“I like empowering authorpreneurs. Take your book’s future into your own hands.”
Over the past 25 years in the publishing industry, I’ve experienced nearly every side of the business, from having my first book published by a vanity press (and learning firsthand how damaging that route can be), to ultimately taking control of my publishing journey by launching my own imprint.
How it started…
When I first decided to publish my educational children’s series, the landscape was very different. Options were limited. Amazon’s CreateSpace didn’t support hardcover printing, offered no buyback program, and had minimal distribution. IngramSpark didn’t even exist yet. The only viable platforms were designed for traditional publishers, which meant I had to become one. I had to teach myself the ins and outs of the industry; everything from book design to distribution…and it wasn’t easy or cheap. There was no support. If you were a publisher, you were expected to know what you were doing. And so, I learned, through trial and error, as I published the first twelve books of my now award-winning series: The Hamilton Troll Adventures
As I navigated this journey, I began connecting with other aspiring authors who wanted to publish their books but didn’t have the time, technical know-how, or desire to learn every step of the process. They needed help: book covers, interior formatting, text-flow & layout, guidance on publishing options, and I stepped in. I never set out to take on authors. I simply wanted to help them. And that’s how my publishing company began; through a desire to support authors and empower them to publish with confidence.
As a graphic designer, I could help with professional cover design. Being an experienced author, I could help with story development, guide them through interior formatting and editing. As a small press publisher, I could distribute their books through my channels. As a website designer I could help them with marketing.
How it is going…
However, over the years, I’ve watched many hybrid and small press publishers pop up. They charge outrageous fees for mediocre services, only to publish books using the same platforms I use, or IngramSpark (which is technically designed for authors) or worse Amazon KDP only. Too often, these companies fold, go out of business, or worse. I just heard about one that got involved in unethical and criminal behavior. When that happens, authors can lose everything: rights, royalties, reviews, and access to their own books.
Thankfully, IngramSpark recently helped authors of that now-defunct press, to transfer their titles into their own accounts, keeping their ISBNs intact, something that in the past wasn’t possible. Imagine having to republish your book. No big deal right? Wrong! You would have lost everything on your product page, your reviews, sales rank…. That situation reaffirmed my belief in publishing transparency and author ownership. This is one very good reason I want to work towards empowering authorpreneurs.
That’s why I prefer to publish books directly through your Amazon KDP or IngramSpark account.
Yes, I can still publish under my imprint through my distributor, which is the publisher’s subsidiary of Ingram and offers excellent services: multiple hardcover options, global distribution, printers on every continent, and buyback programs. But if you’re serious about becoming an “authorpreneur”—someone who controls their rights, royalties, and future—publishing under your own account is the smartest move.
Empowering Authorpreneurs is what I do!
Why? Because it’s your book. If anything happens to me, to any company, you still own everything. And if anything ever happens to you, your heirs can inherit your account and your royalties, ensuring your legacy lives on.
Another honest reason I encourage authors to use their own accounts? The administrative side of publishing is time-consuming. Managing multiple royalty reports across different platforms, preparing spreadsheets, and ensuring timely payments eats up valuable time I’d rather spend writing and marketing. That said, I still handle it for many of my authors who choose that route. I care deeply about their success and their rights. But I also believe that for some, there’s a better way.
I’m here to help.
Whether you need assistance with your book cover, interior layout, or even getting set up on KDP or IngramSpark, I’ve got you. In fact, I’m happy to publish your book under my imprint for marketing purposes while allowing you to keep 100% of your royalties and control, by uploading it to your account. I gain valuable visibility for my company, you get exposure to my audience through my marketing. It’s a win-win!
Transparency and trust are core to my mission. I’m not here to upsell you services you don’t need or take a cut of your royalties. I charge fair rates for the help you actually need. And if you want to learn the process yourself? I’m more than happy to teach you.
Empowering Authorpreneurs through Education.
I’ve written a book on How to Write, Market, and Sell Children’s Books, and I’m currently working on another: The Dark Side of Self-Publishing, to help authors avoid the traps I’ve seen too many fall victim to. I’m also available for calls or emails to answer questions and guide you through the process. I do this because I believe authors should feel empowered, not taken advantage of.
The publishing world is evolving rapidly. Traditional publishers are struggling to keep up, and hold on to their relevancy, while indie and self-publishing opportunities continue to expand. More authors are choosing to control their own destinies and I want to support that.
If you’re interested in learning more about my services or discussing your next book, please reach out. I’m passionate about helping authors build a strong foundation for their publishing journey—on your terms.
Kathleen J. Shields – Author, Publisher, Graphic Designer
