Tree of Life is a hybrid publisher rooted in partnership with you, the author. We combine the professional standards and processes of traditional publishing with the flexibility and creative ownership of independent publishing. At the heart of our work is a close, collaborative relationship. We walk alongside you through every stage of the process from manuscript development to design, production, and launch.

As a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), we follow recognized industry standards for hybrid publishing, including careful and thorough acquisitions processes. We are committed to transparency, integrity, and excellence.

Because our model includes an author investment, we can acquire a select list of books, and we can devote focused, individualized attention to every project we accept. We ensure that there is deep author involvement in every step of the process. We curate carefully and work deeply, and we work closely with you, the author, to provide editorial, design, and promotional expertise that bring your creative vision to life. Our role is both professional and personal. We love our work, and our goal is to help you shape a book that will reach your intended audience through your unique voice and vision.

We are thoughtful and selective about the projects we publish under the Tree of Life Books imprint. After consulting with you and evaluating your manuscript, we will determine whether we are the right publishing partner—or whether another path, such as independent publishing, seeking an agent, or pursuing a traditional publisher, may better serve your goals.

If you have questions about working with Tree of Life, contact us here.

No! We are committed to working directly with you. While we don't provide referrals to agents or publishers, we can provide feedback and guidance if you want to pursue traditional publishing by helping you prepare the materials necessary to pitch agents and publishers, such as query letters, synopses, and book proposals.

Publishing a book that is satisfactory in quality to both you and your readers involves many steps and a significant investment of time and care, and the publishing process involves many complex, detailed steps. Our team works with you to create a timeline that helps you meet your goals while also upholding standards of quality and care. The timeline includes developmental and copyediting, cover and interior design, production choices like paper and binding, and ensuring we have sufficient time for promotion. 

Timelines vary depending on the state of the initial manuscript and the scope of the work required. However, we work with you to create and provide a realistic timeline that fits your needs.

To schedule an introductory consultation, contact us here.

The cost of publishing your book varies depending on the scope of your project, the level of support you choose, and the production and publishing choices you make. Publishing a book is a lengthy, labor-intensive process with many associated steps and expenses, and no two projects are the same.

We will collaborate with you to create a customized proposal based on your manuscript’s specific needs and your author goals and budget. 

Contact us to discuss pricing and request a project proposal.

Writing and revision: In this stage, you’re working either alone or with a writing coach to draft, write, and revise your manuscript.

Editing: This includes developmental, line editing, and copyediting. The developmental editor works with you hand in hand to help you revise and restructure your narrative. Once the content is finalized, a line editor reviews the manuscript and makes edits to ensure the style, tone, and voice are impactful, efficient, and consistent. Copyediting occurs prior to layout and publication to correct typos and errors and to ensure consistent grammar and style.

Design and layout: A designer creates a cover for your book, as well as selects a trim size and production choices like paper and binding, then lays out the interior text and images and proofs the final galleys prior to printing.

Publishing and printing: A unique ISBN is assigned to your book so it will be in appropriate distribution channels, making it available to booksellers and librarians. Books are printed and/or uploaded to ebook platforms.

Marketing and promotion: It’s time to spread the news that your book is coming! Promotion entails publicity and marketing. These are important steps that entail reaching out to media outlets for book reviews, feature articles, book events, and interviews, as well as social media, author platform, speaking engagements, and outreach to booksellers, librarians, and your readers. For authors, this is where the real work begins, and where you go from being a writer working privately on your project to being a public-facing author ready to interact and engage with your audience. 

For a more detailed list of what we offer, visit our Services page.

Rising printing and distribution costs continue to shrink profit margins across the publishing industry, regardless of publisher size. You should not expect to get rich quickly from book sales alone.

Many authors view their books as long-term investments that help build their platforms and open doors to other opportunities, such as establishing yourself as experts in your field, gaining readers or clients, securing speaking or teaching engagements, or forming professional partnerships. We encourage authors to think of their book as one component of a broader personal or professional strategy, and we can help you brainstorm and refine these plans.

Tree of Life is committed to helping you publish the book you want to see in the world. We work closely with our authors, often becoming lifelong partners, to ensure the final product aligns with your vision and goals. We are dedicated to demystifying the publishing process through clear communication and transparency, starting with the initial manuscript evaluation. Our goal is to help you feel more confident in your role as an author by providing a book you can be proud of.

We begin with an assessment to determine whether your book is a good fit for the Tree of Life imprint or if another path is better aligned for your project. From there, we discuss your goals and needs—such as level of editing, design ideas, and production choices, along with promotional ideas—and develop a detailed project plan and timeline tailored to your book.

 To schedule an introductory consultation, contact us here.