Not a vanity press. Not a traditional publisher. A better model for serious authors.
We combine the editorial excellence and distribution of a major house with the author-friendly terms, transparency, and speed you deserve.
Eight ways we're fundamentally different.
You Own Everything
Copyright, ISBNs, royalties, and files are all yours. We're a service provider, not a rights-holding publisher.
Vanity presses often claim rights, control ISBNs, and take a % of royalties forever.
Senior Pros, Not Juniors
Big Five editors, award-winning designers, certified Amazon Ads managers. You work directly with leadership.
Most services outsource to freelance marketplaces or junior coordinators with little publishing experience.
Modular, Transparent Pricing
Every service priced individually. Pick what you need. No bundling, no hidden fees, no surprise upsells.
Opaque packages with mandatory add-ons. 'Custom quotes' that inflate once you're committed.
Editorial Integrity
Developmental → line → copy → proof. Named editor matched to your genre. Two proof passes standard.
Single 'editing pass' by unspecified editors. Often just light copyediting marketed as comprehensive.
True Global Distribution
KDP + IngramSpark wholesale to 39,000+ retailers, libraries, and bookshops worldwide. ISBN in your name.
KDP-only or 'expanded distribution' that's just KDP Extended. No IngramSpark, no bookshop access.
100% Royalties to You
Retailers pay you directly. We never touch your money. Your book, your revenue, your bank account.
Many 'hybrid' publishers take 10–50% of royalties as a 'distribution fee' or 'marketing commission.'
Marketing Measured by Sales
Amazon Ads, PR, podcasts, and Goodreads all tracked against royalty outcomes. 90-day launch plus ongoing growth plans.
Vanity marketing packages: press releases nobody reads, social posts with no strategy, 'bestseller' guarantees.
Realistic Timelines
Launch in 4–6 weeks (polished MS). Professional 8–16 weeks. Legacy custom. No false promises.
'2-week publishing' claims that skip editing, design QA, and metadata optimization.
How the models compare.
No model is perfect for everyone. This table helps you decide what matters most for your book and career.
| Feature | Modelink Press | Traditional | Vanity / Hybrid | DIY Self-Pub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copyright ownership | You (100%) | Publisher | Often shared/controlled by press | You |
| ISBN registration | In your name | Publisher's imprint | Press's block (not yours) | You buy own |
| Royalty split | 100% to you | 10–25% to author | 50–90% to author (after fees) | 100% (minus retailer cut) |
| Editorial quality | Big Five senior editors | In-house editors | Freelancers/juniors | You hire |
| Design quality | Award-winning designers | In-house art dept | Template-based/outsourced | You hire |
| Distribution | KDP + IngramSpark global | Publisher's channels | KDP only (usually) | KDP only (usually) |
| Marketing | Data-driven, royalty-tied | Varies (often minimal) | Vanity packages | You do it |
| Timeline | 4–16 weeks (realistic) | 12–24 months | 2–8 weeks (rushed) | Your pace |
| Upfront cost | $999–$12,000+ (transparent) | $0 (advance) | $3,000–$30,000+ (opaque) | $500–$5,000 (DIY) |
| Ongoing support | Monthly growth plans | Usually ends at launch | Upsell packages | None |
Which model is right for you?
Choose Modelink Press if...
- You want professional quality without surrendering rights
- You value transparency and modular pricing
- You want senior expertise, not junior freelancers
- You want marketing tied to sales, not impressions
- You're building a long-term author career
Choose Traditional if...
- You want an advance (rare for debuts)
- You want the prestige of an imprint
- You're willing to wait 12–24+ months
- You accept 10–25% royalties
- You want publisher-controlled marketing
Avoid Vanity/Hybrid if...
- They claim rights or control your ISBNs
- They take a % of your royalties
- Pricing is opaque or 'custom quote only'
- They guarantee bestseller status
- Editing/design is outsourced to unknowns
Choose DIY if...
- You have professional editing/design skills
- You want total control and lowest cost
- You're comfortable with KDP/IngramSpark setup
- You'll manage your own marketing
- You're publishing a low-stakes project
Publish professionally. Keep everything.
Book a free 30-minute consultation. We'll review your manuscript or idea and give you honest guidance with no pitch and no pressure.