Publishing and Marketing
Pre-Launch Marketing Strategy for Independent Authors
Your manuscript is finished—now it's time to position it for success. Get expert guidance on cover concepts, audience targeting, and launch strategy to ensure your book reaches the right readers on day one.
We handle pre-launch strategy. For ongoing ads, promotions, and post-launch marketing, we'll connect you with professional marketers.
Novel Launchpad: Complete Launch Strategy Package
Everything you need to launch your book strategically—from positioning to launch day
Perfect for indie authors who want professional guidance on how to present and launch their book without wasting money on ineffective marketing.
What's Included:
- Professional Critique Receive honest, constructive feedback on your entire manuscript (up to 80,000 words) from someone who understands the craft of storytelling. Identify your book's strengths and areas for improvement from a market perspective.
- Market Analysis Discover exactly who your ideal readers are, where to find them, and how your book fits within the current marketplace. We analyze genre positioning, competitive landscape, and audience demographics.
- 30-Day Launch Plan Follow a proven checklist to maximize visibility and sales during the critical first month after publication. Includes pre-launch timeline, launch week action items, and post-launch momentum strategies.
- Complete Metadata Package Get a compelling book blurb, strategic keywords, and optimal category selections that help readers discover your book online. Includes Amazon category recommendations and positioning strategy.
Additional Deliverables:
- Comparative titles (comp titles) for positioning
- Pricing recommendations for launch and long-term
- ARC (Advance Review Copy) strategy
- Review generation tactics
Investment: $1,200
Timeline: 2-3 weeks from manuscript submission to delivery
Delivery Format: Detailed analysis document (15-20 pages) plus optional strategy consultation call
Best for: Authors with a completed, edited manuscript who want to launch strategically but aren't ready to hire a full marketing team.
Not included: Actual advertising (PPC ads, blog tours, BookBub promotions). We provide the strategy; you or a marketing professional execute it.
This service is bespoke—no AI is used to create your critique or analysis.
Self-Publishing Services
From manuscript to published book—we handle the technical details
Once your manuscript is ready and you've worked with us on editing or ghostwriting, we can manage the publishing process:
Formatting Services (Existing Clients Only)
- Professional ebook formatting (ePub, MOBI)
- Print book interior formatting (6x9, 5x8, etc.)
- Front matter and back matter setup
- Chapter styling and layout
- Rate: $200 (available only to editing and ghostwriting clients)
Publishing Guidance
- Amazon KDP setup and optimization assistance
- Metadata optimization (categories, keywords, description)
- ISBN acquisition guidance
- Distribution channel recommendations
- Copyright registration guidance
Query & Submission Services For authors pursuing traditional publishing:
- Query letter writing
- Synopsis writing (1-page and 2-page versions)
- Agent/publisher research and targeting recommendations
Pricing: Contact us for query and submission service rates.
When to Use a Professional Marketer
Pre-Launch (That's Us):
- Manuscript critique and market positioning
- Launch strategy and planning
- Cover concepts and metadata optimization
- 30-day launch roadmap
Post-Launch (That's a Marketing Specialist):
- Ongoing Facebook and Amazon ads
- BookBub and promotional campaigns
- Long-term email marketing automation
- Social media content calendars
- Website design and management
The handoff typically happens: After your book launches and you're ready to invest in paid advertising and long-term platform growth.
The Nonsense-Free Editor Recommends: Literary Inspired Author Services
Ready to scale your marketing beyond launch day?
Once your book is live, ongoing marketing requires specialized expertise in ads, promotions, and platform growth. That's where Literary Inspired comes in.
Why we recommend Meg at Literary Inspired:
Meg provides strategic marketing services that amplify your author platform through efficient, trend-driven content creation and distribution. She's an outstanding marketing professional whose web services have helped many Nonsense-Free Editor clients.
Professional credibility: Meg personally manages Kristin McTiernan's book marketing, advertising campaigns, and website—so we trust her expertise firsthand.
What Literary Inspired offers that we don't:
- Ongoing Facebook/Amazon ad management and optimization
- BookBub and promotional site campaigns
- Long-term email marketing strategy and automation
- Author website design and management
- Social media content calendars and scheduling
- Platform growth and audience building
Seamless transition: Work with us for pre-launch strategy, then hand off to Literary Inspired for execution and ongoing growth.
This is a professional recommendation based on quality work, not an affiliate relationship.
Our Marketing Philosophy
We believe in strategic launches, not spray-and-pray tactics.
Too many indie authors spend thousands on ads before understanding their audience or positioning their book correctly. Our approach focuses on:
- Positioning first: Understanding your genre, audience, and competitive landscape before spending a dollar
- Strategic planning: Creating a roadmap so you know exactly what to do and when
- Smart handoffs: Connecting you with specialists (like Literary Inspired) when ongoing marketing requires expertise beyond our scope
We don't do everything—and that's intentional. We focus on what we do best (pre-launch strategy and manuscript preparation) and partner with trusted professionals for what we don't (ongoing ad management and promotional campaigns).
This ensures you get expert guidance at every stage without paying for services from someone who isn't specialized in that area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Novel Launchpad and a developmental edit? A developmental edit focuses on improving your manuscript's craft (plot, characters, pacing). Novel Launchpad focuses on commercial viability, market positioning, and launch strategy. Many authors do both—edit first, then get the launch strategy.
Do I need to have my book edited before Novel Launchpad? Ideally, yes. We need to see your final or near-final manuscript to give accurate positioning advice. However, if you're planning ahead and want strategic guidance early, we can work with earlier drafts.
Can you help me actually run the ads after launch? No—that's outside our expertise. We'll give you the strategy and connect you with Literary Inspired, who specializes in ad management and ongoing campaigns.
What if I'm traditionally publishing, not self-publishing? Novel Launchpad is designed for indie authors. However, we offer query letter and synopsis writing services for authors pursuing traditional publishing. Many elements of market analysis still apply.
How soon before launch should I book Novel Launchpad? Ideally 3-6 months before your planned release date. This gives you time to implement the strategy, refine your cover based on our recommendations, build your email list, and prepare for launch.
My manuscript is longer than 80,000 words. Can you still help? Yes. For manuscripts over 80,000 words, contact us for adjusted pricing.
Do you guarantee my book will be a bestseller? No one can guarantee sales. We provide professional strategy based on market analysis and industry best practices, but success depends on execution, book quality, genre trends, timing, and reader response.
Can I get just the metadata package without the full critique? Novel Launchpad is a comprehensive package. If you only need metadata (blurb, keywords, categories), contact us to discuss standalone options.
Ready to Launch Strategically?
Stop wondering if your novel is ready for the market! Get expert guidance, actionable insights, and a clear path to publishing success—all in one comprehensive package.
Contact us to discuss your book and launch timeline. We'll review your project and ensure Novel Launchpad is the right fit for your goals.
