Muse Literary Traditional Publishing
Professional. Purposeful. Proven.
Traditional publishing with Muse Literary honors your craft while amplifying your reach.
Traditional publishing at Muse Literary is a partnership built on trust, professionalism, and a shared love of great storytelling. We curate select manuscripts that align with our editorial vision and publish them under our imprint—covering production costs, offering professional editorial support, and guiding authors through every step of the journey.
At Muse Literary, we offer a full suite of publishing and editorial services designed to support authors at every stage of their journey. Whether you're seeking traditional publishing with professional guidance, or a more customized path to fit your goals, our services are built to be flexible, transparent, and author-first.
From manuscript review and developmental editing to typesetting, cover design, and distribution, we handle every step with care and creativity. We also specialize in non-traditional book sales and strategic publishing plans that help authors not only publish their work, but build a lasting and profitable writing career.
Manuscript Curation
We don’t just accept manuscripts—we curate them. Our curation process ensures that every book we bring into our traditional publishing program aligns with our editorial standards, publishing goals, and the unique voice of our imprint, which allows us to maintain the quality of every book we publish.
Initial Submission Review - Clarity and originality of voice, strength of narrative structure & concept, Audience fit and genre alignment.
Editorial Evaluation - Overall literary merit, strength of character development or structure, consistency in tone, pacing, and theme, readiness for production.
Developmental Editing - Two one-on-one developmental editing sessions, feedback focused on plot, pacing, character development, structure, organization, suggestions to enhance the manuscript’s message
Editorial Process
At Muse Literary, our editorial process is thoughtful, collaborative, and built to honor the author’s voice while elevating the quality of the final product. Whether you're a debut author or an experienced writer, we guide each manuscript through a multi-stage editorial process that ensures clarity, cohesion, and market-readiness.
Copyediting - Sentence-level clarity, grammar, punctuation, and syntax corrections, consistency in style, tone, and voice, alignment with genre expectations.
Proofreading - Once the book is typeset, it undergoes a final proofread to catch any lingering typos, formatting issues, or inconsistencies. This is the last editorial quality check before print.
Author Review & Approval - Accept or reject suggested changes, make additional adjustments, ask clarifying questions or flag anything that feels off, with ongoing communication with a project manager.
Distribution and Marketing
Once your manuscript is fully edited, designed, and approved, it moves into the distribution phase—where Muse Literary ensures your book is not only published, but accessible to readers around the world. Our distribution process blends global reach with tailored support to maximize your book’s visibility across both digital and print markets.
Final File Preparation - Print-ready PDF for paperback or hardcover formats, formatted EPUB file for digital platofrms, all metadata, ISBN.
Global Distribution Setup (IngramSpark) - Available to thousands of retailers and libraries worldwide, listed on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more, eligible for both print-on-demand fullfillment and eBook delivery
Availability & Retail Listings - Once distribution is live, your book will be listed across sales channels with your designated pricing and availability. Retailers may order your book directly, and readers can purchase online or in-store (if stocked or requested).
We accept a limited number of traditional projects each year, chosen for their literary merit, unique voice, and potential for meaningful impact. All manuscripts are reviewed by our editorial team for fit and quality.
Our Published Works
Frequently Asked Questions
How are authors selected for traditional publishing?
Manuscripts are evaluated through our curated submission process, where we look for strong writing, compelling concepts, and alignment with our publishing vision. Only a limited number of titles are accepted each year to ensure quality and personalized attention.
Will I receive royalties through traditional publishing?
Yes. As a traditionally published author with Muse Literary, you will receive royalties based on book sales, with terms outlined in your contract. While Muse retains a percentage of sales to recoup our publishing investment, authors keep full copyright of their manuscript.
What does traditional publishing look like at Muse Literary?
Our traditional publishing model is selective and fully funded by Muse Literary. If your manuscript is accepted, we cover all costs of editing, design, production, and distribution. In return, authors receive a royalty percentage on book sales, without any upfront financial investment.
Will my book be available in bookstores?
Your book will be distributed through Ingram, making it available to major retailers, independent bookstores, and libraries worldwide. While shelf placement is at each store’s discretion, your book will be available for order wherever books are sold.
Do I have creative input in the publishing process?
Yes. While Muse Literary handles the production and publishing logistics, we value author collaboration, especially when it comes to cover design, editing feedback, and messaging. We aim to strike a balance between professional guidance and author vision.
What kind of support will I receive during and after publishing?
You’ll receive hands-on support throughout the entire publishing journey, including editorial development, design, project management, and distribution setup. After publication, we continue to provide royalty tracking, promotional guidance, and author resources to help your book succeed long-term.