Publish with Us
What is Inked Elephant Publishing House?
Inked Elephant Publishing House is an independent, mission-driven publisher that partners with authors to produce high-quality books with integrity, care, and long-term impact.
What types of books do you publish?
We publish memoir, narrative nonfiction, poetry, and select thought-leadership and mission-driven works. We focus on strong voice, clear purpose, and writing that contributes meaningfully to the world.
Do you work with first-time authors?
Yes. We work with both first-time and experienced authors, provided the manuscript and the author are aligned with our standards and values.
Is Inked Elephant a traditional publisher?
Yes, we are a traditional, nonprofit, independent publisher. However our industry unique model emphasizes partnership, transparency, and author involvement rather than volume-based or purely commercial publishing.
Is Inked Elephant a vanity press?
No. We are selective about what we publish and do not accept every submission. Our process includes editorial review and clear expectations around quality and fit.
How does the publishing process work?
After submission and acceptance, authors move through a structured process that includes editorial development, design, production, and distribution. Authors are involved at each stage.
Do authors retain the rights to their work?
Yes. Authors retain rights to their work, with publishing agreements designed to protect creative control and long-term ownership.
What services are included?
Depending on the project, services may include editorial support, interior and cover design, production management, ISBN registration, and distribution setup.
Do you provide editing?
Yes. Editorial guidance is central to our work. The level of editing depends on the manuscript’s needs and the publishing agreement.
Where are Inked Elephant books sold?
Our books are available through major online retailers and can be ordered by brick and mortar bookstores via standard distribution channels.
Do you guarantee book sales?
No. No ethical publisher can guarantee sales. We focus on producing excellent books and positioning them well for long-term success.
How much does it cost to publish with Inked Elephant?
Zero! Publishing with Inked Elephant, like all traditional publishers, requires no author financial investment. Authors should plan for investments in pre-submission developmental editing and post submission marketing and PR.
How do I submit a manuscript?
Authors can submit through the submission form on our website. We review manuscripts on a rolling basis with priority given to those submitted in January, March and August.
How selective are you?
We are highly selective. Acceptance is based on writing quality, readiness, alignment with our mission, and the author’s commitment to the marketing and sales process.
What happens if my manuscript is not accepted?
If a manuscript is not the right fit, we aim to communicate clearly and respectfully. Not every strong project is right for our list.
Is Inked Elephant right for me?
Inked Elephant is a good fit for authors who value craft, collaboration, creative ownership, and publishing with intention rather than speed or volume.