Ink Cadence

Execution Resource Library

Public publishing decisions, with the complete working tools inside Publishing HQ.

Use these public previews to identify a real decision and find current official references. Each applicable entry distinguishes verified facts, estimates, and Ink Cadence recommendations.

See the fictional sample Open Publishing HQ

Public preview

Five decisions worth making deliberately.

Ink Cadence recommendation

Editing and proofreading

Ink Cadence recommendation: choose the pass that fits the manuscript stage; proofreading cannot solve a draft that is still structurally changing.

Decision criterion

If plot, chapters, argument, or intended reader are still changing, revise first or consider a manuscript assessment. If the draft is stable but sentence-level clarity and consistency need work, scope copyediting. After layout, proofread the final PDF/EPUB only.

Public timing / cost context

Estimate: EFA’s published 2026 fiction-copyediting range is 2.0–2.7¢ per word; at 80,000 words, the arithmetic is roughly $1,600–$2,160 before any additional scope. EFA describes these as survey ranges rather than set rates. Schedule timing is an Ink Cadence recommendation, not a provider guarantee.

Next evidence to gather

Ink Cadence recommendation: compare like-for-like written quotes on one frozen word count, defined edit level, deliverables, revisions, and delivery date.

EstimateSource: Editorial Freelancers Association 2026 ratesLast checked: 2026-08-05
Inside HQ: Full decision tree for each edit levelFull tool remains private

Ink Cadence recommendation

Cover design

Ink Cadence recommendation: define formats, licensing, and review steps in writing rather than treating a cover as a single image.

Decision criterion

For a novel, establish the ebook-front scope first and add print files only after trim, page count, paper, and distributor requirements are known. For nonfiction, establish title/subtitle/author hierarchy and retailer-thumbnail legibility in the brief.

Public timing / cost context

Estimate: cover cost and timing vary with illustration, licensing, print formats, and revision scope. Reserve time for a written scope, confirmed metadata, and final trim information; no standard provider timing was verified.

Next evidence to gather

Ink Cadence recommendation: prepare title/subtitle, author name, comparable covers, genre/audience notes, print-format needs, and an approved budget before requesting quotes.

Ink Cadence recommendationSource: KDP paperback formatting helpLast checked: 2026-08-05
Inside HQ: Full cover decision tool and design briefFull tool remains private

Verified fact

Interior formatting and final EPUB / print PDF

Ink Cadence recommendation: begin formatting after copy changes are frozen, because later text corrections can require fresh exports and proof checks.

Decision criterion

EPUBCheck evaluates EPUB publications against the official EPUB specifications. Use it as a technical conformance check, then visually inspect the exported EPUB and print PDF for your own acceptance criteria.

Public timing / cost context

Estimate: allow time for formatting, proofs, corrections, and fresh exports after changes. The duration depends on book complexity, provider scope, and the number of correction rounds.

Next evidence to gather

Ink Cadence recommendation: freeze text and list every edition, trim size, image, table, front-matter item, and distribution destination before requesting production work.

Verified factSource: W3C EPUBCheckLast checked: 2026-08-05
Inside HQ: Complete EPUB/PDF acceptance checklistFull tool remains private

Verified fact

ISBNs, metadata, accounts, proofs, and distribution

Ink Cadence recommendation: the author keeps accounts and makes publication decisions; this guide maps dependencies without taking action for you.

Decision criterion

KDP’s official Help Center includes account setup, paperback and ebook formatting, book creation, metadata updates, and category guidance. Other platform requirements, fees, and availability are route-specific and must be checked on the current official page before you commit files or dates.

Public timing / cost context

Estimate: account setup, file review, proof review, corrections, and preorder timing vary by route. No cross-platform fee, availability, or timing claim is made here.

Next evidence to gather

Ink Cadence recommendation: open the current official guidance for the route you personally control before committing files or dates.

Verified factSource: Amazon KDP Help CenterLast checked: 2026-08-05
Inside HQ: Full route decision treeFull tool remains private

Verified fact

ARC, reviews, blurbs, street teams, and launch execution

Ink Cadence recommendation: plan ethical, optional reader outreach; do not treat reviews or blurbs as promised outcomes.

Decision criterion

Amazon’s customer-review policy prohibits compensation or other incentives in exchange for creating, modifying, or posting content. Use optional, honest-feedback language and recheck each retailer’s current policy before outreach.

Public timing / cost context

Estimate: build outreach around a proof-approved release date and leave time for permissions, reader response, and author review. No campaign can guarantee reviews or sales.

Next evidence to gather

Ink Cadence recommendation: define the one outcome you control—prepared files, clear outreach, or an author-owned calendar—then use permission-based actions that fit it.

Verified factSource: Amazon customer reviews policyLast checked: 2026-08-05
Inside HQ: Complete outreach decision toolFull tool remains private

Provider sample

Verify the fit, not a generic label.

Every provider entry links to its direct source and keeps variable price, availability, rating, and terms visible as gaps rather than claims. Nothing here is an endorsement, paid placement, affiliate relationship, quality claim, or promise of availability.

SourceDecision evidenceChecked
Reedsy editing marketplaceVerified fact: Reedsy’s editing page presents developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading, and editorial assessment; its stated flow is browse profiles, request quotes, then collaborate. Individual availability, terms, and price require profile-level verification.Direct sourceLast checked: 2026-08-05
Scribendi book editingVerified fact: Scribendi’s book-editing page offers a quote path and lists turnaround bands by word-count range. Estimate: its own page says cost varies by editing type, manuscript length, and turnaround; calculate the current quote directly.Direct sourceLast checked: 2026-08-05
Reedsy cover-design marketplaceVerified fact: Reedsy’s design page is the current provider category source. Ink Cadence recommendation: verify an individual designer’s portfolio fit, licensing, revisions, quote, and availability before contracting.Direct sourceLast checked: 2026-08-05

Official references

Editorial Freelancers Association ratesAmazon KDP Help CenterW3C EPUBCheckIngramSpark pricingAmazon customer reviews policy