What is Included in a Full Book Publishing Package?

You've heard the term "full-service publishing package" but you're not quite sure what that means in practice. What do you actually get? What does it cost? And is it worth it compared to piecing things together yourself?

Having helped coordinate 300+ book projects, I'm going to give you the clearest possible breakdown of what a genuine full-service package includes — and what red flags to watch for when comparing providers.

"The value of a full-service package isn't just convenience. It's coordination — making sure every piece fits together perfectly for a professional result."

Phase 1: Strategy and Planning

Any reputable full-service package starts here, before a single word is written. This phase includes:

• Target audience definition — who exactly is this book for, and what problem does it solve for them?
• Book positioning — how does your book fit in the market? Where does it live on Amazon?
• Title and subtitle strategy — developing a title that's searchable, compelling, and on-brand
• Chapter outline and structure — mapping the full book before writing begins
• Business case mapping — how will this book generate ROI for you specifically?

Skip this phase and you might write a great book that nobody buys because it was positioned wrong from day one.

Phase 2: Ghostwriting and Content Creation

This is the heart of the package. A full-service offering includes:

• Author interviews (typically 8–15 hours of recorded sessions to capture your stories, knowledge, and voice)
• Research and fact-checking
• Full manuscript writing (40,000–80,000 words depending on the package)
• Voice matching — the ghostwriter writes in your style, not theirs
• Multiple revision rounds (typically 2–3 included)

Be very wary of any package that doesn't include a voice-matching process. A book that sounds nothing like you will undermine your credibility with anyone who knows you.

Phase 3: Professional Editing

A full-service package should include at minimum two editing passes:

• Developmental/structural editing — reviewing the manuscript for flow, argument strength, and narrative cohesion
• Copy editing and proofreading — final polish pass for grammar, style, and typos

If a "full-service" package only includes proofreading and no developmental review, that's a shortcut. A proofreader catches typos; an editor makes your book genuinely better.

Phase 4: Cover Design

A professional full-service package includes a custom, genre-appropriate book cover designed by someone who understands what sells in your niche. This isn't a template — it's a fully original design that includes:

• Front cover (optimized for Amazon thumbnail size)
• Back cover (with author bio, blurb, barcode space)
• Spine design
• Multiple revision rounds until you're happy

Phase 5: Interior Formatting

Your book needs to look clean and professional on the inside too. Full-service formatting produces:

• Ebook file (.epub/.mobi) optimized for Kindle
• Print-ready PDF for KDP paperback
• Proper chapter headings, margins, fonts, and page numbers
• Any tables, charts, or call-out boxes styled and formatted

Phase 6: Publishing and Distribution

A complete package handles the technical publishing process for you:

• KDP account setup (or publishing to your existing account)
• Category and keyword research and selection
• Book description writing (optimized for Amazon's algorithm)
• Pricing strategy recommendation
• ISBN setup
• Publication and going-live verification

Phase 7: Launch Support

The best full-service packages don't just hand you a published book and disappear. They include a launch strategy:

• ARC (Advance Review Copy) distribution strategy
• Launch week email and social media templates
• Amazon Advertising campaign setup and initial management
• Amazon Author Page optimization
• Post-launch reporting and recommendations

What's NOT Usually Included

To set realistic expectations, most full-service packages don't include:

• Ongoing Amazon ad spend (you fund the ads themselves)
• PR and media outreach campaigns
• Social media management
• Physical book printing (only print-on-demand via KDP)
• Translation to other languages

How to Compare Publishing Packages

When evaluating providers, ask these questions:

1. How many revision rounds are included?
2. What type of editing is included (developmental or just proofreading)?
3. Do you own 100% of the copyright?
4. Can I see samples of books you've published?
5. What happens if I'm not happy with the first draft?

See our full book publishing costs guide for a detailed breakdown of what each component of a package typically costs if you sourced it independently. And if you're wondering about the ghostwriting investment specifically, our ghostwriting ROI analysis makes the case for the investment.