What's It Like to Publish with Us

Reflections from Sabi Sunday Press on reading, writing, and the art of making books.

Have you ever felt that tiny spark in your chest that says, "This could be more than a private document. This could be a book." It might happen after years of journaling or in the final line of a children’s story you once wrote “just for fun.” Maybe you were standing in a bookstore, holding someone else’s book, and thought, "I could do this. I would love to do this."

And then the questions come.

• Do I go the self-publishing route and try to manage it all? 
• Do I wait and pitch agents, hoping for a yes that might never come? 
• What if I want something in-between—something personal, professional, and creatively fulfilling?

That’s where we meet you.

You Don’t Want to Do It Alone, But You Don’t Want to Give It Away

Traditional publishing can be slow, rigid, and for most, out of reach. On the other hand, self-publishing can feel like a lonely and technical burden. Working with a small press, however, is different. It’s a partnership.

Our authors come to us because they want:

• A beautifully crafted book, not a templated one
• A say in design decisions, but not the pressure of doing it all themselves
• A team that listens carefully and offers expertise without steamrolling their vision

That’s the balance we offer: you remain the heart of the project, and we become your creative and production arm.

The First Call

If you have a manuscript or rough draft, we invite you to a discovery call. It’s not a hard pitch. It’s a real conversation. We ask things like:

• What’s the heart of your story?
• Who are you writing for and why now?
• How do you want your book to feel in the reader’s hands?
• What does success look like for you?

You don’t need polished answers, you just need to be open. Most authors leave this call with clarity. Even if we’re not the right fit, you’ll leave knowing where to go next.

The Shift From Writer to Author

Once we officially begin, something changes. You’re not just working on a book anymore, you’re building it. That shift is tangible. You’ll see drafts of your cover, review interior layouts; we’ll go over paper details and binding. We’ll consider the trim size and whether you want a soft, matte finish or something with texture for your cover and pages.

You’ll start seeing your words take shape as an object. Along the way, we’ll explain and answer questions you might have about the technical, offering suggestions, and always keeping your vision at the center.

Design as Collaboration, Not Delegation

At Sabi Sunday Press, we don’t “take it from here.” We build it with you. You’ll be involved in every creative milestone. This includes:

• Weighing in on design directions and mood boards, if applicable
• Choosing between cover layouts and finishes
• Reviewing digital proofs of your pages, carefully typeset to suit your voice and genre

You don’t need to be a designer, you just need to be present, responsive, and willing to engage in the creative shaping of your book. That’s how it becomes something you’re proud to put your name on.

The First Proof in Your Hands

There’s nothing quite like it.

The first time you open the package and hold your proof copy it becomes real in a way digital files never could. We’ve seen authors cry, laugh, go quiet, and take a deep breath.

One author told us, “I’ve had this on my computer for over 10 years. And now, I can hold it in my hands.”

We live for that moment.

Sharing Your Work

When the book is done, it’s time to share it. People publish their books for a variety of reasons. Most want to share their work with a broader audience, while some prefer to keep it within their community or inner circle. Either way, our team can:

• Help you with a personalized launch roadmap
• Support you in setting up your book on Amazon or other platforms
• Provide a customizable press release template and sell sheet for retail outreach
• Offer practical suggestions and guidance for marketing your book

We want to make sure you have the tools and confidence to take those next steps successfully, and to share your book with care, with the people who will value it most, in your own way.

We also love spotlighting authors whose books fit our criteria, so your work may be featured on our website as well.

 It’s More Than a Book. It’s a Journey.

Publishing with a small press is more intimate, it’s more involved--and that’s exactly why it works.

You get a creative partner, not just a printed object. You get to be part of the transformation of your manuscript, and often of your relationship to it. You get a book that reflects your voice, your values, and your vision.

You get to say, “This is mine. And I love how it turned out.”

If you've been holding onto a manuscript and wondering what's the next step or what are your options, let's have a conversation. 

Have questions or want to learn more? Contact us and we'll be happy to help!

At Sabi Sunday Press, we publish books made through attention, patience, and care.