FAQs
Phone Number:
866-535-0913
FAX:
216-803-0350
Mailing Address:
Gatekeeper Press7853 Gunn Hwy, Suite 209
Tampa, FL 33626
General Questions
What is Gatekeeper Press?
Gatekeeper Press is a full-service publishing house that partners with authors and publishers to produce and distribute high-quality books in digital and print formats. Our authors and publishers earn 100% of their royalties and retain 100% of their rights. Our distribution networks reach readers all over the world. Click here for more information about us.
What is an Author Manager?
Our Author Managers are U.S.-based publishing professionals assigned to individual authors to ensure a streamlined publishing experience. Your Author Manager will be available to you via email and phone to ensure your complete satisfaction. Your Author Manager will coordinate all communications with our eBook converters, cover designers, paperback-layout specialists, printers, and editors. He or she will be your agent, your guide, your liaison, and your representative.
eBook Publishing and Distribution Questions
How long does your eBook Conversion and Distribution process take?
It usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete the conversion of your eBook and upload it to the eBook retail sites. Your eBook will be available for sale on most of the sites within 24-48 hours, though some can take longer.Note: If you also have us design your cover or edit your manuscript, each of these services typically adds 1-2 weeks to the process.How long does your eBook Conversion and Distribution process take?
Will I be able to review my eBook before it is made available for sale?
Yes. Once your eBook has been converted, we will send it to you for review. If there are any display issues, we will correct them at this time.
Where will my eBook be listed for sale?
Your eBook will be listed for sale with all major eBook Retailers, including Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Google, and many more. Click here for a complete list of our partners.
How do I check my sales?
Sales reports are emailed at the end of every month detailing sales made in the prior calendar month.
How often do I get paid?
Royalties are paid monthly via prepaid reloadable debit card or PayPal once received from our retailer partners (typically within 60-90 days of the end of the month in which sales are made).
What types of files do you accept?
We accept Microsoft Word, PDF, Rich Text, Text file, HTML, InDesign, and Pages files. We may be able to accept other file forms as well. We do not charge extra for different formats. Please contact us with questions.
What types of genres do you accept?
We accept all genres from fiction and nonfiction to children’s books and everything in between.
Do you create fixed-layout eBooks (in which the content and images do not flow)?
Yes. We create fixed-layout eBooks for delivery to Amazon, the Apple iBookstore, and the Google Play bookstore. Fixed-layout eBooks are typically used for eBooks made up entirely of illustrations or photographs such as children’s books, comics, and cookbooks.
Do you create “enhanced” eBooks (eBooks with audio and/or video)?
Yes. We create enhanced eBooks for delivery to the Apple iTunes and Google Play bookstores only.
Can I make content changes to my eBook after submitting my manuscript?
You can make content changes at any time by letting us know what you’d like changed. Our content change fees are as follows: 1-10 changes – $40 11-25 changes – $65, 26-50 changes – $90, 51+ changes – $125 per hour
Can I make metadata changes (pricing, description, author bio, genre, keywords) after submitting my manuscript?
We allow one free metadata change per calendar year. For subsequent changes you will be charged $25.
Who determines my list price and other metadata (description, author bio, genre, keywords) ?
You. Your Author Manager will ask for this and other information in our introductory email.
Will I still retain the rights to my manuscript and eBook?
Yes. You will retain all of the rights to your manuscript and eBook, including all digital and print rights.
Can I withdraw my eBook once it has been listed for sale with the eBook Retailers?
Yes. You have the right, at any time, to withdraw your eBook from any or all of the eBook Retailers’ sites free of charge.
Do you offer discounts if I sign up for more than one eBook?
Yes. Please Contact Us for information about multi-book discounts.
Will Gatekeeper Press be listed as my publisher or can I list another publisher’s name with my book?
If you are publishing more than one title, you can have us list whatever name you like as the publisher of your books. Otherwise, Gatekeeper Press will be listed as the publisher.
Paperback Publishing and Distribution Questions
How long does your Paperback Publishing and Distribution process take?
It usually takes 8-10 weeks to complete the design and layout of your paperback and another 1-2 weeks to make it available for sale with our paperback distribution partners.
Note: If you also have us design your cover or edit your manuscript, each of these services typically adds 1-2 weeks to the process.
How much do I earn per sale?
You will receive 100% of the royalties your book earns from each of our paperback partners, less the printing cost for each book sold.
Click here to view our paperback royalty calculator.
Royalty Calculation
Retail Price (determined by you) – Sales Channel Fees* – Printing Cost = Your royalty
* Amazon.com and Amazon Europe charge 40% sales fees. All other venues charge 60%.
Will I be able to provide input on the design of my paperback?
Yes. Your Author Manager will ask if you if you have any design or layout preferences before we begin designing your book.
Will I be able to review my paperback before it is made available for sale?
Yes. Once your design has been completed, we will send you a PDF proof of your paperback for review and you can request a physical proof if you like. If there are any modifications you would like us to make, we will make them at this time.
Where will my paperback be listed for sale?
Your paperback will be listed for sale with all major online bookstores, including Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. We will also make it available to the two major bookstore and library wholesalers in the U.S., Ingram and Baker & Taylor. Click here for a complete list of our paperback partners.
