministry, and Specialty Publishing SupportMarketing & Launch SupportAuthor Platform SupportPublishing Guidance & Planning Support
Start With What Your Book Needs

The right support
depends on the book.

A children’s book, memoir, devotional, poetry collection, business book, and legacy project do not all need the same path. Our services are designed to support the manuscript, the author’s goals, and the kind of reader the book is meant to reach.

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Manuscript readiness

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Genre and format

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Editorial needs

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Design complexity

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Distribution goals

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Launch and visibility needs

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Long-term author plans

Core Service Areas

The kinds of support
authors may need most.

These service areas are here to help authors understand what kind of support may strengthen the manuscript, protect the voice, prepare the release, and support the long-term life of the work.

Editorial Support

Strengthening the manuscript while preserving the author’s voice.

Design & Production

Creating a professional cover, interior, and book files ready for publication.

Distribution Preparation

Preparing the book’s metadata, formats, and files for marketplace access.

Marketing & Launch Support

Helping authors think through visibility, readers, messaging, and launch assets.

Audiobook & Expanded Formats

Supporting books that need audio, hardcover, large print, or other formats.

Author Platform Support

Helping authors think beyond one book into audience, visibility, and long-term growth.

Faith, Ministry, and Specialty Publishing Support

Supporting books with faith, ministry, legacy, or community impact.

Before Publishing

Before publishing:
shape the work.

This stage is about strengthening the manuscript, clarifying the message, and identifying the right path before the book moves into production. The goal is to honor the work before we start building around it.

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Editorial Support

Strengthen the manuscript with professional editorial care that protects the author’s voice while making the work clearer, stronger, and more ready for readers.

Manuscript Evaluation
Written assessment of your manuscript's strengths, structure, and publishing readiness.
Developmental Editing
Big-picture work on structure, clarity, narrative arc, pacing, and overall readability.
Line Editing
Sentence-level attention to style, flow, tone, and language.
Copy Editing
Grammar, punctuation, consistency, and adherence to style guides.
Proofreading
Final-pass review before the file goes to print or digital distribution.
Co-Author Coordination
Managing multiple contributors, co-writers, or anthology contributors under one project.
AI Sensitivity Reading
AI-assisted content review for representation, language, and unintentional harm.
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Ghostwriting Support

Help shape the manuscript when the story, message, ministry, or expertise is clear but the finished book still needs to be written.

Ghostwriting – Short
Short nonfiction, devotionals, ministry booklets, memoir. 10,000–25,000 words.
Ghostwriting – Standard
Full-length nonfiction, faith-based books, memoir, self-help. 25,000–50,000 words.
Ghostwriting – Extended
Extended nonfiction, trade books, comprehensive ministry and leadership titles. 50,000–75,000 words.
Ghostwriting – Premium
Major trade books, legacy projects, flagship ministry titles. 75,000–100,000 words.
Anthology Creation
Multi-contributor compilations — churches, author collectives, memorial volumes. Scope varies; Publisher-reviewed.
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Author Education & Community Support

Give authors added coaching, publishing education, and strategic support when the work calls for more than production alone.

Author Workshop (Virtual)
Group publishing education through recurring virtual sessions.
Self-Paced Publishing Course
Asynchronous publishing education for authors at any stage.
Publishing Strategy Consultation
Strategic consultation covering roadmap, format decisions, and author career planning.
Author Coaching Session
One-on-one coaching on publishing progress, mindset, and accountability.
Rights Catalog Creation
Professional rights sheet and metadata for licensing outreach.
Copyright Registration
Support for filing with the U.S. Copyright Office.
During Production

During production:
prepare the book professionally.

Once the manuscript is moving forward, the work shifts into design, formatting, metadata, formats, and distribution preparation that help the book enter the marketplace with professional care.

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Design & Production

Prepare the book with professional cover design, interior layout, and production files that feel worthy of the message and ready for publication.

Cover Design
Custom front cover design from concept through print-ready file.
Premium Cover Design
Original graphics, illustration, and full wrap for front, back, and spine.
Interior Layout & Typesetting
Print-ready interior files prepared for professional distribution standards through our Ingram Content partnership.
eBook Conversion
Optimized EPUB for digital distribution across Apple Books, Kobo, Amazon, and library channels.
Hardcover Formatting
Hardcover-ready interior and dust jacket setup.
Large Print Formatting
Accessibility-compliant large print editions for broader reader reach.
Devotional / Curriculum Formatting
Workbook structure, discussion questions, and curriculum layout for ministry use.
Accessible EPUB (WCAG)
WCAG-conscious eBook formatting for institutional and library requirements.
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Distribution Preparation

Prepare the book’s metadata, files, and format setup so it can move into the marketplace with professional distribution support.

