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IP Ministries Presents

Welcome

The Ironer’s Press is an independent publisher of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and genre-defying literature for all ages. We publish books that inform, inspire and ignite humanity to change and works that challenge the status quo. We are a unique hybrid publisher, offering developmental services to our writers through every stage of their careers— from concept to publication and beyond. We are committed to widening the gap, and to making room for powerful multi-ethnic voices of artistic and cultural merit, in a marketplace that has traditionally not seen their stories or voices as valid or commercially viable.

What is Hybrid Publishing?

In its simplest definition, hybrid publishing is the middle ground that exists between traditional and self-publishing. Authors share the production cost in exchange for higher royalties. In other words, you put skin in the game and we do too. Just to be clear, this is not vanity publishing. At the Ironer’s Press you can’t pay to play. We carefully vet each and every project through our highly selective submission process and nothing goes to print until we can confidently stamp that IP logo on it.     

The Ironers Press is an independent publisher of fiction non-fiction poetry and genre defying literature for all ages. We are committed to widening the gap and making room for powerful multiethnic voices of artistic and cultural merit in a marketplace that has traditionally not seen their stories or voices as valid or commercially viable.

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What we are looking for:

  • Books that honor The Creator and reveal His expressed kingdom.

  • Books that inspire, uplift and celebrate the tenacity of the human spirit.

  • Books that have a fresh take on an old topic.

  • Books with something to say.

  • Books that educate, inform, and challenge the status quo.

  • Books that demand change & incite revolution in the hearts of readers.

  • Books that shift paradigms and decolonize minds. 

  • Books that set captives free.  

 

What we don’t publish:

Hard or soft porn, books that contain gratuitous violence, sex, or child abuse. Books that perpetuate racist tropes or stereotypes. Books created by non-humans—i.e. no AI generated books in the form of written content, images or narration. We do understand that the use of AI and publishing right now is a hot bed of debate. If you find yourself with a book generated with the assistance of AI we recommend you going through our author assisted book services program.  

Submission Guidelines
for IP Hybrid Publishing Program 

Please include the following items in your Submission Packet:

  • A one page query letter: explaining who you are, what your book is about, and why you think it would be a good fit for us. Make sure you understand the types of books we want to publish. Discuss your qualifications to write said book and identify your intended audience. If you have any previous publishing credits include that in your query letter as well. Discuss your purpose for publishing, tell us why you are passionate about the project. Include your book’s genre and word count. Let us know if you have worked with any publishing professionals on your book and if you are represented by an agent. Finally, tell us why the world needs this particular book.

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  • ​​A 250-word jacket copy- The jacket copy is the ‘about this book blurb’ you see on the back of a paperback book or on the inside flap of a jacketed hardcover book. Think movie trailer when you are writing this. Give us just enough information about the story to peak our interest but not so much information that we don’t need to read the book.

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  • Full Manuscript: Please send a MS word document. Make sure it is formatted in 12-point font, Times New Roman, also please make sure page numbers are included. Before uploading to our system please label your manuscript submission as follows:     

Your last name_ book title_ fiction or non- fiction

Example: Hurston _Their Eyes Were Watching God_ fiction

Example: Alexander_ The New Jim Crow_ nonfiction

 

  • Fiction Writers must also submit:

  1. A chapter-by-chapter synopsis of your book (3-page limit).

  2. A marketing plan for your book- to the best of your ability, describe your six month to one year plan for marketing your book. (2 page limit)

​Please make sure all files are labeled clearly in the following manner listed below before uploading to our site.

  1. Last name_ Book title _fiction

  2. Last name_ Book title_ synopsis

  3. Last name_ Book title_ book jacket copy

  4. Last name_ Book title_ query letter

  5. Last name_ Book title_ marketing plan

 

  • Non-fiction writers must also submit:

  1. A book Proposal- Please download and complete our book proposal template here.

Please make sure all files are labeled properly in the manner listed below before uploading to our site.

  1. Last name_ Book title _non-fiction

  2. Last name_ Book title_ query letter

  3. Last name_ Book title_ jacket copy

  4. Last name_ Book title_ Book Proposal

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All submissions should be sent to: submissions@ironerspress.org. You will receive an email confirming that we received your manuscript. 

 

A $40 submissions fee is required with all submissions. 

