The Process
How It Works
Here is the full process, from reviewing your options through confirmed payment and the start of your package.
Review What We Publish
Before purchasing, review the What We Publish page to make sure your proposed book is appropriate for Making Sense Press.
Review What We PublishChoose Your Publishing Package
Review the available publishing packages and select the one that fits your needs and budget. Essential Imprint, Guided Publishing, and Publishing Partner are available for direct purchase.
Compare PackagesProvide Your Information
During the purchase process, you will provide the information Making Sense Press needs about you and your book — including your manuscript status, cover or cover concept, and other relevant details.
Review and Sign the Publishing Agreement
Before payment, you will review and sign the Publishing Agreement applicable to your selected package. The agreement explains your package benefits, author responsibilities, ISBN and imprint use, support terms, the nonrefundable fee policy, and other applicable requirements.
Complete Payment
Payment is made after the Publishing Agreement has been reviewed and signed. Your publishing package is confirmed upon successful verified payment.
Publishing Begins
Your package is active as soon as payment is confirmed. Any time-based support period included in your Guided Publishing or Publishing Partner package begins according to the terms you agreed to.
Final Publication Review
When your manuscript and all materials are ready, Making Sense Press reviews the finished work for quality, professionalism, and readiness before authorizing publication under the imprint.
Your Book. Your Choices. Our Standards.
Authors have freedom in how they professionally prepare their books. Making Sense Press maintains the editorial and production standards required for publication under its imprint.
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.
Publish professionally without paying for services you don't need.
Making Sense Press does not require authors to purchase editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting, illustration, marketing, or other creative-production services through us. Authors may choose their own qualified resources, while Making Sense Press provides the imprint, publishing guidance, ISBN administration when applicable, quality review, author and book visibility, and the publishing support included in the selected program.
Your Book
Authors retain ownership of their work. Publishing with Making Sense Press does not transfer your copyright.
Your Choices
Authors are not required to purchase production services from Making Sense Press. You may do the work yourself, use AI tools, hire independent professionals, or work with qualified colleagues — as long as the finished work meets our publishing standards and you have the legal right to use all material.
Our Standards
Every book must meet Making Sense Press professional publishing standards — regardless of which publishing program the author selects.
Working Directly with Lisa
Guided and Partner Publishing
The Guided and Partner packages include direct working sessions with Lisa Tarves. These sessions are focused on publishing readiness — structure, front and back matter, reader experience, and the practical decisions involved in bringing your book to publication.
Guided Package
Includes scheduled working sessions with Lisa focused on publishing readiness and manuscript preparation.
Partner Package
Includes extended working sessions with Lisa and a higher level of hands-on publishing guidance throughout the process.
The Essential package does not include working sessions with Lisa. It is designed for authors who are ready to move forward independently.
Our Model
A Different Kind of Publishing Relationship
Making Sense Press was created for independent authors who want the freedom and ownership of independent publishing without having to navigate the publishing world entirely alone.
High Standards, Not a Vanity Press
Purchasing a package does not guarantee publication. Every finished book is reviewed for quality, professionalism, and readiness before it is authorized to publish under the Making Sense Press imprint. We are building a catalog we stand behind.
Your Book Remains Your Book
Authors retain copyright. We publish your edition under the Making Sense Press imprint. We do not acquire ownership of your work.
Professional Standards Without Forced Services
Books published under our name must meet professional standards. But authors are not required to purchase editing, cover design, or any other production services from us. Use professionals you already trust.
Real Publishing Guidance
You are not handed an ISBN and left to figure out the rest. Depending on the program you choose, Making Sense Press provides personal guidance through the publishing process — so you understand what is happening and what comes next.
We don't want ownership of your story. We want to help you publish it professionally.
Our Philosophy
We don't publish every book.
We publish books we believe in.
We take authors and their work seriously. Authors keep their voice and their ownership. We bring professional standards, personal guidance, and the flexibility to work the way that makes sense for you — without pushing services you don't need. Publishing should feel professional. It should also feel human.