Butterleaf Publishing covers all production costs upfront. Editing, cover design, print & ebook production, distribution, and audiobook creation. You pay nothing. We earn when you earn.
Traditional publishers take 85-90% and still require you to pay for editing and marketing. Self-publishing requires thousands in upfront costs and hours of DIY work. Butterleaf does it differently.
Send us your manuscript. Our editorial team reviews every submission personally. If it's a fit, we'll tell you within a week.
Editorial feedback, professional editing, cover design, interior layout, print and ebook formatting, and audiobook production. All funded by Butterleaf.
Your book appears on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, indie bookstores, libraries, Apple Books, Kobo, and more — via Ingram's catalog. We handle the technical setup.
Every sale earns you 65% directly. We collect from every retailer and pay you weekly via direct deposit. No hidden deductions. Transparent reporting.
Your book is yours. You sign a publishing agreement, not a rights transfer. Leave anytime. Your rights revert back to you.
From accepted manuscript to published on every major platform. Timeline depends on manuscript readiness and revision cycles.
Butterleaf invests in every book we publish. Here's what that includes.
Every manuscript gets a full editorial assessment within 2 weeks of submission. We tell you exactly what your book needs before we move to production.
IncludedDevelopmental editing, line editing, and proofreading from experienced editors. We invest in making your book the best version of itself.
IncludedCustom cover design built for your genre. Professional design that stands out on Amazon thumbnails, bookstore shelves, and audiobook covers.
IncludedProfessional interior layout, typesetting, and formatting for print-on-demand (paperback and hardcover) and all major ebook formats (EPUB, MOBI).
IncludedAmazon, Barnes & Noble, Ingram catalog (for bookstores and libraries), Apple Books, Kobo, Draft2Digital, OverDrive, Google Play Books, and more. See how we compare to other platforms in our POD platform comparison guide.
IncludedProfessional narration, studio recording, and mastering. Distributed on Audible/ACX, Apple Books, Google Play, and Libro.fm for independent bookstores.
IncludedTraditional publishers charge you indirectly through low royalties. Self-publishing charges you upfront. Butterleaf charges you nothing.
Upfront cost. Butterleaf invests in your book. You never pay a dollar.
Royalties on every sale. Ebook, print, and audiobook. You keep the majority.
Editing, design, production, distribution, and audiobook creation all included.
| Traditional Publisher | Self-Publishing (DIY) | Butterleaf Publishing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author royalties | 10-15% | 35-70% (minus platform fees) | 65% |
| Upfront cost to author | $0 (but you pay for marketing, author copies) | $1,500 - $5,000+ | $0 |
| Editing included | ✓ (but often minimal) | ✗ You hire and pay | ✓ Professional |
| Cover design included | ✓ | ✗ $300-1,500 | ✓ |
| Bookstore distribution | ✓ | ✗ DIY via IngramSpark | ✓ |
| Audiobook included | Sometimes (ACX 40%) | ✗ $1,500+ via ACX | ✓ 65% royalties |
| Author keeps rights | ✗ Usually transferred | ✓ | ✓ Always |
| Exclusivity required | Often (KDP Select) | No | No |
Here's the typical path from submission to your book on every platform.
Send your manuscript and fill out our submission form. We review within a week.
Full manuscript assessment. We tell you what it needs before production begins.
Professional editing, cover design, and interior layout. You review and approve at each stage.
Print files, ebook files, and audiobook mastered and ready for distribution.
Your book goes live on all platforms simultaneously. You start earning 65%.
Nothing. Zero. Zilch. Butterleaf Publishing invests in your book. Editing, design, production, distribution, and audiobook creation are all covered by us. You never pay a dollar. We earn when you earn.
You earn 65% of every sale across all formats and retailers. Royalties are paid weekly via direct deposit. Visit our Author Portal to see real-time sales data and payout history.
3 to 6 months from your accepted manuscript to your book live on all platforms. The timeline depends on your manuscript's readiness and revision cycles. Ebook-only paths can be faster. We'll give you a specific timeline after review.
Yes, always. Butterleaf Publishing is a publishing partner, not a rights buyer. You sign a publishing agreement that specifies your royalty rate and our production role. You keep full copyright and can terminate the agreement and take your files with you.
We'll tell you honestly. Our editorial review identifies exactly what your manuscript needs before we start production. If it needs significant work, we'll let you know and give you time to revise. We'd rather be upfront than rush a book that isn't ready.
Yes. Butterleaf distributes to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play, and through Ingram's catalog (which reaches independent bookstores and libraries). No exclusivity required. For a full comparison of how print-on-demand platforms stack up on bookstore distribution, see our POD platform guide.
Whatever makes sense for your book. Paperback, hardcover, ebook (EPUB + MOBI), and audiobook. All production included. Audiobook production is done by professional narrators with studio-quality recording and mastering.
Same 65% royalty rate, no production cost to you. Compare that to ACX/Audible's exclusive program (40%) or their non-exclusive option (25%) - and those require you to either make your ebook exclusive or pay $1,500+ for production upfront.
No upfront cost. 65% royalties. Full production handled. Tell us about your book.
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