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One of the reasons it takes publishers so long to find great authors with great books is because our inboxes are literally inundated with submissions that are, at best, half-baked ideas. In the business we not-so-lovingly refer to this as ‘the slush pile’. We don’t want to waste our time or yours, so as a part of our vetting process, we charge a nominal reading fee. This fee makes sure our very full inbox is freed up for serious inquiries only and never becomes a slush pile. Once you submit payment you will receive an email confirmation that your payment has been received. Please allow six to twelve weeks for a response to your submission. 

 

Two Tier Submission Process:

An added benefit of the reading fee is that your submissions materials will most definitely be read, and receive at least two rounds of feedback. In step one of the process, your materials will be evaluated by our First Look Team which is composed of IP Publishing trusted professionals. The First Look Team will then forward your materials to our Editorial staff with their recommendations. Your materials will then be read by our editorial staff who will ultimately make the final decision.

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Your work will receive one of three ratings:

  1. Red light: Stop. Not a good fit for us. Your book could be amazing, just not a great fit for us due to our current season lineup.   Even if you receive a red light, our team will still have valuable feedback for you that will help you on your publishing journey. Your book may be a candidate for our independent book services

  2. Green light: Let’s go! We are excited about this project, your work is an alignment with our goals, and we want to partner with you to bring it to fruition.

  3. Yellow light: Slow down. We love the idea, but it needs more professional development before it’s ready for the marketplace. At this point we would give you some feedback on how to make the book better and recommend some of our one-on-one coaching services to get your book ready for the marketplace. Once the work is done, and you’ve followed our recommendations, we would gladly invite you to re-submit your materials again at no additional fee. 

 

What is an editorial assessment?

After your submission materials are reviewed by our First Look Team, your work is then forwarded to our Editorial staff. The first thing we do is an editorial assessment. The primary purpose of the editorial assessment is to evaluate the condition of your manuscript and to determine what type of editorial services are needed to get your manuscript ready for publication. Editorial staff will then generate an estimated cost for editorial services as well as an estimated cost (minus printing and marketing) to produce your book for publication. This cost is based in part on your manuscript word count, market cost, and our extensive professional knowledge of what it takes to get a manuscript ready for publication. After the editorial assessment you will have a clear picture of what editorial services would cost you, should you choose to independently publish your project.

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What happens next if my project is green lit?

If your project is green lit, you will be assigned a project manager who will schedule a meeting with you to discuss your publishing goals and to determine whether we as the publisher and you as the author are a good fit to work together. At this time, we would also discuss the estimated cost to bring your book to market and agree upon an author publisher split. After the details are hashed out, your book then moves on to development. 

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Development:  This is the back-and-forth process between the author and the editors until the manuscript is ready for production. This is limited to three rounds of edits which include the following (1 developmental edit, 1 copy /line edit, 1final proofread edit--to happen right before print) Additional fees of $100/ hour will be charged to the author if more editorial services are needed. *Additional fees are almost never accessed, (except in those rare cases where an author has strong opinions regarding the editor suggestions.) Please note that our two-tier submission process has been put in place to make sure that this doesn't happen. If your book needs more than three rounds of extensive edits, it wouldn't be green lit in the first place. After development your book moves to production design.

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Production Design: The now edited manuscript goes to production for a custom cover and interior design for physical and or digital versions of your book. You and your book’s project manager will confer to make sure the design is in line with the agreed upon vision for your book. During the production phase, you as the author will be asked to complete a cover design worksheet. Based on the cover worksheet, you will be provided with three variations of covers to choose from. (Up to three rounds of changes are allowed once cover art is selected, after that additional fees will be accessed to the author at $100/ per hour.)

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Marketing: Once the book enters the production phase the author and the project management team sit down to fine tune the marketing plan details. At this time the publisher will also determine the best, most strategic release date for your book. The project manager along with the author creates an individualized marketing plan for their book that includes a strong emphasis placed on direct to reader channels. All authors seeking publishing through our hybrid program must submit a preliminary marketing plan with their manuscript submission. 

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Distribution: As the publisher we will make the book available for sale in multiple national and international distribution channels. We also place a strong emphasis on direct to reader sales, helping you realize your marketing plan which includes the creation of direct to reader channels. 

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Printing:  With the guidance of the project manager the author determines how many physical copies of books to print for the first run. Cost of books includes (print cost plus the publisher royalty split.)

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We currently have a rolling submissions process, please send your manuscripts to submissions@ironerspress.org and click the button below to submit your submission fee. 

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