Independent Author Services

Separate From Our Traditional Publishing Program

Literary Wanderlust’s Independent Author Services operate entirely separate from our traditional publishing program.

These are stand-alone, professional services for authors who choose to self-publish. Hiring an editor or contractor through this program does not guarantee, imply, or influence acceptance into Literary Wanderlust’s traditional publishing list.

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Our acquisitions process remains independent and selective.

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Publish with Confidence

Self-publishing offers tremendous opportunity — and tremendous complexity.

As experienced publishing professionals, we understand the editorial, technical, and strategic steps required to bring a book to market successfully. Our Independent Author Services connect you with skilled editors and publishing specialists who can help you navigate the process with clarity and confidence.

Whether you need structural guidance, line-level precision, formatting, or strategic consultation, our team offers expert support tailored to your goals.

How Our Editor Connections Work

We believe in transparency and professional independence.

When you hire one of our editors:

• You contract directly with the editor — not with Literary Wanderlust.

• You negotiate scope, timeline, and payment terms directly.

• The editor provides their own contract outlining the agreement.

Literary Wanderlust facilitates the introduction but does not act as intermediary in the contractual relationship.

This structure ensures:

• Direct communication

• Clear expectations

• Flexible scheduling

• Transparent pricing

You remain in control of your project while working one-on-one with a qualified professional.

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Services & Estimated Rates

Below are typical service categories and rate ranges. Final quotes depend on manuscript length, complexity, and scheduling.

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Author Coaching & Publishing Consulting

Hourly Rate: $70–$90

Personalized guidance through the self-publishing process, including:

• Manuscript preparation strategy

• Uploading to platforms (Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, ACX, etc.)

• Platform setup and metadata guidance

• Distribution strategy

• Marketing roadmap development

Ideal for authors who want expert oversight while maintaining full publishing control.

Developmental Editing

Hourly Rate: $55–$75

Big-picture structural analysis and story development support:

• Story structure evaluation

• Character development feedback

• Plot pacing and coherence review

• Thematic clarity

Recommended before line or copy editing.

Copy Editing

Hourly Rate: $50–$75

Line-level precision and polish:

• Grammar, punctuation, and syntax correction

• Consistency and style alignment

• Clarity and readability improvement

Prepares the manuscript for final proofing.

Proofreading

Hourly Rate: $40–$60

Final review before publication:

• Typographical corrections

• Minor grammar errors

• Formatting consistency checks

Best completed after layout.

Beta Reading

Hourly Rate: $25–$50

Reader-focused manuscript feedback:

• Story engagement evaluation

• Character believability

• Plot clarity

• Reader experience insights

Useful in early or mid-revision stages.

Layout & Formatting

Project Rate: $250–$750

Professional interior formatting for:

• Print editions

• E-book editions

• One proof correction pass

Note: Photo-heavy or complex layouts may incur additional fees.

Cover Design

Project Rate: $350–$750

Custom cover design for:

• Print and digital formats

• Genre-appropriate commercial presentation

Additional revisions or complex illustration work may increase costs.

Book Description & Metadata Support

Hourly Rate: $25

Includes:

• Sales copy / book description drafting

• BISAC category research

• Keyword optimization guidance

• Optional Media Kit preparation ($50)

Why Work With Our Team?

We bring professional publishing experience to independent authors who want:

• Editorial excellence

• Professional presentation

• Clear guidance

• Respect for creative ownership

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Our goal is not to sell packages — it is to connect you with the right expertise for your specific stage of publishing.