Who owns the rights to my book?

Muse & Margins publishes books under our registered ISBNs, which means we hold the publishing rights for the contracted term. However, you retain full intellectual property and copyright ownership of your work.

Our partnership model is built on trust and transparency—we will never claim creative ownership, alter your work without consent, or restrict your ability to make decisions about your story. Clear out clauses in your contract ensure you can regain publishing rights if you choose to part ways with us in the future.

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How does the royalty-sharing model work?

Muse & Margins covers the costs of editing, formatting, ISBN registration, and professional production. In exchange, we receive 10% of the book’s list price on every sale. Authors receive any remaining royalties after Amazon/Ingram Spark takes their cut. There are no upfront or hidden fees.

 

When are royalties paid out?

Royalties are distributed monthly, paid two months after the close of the sales month. For example, royalties earned in January are paid out at the end of March.

 

What genres do you accept?

We currently accept completed Fantasy manuscripts in all subgenres—epic, romantic, cozy, portal, dark academia, and more—as well as LGBTQ+ fiction.
We are not accepting horror, thrillers, mysteries, poetry, erotica, or nonfiction at this time.

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Can I leave the partnership if my goals change? (What’s the out clause?)

Yes. Publishing should feel like a partnership—not a contract you’re stuck in.

If your plans change, you’re always free to leave Muse & Margins with 90 days’ written notice.

Here’s how it works in plain terms:

Before publication:
If we’ve already completed services like editing, design, or production work, you simply reimburse the cost of the work that’s been finished at the current rate listed on our website for those services.
Any royalties your book has already earned are applied toward that balance first, so you only pay the difference (if there is one).
Once that’s settled, all publishing rights return to you.

After publication:
You can also exit at any time with 90 days’ notice. We’ll calculate the same way—cost of completed services minus royalties already earned—then unpublish the book from distributors. After that, you’re free to publish elsewhere.

You always retain:

• Your copyright

• Your intellectual property

• Full creative ownership of your story

We never hold your book hostage or lock you into long-term control. If you leave, your work leaves with you.

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Can I use my own cover designer?

Yes. Authors are welcome to provide their own cover art, though final approval remains with Muse & Margins to ensure quality and marketability. If preferred, our design team can create a custom cover that aligns with both your vision and professional publishing standards.

 

What editing services are included?

Every accepted book receives full editorial support, including:

• Developmental Editing (big-picture story and structure)

• Line & Copy Editing (clarity, flow, and style)

• Proofreading (final polish before publication)

• Blurb Services (professional back-cover copy and retailer description)
   

All ISBN registration fees are also covered by Muse & Margins.

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Do you provide marketing support?

Yes. We provide marketing resources and guidance to help you confidently promote your work. This includes:

• A ready-to-use content calendar for social media planning.

• Lists of podcasts, interview opportunities, and promotional outlets.

• Script templates for contacting bookstores and libraries.

• Guidance for getting your book listed in bookstores and library systems.
   

Authors are responsible for executing their own marketing efforts, but we ensure you have professional tools and strategies to succeed.

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Will Muse & Margins run ads or manage marketing for me?

Muse & Margins does not run or manage paid advertising campaigns directly. However, if an author wishes to run Amazon ads, we can authorize them under our publishing account. The author will be responsible for creating and funding their own ads, while Muse & Margins provides authorization and general guidance as needed.

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How many authors do you accept each year?

We accept four authors per year. This small number allows us to provide personalized, high-quality support and maintain close collaboration through every stage of the publishing process.

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Do I have to pay anything upfront?

No. There are no upfront costs to participate in the Muse & Margins Publishing Partnership. Our investment comes in the form of editorial expertise, design, and production support. We earn only through our royalty share after publication.

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How do I submit my manuscript?

Submissions open twice per year — in March and September. When the window opens, a Google Form will appear on this page. We do not accept submissions via email.

When open, you’ll be asked to include:

• A query letter

• A synopsis

• The first five pages of your manuscript (single-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman, 1-inch margins)
   

 

How long will it take to hear back?

You’ll receive a response within eight weeks, though most authors hear back within the first 30 days. Some submissions may receive personalized feedback or an invitation to resubmit during a future window.

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Will you help me get my book into bookstores and libraries?

Yes. We’ll guide you through the process of making your book available for order through retail and library distributors, and provide outreach scripts for contacting stores and librarians directly to arrange signings or placements.

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What makes Muse & Margins an ethical publisher?

We operate on a foundation of transparency, collaboration, and education.
There are no hidden fees, misleading packages, or forced creative changes. Our partnership model ensures that both Muse & Margins and our authors benefit fairly from each book’s success while maintaining author autonomy and dignity.

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When do submissions open next?

Our next submission window opens March 1, 2026.
All submission details and the official Google Form will be available here when the window opens.