What Is an Independent Publisher — and Is It Right for You?
The term "independent publisher" gets used in a lot of different ways. It can refer to a small literary press with a decades-long history. It can refer to a one-person operation publishing a single author's work. It can refer to a press like Making Sense Press — selective, professionally operated, and designed to serve authors who want more than a self-publishing platform.
Understanding what an independent publisher actually is — and what distinguishes a legitimate one from a publishing service that uses the label loosely — is worth the time before you commit to any publishing path.
What Makes a Publisher a Publisher
A publisher is not a platform. A publisher is not a service provider. A publisher is an entity that takes editorial responsibility for the books it publishes.
That means a real publisher:
- Reviews manuscripts and makes editorial decisions about what to publish - Publishes books under its own imprint, which it stands behind - Holds the books it publishes to professional standards - Takes responsibility for the quality of the final product
When a publisher puts its name on a book, it's making a statement: this book meets our standards, and we're willing to be associated with it.
That's what an imprint means. And it's what distinguishes a publisher from a platform that will distribute whatever you upload.
How Independent Publishers Differ From Traditional Publishers
Traditional publishers — the large houses and their imprints — operate on a model where the publisher bears all costs and the author receives an advance and royalties. The publisher makes all major decisions about production, marketing, and distribution. The author gives up significant rights in exchange.
Independent publishers vary more widely. Some operate on a traditional model. Others — including Making Sense Press — operate on a model where the author contributes to the cost of publication in exchange for professional production, an imprint, and a publishing relationship.
The key distinction is not the cost model. It's whether the press has real editorial standards, publishes books professionally, and stands behind what it publishes.
How to Evaluate an Independent Publisher
Before working with any independent publisher, ask these questions:
Is the press selective? A press that accepts every submission is not making editorial judgments. Selectivity is what makes an imprint meaningful.
Can you see the books they've published? A legitimate press has a catalog. Look at the books. Do they look professionally produced? Do they read well?
Is the pricing transparent? A legitimate press publishes its pricing clearly. If you have to ask for a quote before you can find out what anything costs, that's worth noting.
Is the publishing agreement available to review? You should be able to read the agreement before you commit to anything. A press that won't show you the agreement before you sign it is not a press you should sign with.
What rights are you giving up, and for how long? Publishing agreements vary significantly. Understand what you're agreeing to.
What happens if you're not satisfied? Understand the process for resolving disputes and the conditions under which the agreement can be terminated.
What Making Sense Press Is
Making Sense Press is a selective independent publishing press. We review every submission and accept books that meet our publishing and professional standards. We publish under our imprint, with professional production, and we're transparent about how we operate.
Our publishing packages are published on our website. Our Author Publishing Agreement is available to read before you apply. Our Author FAQ answers the questions most authors have about working with us.
We're not the right fit for every author. We're selective by design. But for authors whose books meet our standards and who want a professional publishing partner, we'd like to hear from you.
Is an Independent Publisher Right for You?
An independent publisher is likely a good fit if:
- You have a completed or nearly completed manuscript that you believe is ready for professional publication - You want your book published under a real imprint, not just uploaded to a platform - You want professional production support — editing, formatting, cover design — as part of the publishing process - You're willing to invest in the publication of your book - You understand that publishing is not a guarantee of commercial success, and you're publishing for reasons beyond financial return
If those things describe you, we'd encourage you to learn more about what we publish and apply if you think your book might be a fit.