Author Services
Built for working writers, not wishful thinking
Everything we offer is aimed at one thing. Helping dark western and frontier horror writers get their work into reader hands with as little nonsense as possible. No empty packages. No vague promises. Just focused support, honest expectations, and clear steps.
Below is a simple look at the core services we use most often. Some are imprint focused. Some connect into the wider network your work can move through when it fits.
TrueGritPress Publishing Program
Flat-fee publishing for dark western and frontier horror
For writers who want a clean path to print and digital without royalty traps. We handle the production work. You keep your rights and royalties.
Pay in Full
Best Value$950
One-time payment • No plan fee
- • Print + ebook layout & typesetting
- • Custom cover design (guided by your concept)
- • ISBN registration & distribution setup
- • One print proof copy
- • Metadata & category optimization
- • Feature listing on TrueGritPress.com
- • Launch copy kit (blurbs + social text)
- • You keep 100% of rights & royalties
Payment Plan
Flexible$330 / mo
3 monthly payments • Includes small plan fee
- • Everything in the pay-in-full package
- • Work begins after first payment clears
- • Milestones: layout → cover → proof
- • Final files & distribution after last payment
ISBNs: Each publishing package includes one ISBN for your primary format. If you’re releasing both paperback and ebook editions, each format needs its own ISBN. You can add a second ISBN for $79.
Add Second ISBN – $79Imprint publishing for dark western and frontier horror
For select titles, TrueGritPress serves as a full imprint publisher. That means we come alongside the author to shape the book, position it correctly, and bring it into the catalog as a proper TrueGritPress release.
- Editorial development and structural feedback for fit and pacing.
- Line level edits with an eye on tone and language that matches the lane.
- Cover direction that fits dark western readers rather than generic horror shelves.
- Positioning for online retail pages and imprint catalog placement.
Series hosting and cross network story placement
Some stories work best as ongoing series. Slow burn arcs, multiple towns, or one main character dragging their history from place to place. For those, we look at placement across the wider network that TrueGritPress lives inside.
- Primary home at TrueGritPress for core western and frontier entries.
- Optional cross posting on partner story sites when the tone lines up.
- Clear labeling so readers always know where to start and what comes next.
- Flexible release schedule that respects the writer life you are actually living.
Launch support, back cover copy, and retail ready text
A strong book can still stumble if the description and surrounding text do not pull their weight. We help shape the words that frame the work for readers and retailers.
- Back cover copy tailored to dark western and frontier horror readers.
- Short descriptions for online catalogs and newsletter mentions.
- Basic launch email or announcement copy you can send to your list.
- Simple marketing angles that match your real bandwidth.
Optional technical setup through partner services
When needed, we can connect your project into partner services in the wider network. That can include technical help with metadata, accessibility ready files, or multi platform setup. This is handled through linked services, not all inside TrueGritPress.
If your project needs this level of support, we talk through it up front so you know exactly where the work happens and who is touching what.
Think your book might belong here
Send a simple pitch with your first chapters and we will tell you straight if it fits.