Print Distribution Setup
Ingram Content setup for global print reach through wholesale and retail channels.
Digital Distribution Setup
Ingram Content setup for eBook and audiobook delivery across major platforms.
Distribution Upgrade
Expanded distribution support for titles with larger operational needs.
Library Distribution
Metadata optimization for OverDrive, Libby, and Baker & Taylor pathways.
Title Transfer / Republishing
ISBN transition, metadata cleanup, and platform migration for existing titles.
Metadata Optimization
Keyword and BISAC optimization for Ingram Content distribution and retailer discovery.
Revised Edition Service
New edition setup with updated content, refreshed metadata, and new ISBN guidance.
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Audiobook & Expanded Formats

Support books that need audio, premium formats, or additional reader-access pathways beyond the standard print-and-eBook release.

AI Audiobook Production
Professional AI narration with audio formatting and digital distribution setup.
Professional Narrated Audiobook
Human-narrated, studio-quality audiobook production for premium titles.
Audiobook Distribution Setup
Distribution configuration through our Ingram Content partnership and leading audiobook channels.
Royalty Share Production Coordination
ACX royalty-share pathway coordination for select titles.
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Children's Publishing

Support illustrated, youth, and family-centered books with the specialized design, production, and publishing care they require.

Children's Book Publishing Package
Full-service publishing path with editorial, illustration coordination, layout, ISBN, and distribution.
Illustrated Book Layout
Typography, image placement, and print-ready formatting for illustrated titles.
Illustrated Book Production Setup
Color profile verification, bleed setup, and printer-ready production prep.
Children's Book Illustration
Character development, scene illustration, and print-ready artwork.
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Faith, Ministry, and Specialty Publishing Support

Support books shaped for ministry, legacy, curriculum, church distribution, and community impact with publishing care that understands the audience.

CBA Market Distribution
Christian Booksellers Association positioning and faith retail access.
Church Bookstore Placement
Placement support for ministry bookstores and church resource tables.
Bible Study Kit Creation
Book content structured into a full Bible study or group curriculum with leader guide.
Devotional / Curriculum Formatting
Workbook layout, discussion questions, and ministry-ready curriculum structure.
Ministry Bulk Licensing
Licensing coordination for church, conference, and institutional bulk usage.
Conference & Event Sales Setup
Author event and conference sales logistics and setup support.
After Launch

After launch:
keep building the author relationship.

Publication does not have to be the end of the support. This stage is about helping authors think beyond the release itself into visibility, platform, future growth, and continued relationship.

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Marketing & Launch Support

Help authors think through visibility, launch timing, messaging, and the practical steps needed to introduce the book well.

Book Launch Strategy Session
Timeline, channel strategy, ARC plan, and launch-week guide.
ARC Campaign Management
Advance reader copy distribution, reviewer outreach, and tracking.
Amazon Ads Setup
Sponsored Products setup with keyword research and bid configuration.
Amazon Ads Management
Ongoing optimization, bid adjustments, and performance reporting.
Press Release Distribution
Written press release distributed to media outlets via press network.
Social Media Promotion Package
Platform-ready content for Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
BookTok / Reels Video Package
Short-form video content tailored for TikTok and Reels.
Complete Launch Marketing Program
Full program spanning strategy, press, social, and campaign coordination.
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Author Platform Support

Support authors who need to strengthen visibility, audience connection, and long-term growth beyond a single release.

Author Profile Page
Publisher-credentialed author page included with all publishing packages.
Enhanced Author Page
Expanded profile with speaking section, press kit, email capture, and CTA buttons.
Author Website
Standalone website with custom design, SEO, analytics, and email integration.
Author Branding Package
Brand voice guidelines, bio versions, and positioning assets.
Speaking & Media Kit
Speaker one-sheet, headshot usage guidance, and media-ready bios.
Lead Magnet Funnel Setup
Landing page, lead magnet, and email sequence for audience growth.
Author Portal (Power Apps)
Future Power Apps dashboard integrated with Dataverse and royalty reporting.
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Publishing Guidance & Planning Support

Use guided analysis, positioning support, and launch-planning tools to help the book move forward with stronger clarity and decision-making.

AI Manuscript Analysis
AI-assisted evaluation of structure, pacing, and market positioning.
AI Marketing Starter Kit
AI-generated descriptions, keyword strategy, and social assets.
AI Launch Kit
A fuller marketing asset set spanning copy, social, and launch timing.
AI Metadata Optimization
Keyword and BISAC optimization for professional retail and library distribution.
AI Cover Concept Ideation
AI-generated cover direction concepts for designer briefing.
AI Sensitivity Reading
Content review for language, representation, and unintended harm.
Ghostwriting Support

Need help writing
the book first?

Some authors have the story, message, ministry, or expertise before they have the finished manuscript. Ghostwriting and manuscript-development support can help shape the work before it enters the publishing path.

Ghostwriting remains part of the normal publishing support available through JMP. If the message is clear but the manuscript is not finished yet, we can help you understand whether ghostwriting or manuscript-development support is the right next step.

Explore Ghostwriting Support →
Next Step

Not sure what support
your book needs?

Tell us about your manuscript, your goals, and where you are in the journey. We will help you understand which services or publishing path fit best.

Tell Us About Your BookView Publishing Packages