One of my favourite moments as an editor is sending an author their completed manuscript after finishing the last round of editing.
Months of brainstorming, rewriting, developmental edits, line edits, and countless revisions finally come together. The manuscript is stronger. The story is clearer. The author’s voice shines brighter than ever before.
It is a milestone worth celebrating.
And yet, almost every time, the celebration is followed by the same question.
“What do I do now?”
Over the years, I’ve realised that for many writers, finishing the manuscript isn’t the hardest part.
Publishing it is.
Should you pursue traditional publishing or self-publish?
Which publishers are actually a good fit for your book?
How do you write a query letter that stands out?
What exactly should go into your synopsis?
How do you approach publishers professionally?
Should you already be building your social media presence?
When does marketing begin?
How do you launch a book that actually reaches readers?
These are questions that almost every author asks, regardless of whether it’s their first book or their fifth.
Unfortunately, this is also where many wonderful manuscripts lose momentum.
Some authors spend years waiting without knowing how to approach publishers effectively. Others rush into self-publishing without understanding metadata, distribution, pricing, or discoverability. Many begin marketing only after the book is released, by which time valuable opportunities have already been missed.
Writing a book and publishing a book require two very different skill sets.
And while there are countless resources available online, very few are tailored to your manuscript, your goals, and your publishing journey.
That is precisely why Verbatik Media is introducing Publishing Consultancy.
Rather than offering generic advice, our consultancy is designed to help authors make informed decisions at every stage after editing—from choosing the right publishing path to preparing submissions, building an author platform, planning a launch, and creating a long-term strategy for their writing career.
Every author’s journey is unique. Some writers simply need help preparing a professional submission package. Others want a clear roadmap while handling most of the work themselves. And some prefer ongoing strategic guidance throughout the entire publishing and launch process.
To support these different needs, we’ve introduced four consultancy options.
Option A: Publishing Consultancy
Ideal for authors pursuing traditional publishing who want clarity and confidence before submitting their manuscript.
This consultancy includes guidance on:
- Developing a personalised publishing strategy
- Identifying suitable publishers
- Creating a practical submission timeline
- Reviewing your query letter, synopsis, author biography, and submission documents
- Refining your submission package through one round of feedback
- Understanding the submission process
- Interpreting publisher responses
- Reviewing publishing contracts from a commercial and practical perspective (non-legal)
Option B: Strategic Publishing & Author Platform Consultancy
Publishing today is no longer just about writing a great book.
Readers increasingly connect with authors long before publication, making author branding and visibility an important part of the journey.
This consultancy expands beyond submissions to help you build your long-term presence as an author.
It includes everything in the Publishing Consultancy, along with:
- Author branding and positioning
- Defining your unique voice and target readership
- Guidance on setting up and optimising your online author presence
- Communication strategy and content pillars
- Pre-launch marketing roadmap
- ARC (Advance Review Copy) and reviewer outreach strategy
- Personal strategy consultations
- Ongoing support throughout the consultancy period
For authors seeking more hands-on guidance, this consultancy can also include:
- A detailed publishing content calendar
- Suggested post and reel ideas
- Content themes mapped across your publishing timeline
- Launch campaign planning
- Feedback on content before publication
- Ongoing refinement of your strategy as your publishing journey evolves
Option C: Complete Publishing Consultancy
This is our most comprehensive consultancy, designed for authors who would like a dedicated strategic partner from manuscript completion through publication and launch.
In addition to everything covered in the earlier consultancies, this service includes guidance on:
- Managing publisher submissions
- Long-term marketing planning
- Book launch strategy
- Metadata and discoverability
- Cover positioning
- Pricing strategy
- Printing and production guidance for self-publishing
- Amazon optimisation
- Goodreads campaign planning
- ARC campaign execution strategy
- Media outreach recommendations
- Launch event planning
- Regular strategic review sessions throughout the publishing process
Think of this as having an experienced publishing consultant beside you during every major decision.
Option D: Publisher Submission Package
Some authors have already decided to approach publishers and simply want to ensure their submission is as strong and professional as possible.
This focused package includes:
- Researching suitable publishers
- Developing a submission strategy and timeline
- Reviewing your query letter, synopsis, author biography, and submission materials
- A final submission audit
- A comprehensive submission checklist
- A publisher submission tracker
- Guidance on submission emails
- One round of post-submission support
Additional Publishing Services
Authors may also choose individual services based on their needs, including:
- Query letter development
- Synopsis development
- Publisher submission preparation
- Author website content
- Goodreads profile setup and optimisation
- Amazon Author Central setup
- Press kit development
- Comprehensive marketing strategy documents
- Launch campaign planning
- Ongoing social media management
These services can be combined with the consultancy packages or undertaken independently.
Every Book Deserves a Publishing Strategy
At Verbatik Media, we’ve always believed that editing is about giving a manuscript its strongest possible foundation.
Publishing Consultancy extends that philosophy beyond the manuscript itself.
Whether your goal is to secure a traditional publishing deal, independently publish your book, or simply understand your options before making an important decision, our role is to help you navigate the publishing world with clarity, confidence, and strategy.
No two books are the same.
No two authors are the same.
Your publishing journey shouldn’t be either.
If you’re unsure which consultancy would be the right fit for your book, we’d be delighted to discuss your goals and recommend the path that best aligns with your publishing aspirations.
Because finishing your manuscript isn’t the end of the journey. It’s the beginning of a new one.
Which Consultancy Is Right for You?
| If you are… | Recommended Service |
|---|---|
| You’ve finished editing and want to approach traditional publishers with confidence. | Publishing Consultancy |
| You want guidance on both publishing and building your presence as an author. | Strategic Publishing & Author Platform Consultancy |
| You’d like detailed content planning and ongoing strategic feedback throughout your publishing journey. | Strategic Publishing & Author Platform Consultancy (Extended) |
| You want an experienced publishing consultant to guide you from manuscript to launch. | Complete Publishing Consultant |
| Your submission materials are almost ready, and you simply want to ensure they’re professionally prepared before approaching publishers. | Publisher Submission Package |
| You only need help with a specific aspect of publishing, such as a query letter, synopsis, press kit, or author platform. | Individual Publishing Services |
No two publishing journeys look alike, and that’s exactly why these consultancies have been designed as flexible, personalised services rather than one-size-fits-all packages.
If you’re unsure where your manuscript currently stands—or which level of support would benefit you most—we’re always happy to have a conversation and recommend the option that aligns best with your publishing goals.
Please note: Every consultancy begins with an initial discussion about your manuscript, publishing goals, and timeline. This helps us recommend the most suitable strategy and ensures our guidance is tailored specifically to your book rather than following a generic publishing strategy.
So, if you are ready for the next step, book a consultation with us now.
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