What are my paper stock options?
For black and white interiors, we offer 60# white (444 ppi) and 60# cream (412 ppi) options. Printing costs are the same for both.
For color interiors, we offer a 60# white (426 ppi) stock.
What are my cover stock options?
We offer 4-color printed covers with gloss or matte finishes. Our printing costs are the same for both finishes. Our cover stock is 10 pt C1S.
How do I check my sales?
Sales reports are emailed at the end of every month detailing sales made in the prior calendar month.
How often do I get paid?
Royalties are paid monthly via prepaid reloadable debit card or PayPal once received from our retailer partners (typically within 60-90 days of the end of the month in which sales are made).
Can I order books for myself or others?
Of course. You can have us print and ship any quantity of books you like to any destination at any time. Click here for a table of our printing and shipping costs.
What types of files do you accept?
We accept Microsoft Word, PDF, Rich Text, Text file, HTML, InDesign, and Pages files. We may be able to accept other file forms as well, including printed texts and handwritten manuscripts. Please contact us with questions.
What types of genres do you accept?
We accept all genres from fiction and nonfiction to children’s books and everything in between.
Do you accept manuscripts or completed books with photos, illustrations, charts, and other graphics?
Absolutely. There is no extra charge for including graphics, etc.
Does my paperback need to be a specific size?
We can design and print any trim size for you paperback that you like. Below are our standard trim sizes.
- 5 x 8 inches
- 5.06 x 7.81 inches
- 5.25 x 8 inches
- 5.5 x 8.5 inches
- 6 x 9 inches
- 6.14 x 9.21 inches
- 6.69 x 9.61 inches
- 7 x 10 inches
- 7.44 x 9.69 inches
- 7.5 x 9.25 inches
- 8 x 10 inches
- 8.25 x 6 inches
- 8.25 x 8.25 inches
- 8.5 x 8.5 inches
- 8.5 x 11 inches
Can my book’s interior be in color or does it have to be black & white?
Your book’s interior can be in black & white or in full color, though the cost to print full color interiors is more expensive. Please contact us if you would like a printing quote for a full color book.
Can I make content changes to my paperback after submitting my manuscript?
You can make content changes at any time by letting us know what you’d like changed. Our content change fees are as follows: 1-10 changes – $40 11-25 changes – $65, 26-50 changes – $90, 51+ changes – $125 per hour.
Can I make metadata changes (pricing, description, author bio, genre, keywords) after submitting my manuscript?
We allow one free batch of metadata changes per calendar year. Subsequent changes are $25 per batch.
Who determines my list price and other metadata information (description, author bio, genre, keywords)?
You. Your Author Manager will ask for this and other information in your introductory email.
Will I still retain the rights to my manuscript and paperback?
Yes. You will retain all of the rights to your manuscript and paperback, including all digital and print rights.
Can I withdraw my paperback for sale once it has been listed with the retailers?
Yes. You have the right, at any time, to withdraw your paperback from any or all of the retailers’ sites free of charge.
Will Gatekeeper Press be listed as my publisher or can I list another publisher’s name with my book?
If you are publishing more than one title, you can have us list whatever name you like as the publisher of your books. Otherwise, Gatekeeper Press will be listed as the publisher.
Cover Design Questions
How long does your cover design process take?
It usually takes 1-2 weeks for us to prepare cover mockups for you to review and another 1-2 weeks to implement any changes you’d like us to make.
Can I request revisions to my cover?
Yes. You can request to have your cover revised at any time by letting your Author Manager know what you’d like changed. Your first two sets of revisions are free of charge. Each set of subsequent revisions is $25 per batch.
What if I don’t have any cover ideas?
No problem. Our cover designers are extremely creative and more-than-capable of creating outstanding covers based solely on your book’s description.
Can I supply you with images or graphics that I would like to be used in my cover?
Yes. As long as you have the legal right to use them, we can use whatever images or graphics you supply to us.
Can I have a cover designed even if I don’t have you publish my book?
Absolutely. You can have us design your cover a la carte or as part of one of our publishing packages.
Editing and Proofreading Questions
How long does your Editing and Proofreading process take?
This depends on the word count and complexity of your file(s). We are typically able to return even the longest and most complex files to you within four weeks.
Do you edit by hand or through Microsoft Word?
We edit using Microsoft Word’s “track changes” feature to allow you to accept or reject each individual edit we make to your file(s). If you are unfamiliar with this feature, your Author Manager will guide you through it.
Can I have my book edited even if I don’t have you publish it?
Absolutely. You can have us edit your book a la carte or as part of one of our publishing packages.
ISBN and Barcode Questions
What is an ISBN?
ISBN stands for “International Standard Book Number”. It is a unique identifier for books, eBooks, tapes, and CDs. The ISBN numbering system is used by publishers worldwide to identify their works in a standardized format. You will need an ISBN if you plan on selling your book in bookstores, to libraries, or through online retailers.
Can I purchase an ISBN and/or barcode even if I don’t have you publish my book or eBook?
Absolutely. You can purchase an ISBN and/or barcode a la carte or get one for free as part of one of our publishing packages.