Selective, not pay-to-publish
Authors apply, and each book is reviewed for quality, professionalism, readiness, rights, subject matter, and fit before it can carry the Making Sense Press imprint.
Independent publishing for authors with meaningful books
Making Sense Press — Publishing Support for Independent Authors
Books That Inform. Inspire. Transport. Transform.
Making Sense Press is a selective independent publishing press. We publish original works by Lisa Tarves and approved independent authors, and we welcome writers who are looking for a professional publishing home with clear standards, transparency, and author control.
Author benefit
Keep your royalties. Keep control. Making Sense Press takes 0% of your author royalties.
Your retailer or publishing-platform royalties are paid directly to you through your own account. Making Sense Press does not collect, hold, calculate, administer, or distribute your royalties.
A different publishing path
Why Making Sense Press Is Different
Selective publishing. Author choice. No forced service bundles. 0% of your author royalties.
No forced service bundles
Don’t pay for services you don’t need. Authors are not required to buy editing, design, formatting, marketing, or other production services they may already have covered.
Use the resources that make sense for you
Authors may work with their own qualified professionals. The Making Sense Press Professional Directory is available as an optional resource when help locating support is useful.
Keep your royalties
Making Sense Press takes 0% of your author royalties. Retailer and publishing-platform royalties are paid directly to the author through the author’s own account.
Human publishing guidance
Depending on the selected program, support can include publishing guidance, ISBN administration when applicable, final-file review, publication authorization, metadata and category guidance, and author and book visibility.
A growing author media ecosystem
Beyond the imprint, authors may benefit from the Making Sense Press website and catalog, YouTube channel, promotional features, The Author Behind the Words podcast, and other appropriate Lisa Tarves LLC media properties. Authors also have access to the Making Sense Press Professional Directory as an optional resource for locating independent publishing professionals.
Your book. Your creative choices. Making Sense Press publishing support where you need it.
About the Press
About Making Sense Press
Making Sense Press was created to give authors another path to professional publishing — one built around transparency, flexibility, author control, and high standards.
Our Story & MissionEditorial Philosophy
Books That Leave You With Something
Making Sense Press welcomes fiction and nonfiction across a wide range of genres. Our editorial philosophy is simple: every book has the potential to give a reader something — entertainment, information, perspective, connection, escape, discovery, or simply a story they are glad they read.
Our Editorial PhilosophyComing January 2027
The Author Behind the Words
A new Making Sense Press podcast featuring the stories, experiences, and people behind the books — hosted by Lisa Tarves.
Stay connected with Making Sense Press — new titles, author news, and publishing insights.