From an initial conversation through to post-publication, our authors and their books are our genuine priority. Here is how we work with them throughout the publishing journey.
We welcome submissions from all genres. Sections of your manuscript will be reviewed by one of our submissions team, who will assess whether we will be able to offer a quotation. We accept around 80% of what gets submitted to us.
Once the manuscript submission has been assessed, you will receive a no-obligation, bespoke quotation. This will list all the services available and their costs, to enable you to make an informed decision about what you would like to opt for.
After you have decided on which services you would like to choose and know the exact costs associated with them, you will sign your contract. The contract does not sign over the rights of your book to Troubador – the rights always remain with the author.
If you choose to use a Troubador ISBN, which most authors do, our team will assign one to your book as well as create the metadata for your book. This is how your book will be discovered and purchased by the book trade.
Managed seamlessly by a project manager, we will collaborate on every element of the production process, including editorial, typesetting and cover design, to create a high-quality publication that fits your vision.
If you’ve opted for an ebook, we will begin ebook production and distribution, preparing for your ebook to be available on a range of online retailers.
An exciting time for any author, publication day marks the day your book is ready to be sold and brought out into the world.
We will actively market and sell your book to our vast book trade and retailer network as well as directly to readers, fulfilling all orders from our dedicated UK-based distribution facility in Leicestershire.
Following the two-year duration of an author’s initial distribution contract with us, they can either choose to renew their distribution agreement with us or withdraw the book from sale.
Authors can access their current and historical sales information, including stock levels, in our warehouse and retailer sales reporting.
Got an event that you’d love some materials for? You can order the materials easily directly from the hub.
We’ve created a wealth of information to help our authors understand how publishing works and make informed decisions.
If you have a manuscript but aren’t sure what your next steps are, then give us a call. Our experienced publishing team will be happy to answer any questions you have about self-publishing with Troubador and how the services that we offer can help you achieve your goals.
Do you take on every manuscript you receive?
No. We reject about 10–15% of all submissions we receive. This is usually because the manuscript requires more editorial work than we can offer, presents possible legal issues or contains offensive content. When reviewing a manuscript, we do not assess it from a commercial angle – i.e. how well the book will sell – as we have authors coming to us for all sorts of different reasons, but we will check the editorial quality and that we are happy to put our name to the work.
How long will it take to publish and print my book?
The average timescale from signed contract signature to printed book is around 18-28 weeks. This timescale varies depending on the service you choose and the time it takes you, as the author, to approve each stage of the process. If you are taking any editorial services with us, the timescale is likely to be closer to 22-32 weeks. Our Customer Service team will be able to advise on a more specific timescale while discussing the details of your quote and contract with you.
Can I use my own ISBN?
Although most authors will opt to use a Troubador ISBN, we are happy to work with authors who would like to use their own ISBN. When using your own ISBN, there are some responsibilities that you need to be aware of.
I want illustrations for my book. Can you produce these for me?
Yes! We have an illustration service that matches authors with talented artists to create bespoke illustrations for their books. Read more below.
Can I choose the specifications for my book?
Of course you can. If you have any preferred specifications for your book (eg. paper type and colour, cover finishes, book size, etc.), please provide this information when submitting your manuscript. If you do not have any preferred specifications, this is also fine – we will base the book's specifications on what we would expect such a title to be printed as. This initial quotation can then be discussed and refined to ensure your book looks and feels as you wish it to.
