Manuscript Criteria For Acceptance
Your Preparation, Our Preparation With You, and Press Operational Notes For You
I. YOUR PREPARATION
Filler Pages
Beyond your core manuscript content, you are required to draft
and include the following administrative pages at the end of your .docx file:
A brief line, paragraph, or single-page note honoring those to whom your work is dedicated.
A one-page log listing your previous solo books or pieces published in anthologies and collaborations.
A dedicated page thanking the individuals, communities, or experiences that helped bring this book to life.
A short description of who you are, your website, social media handles, and a personal quote.
(Optional): A personal message directed to your readers regarding the book’s creative journey.
A concise, three-line description of your book. We will partner with you to refine this into your official back-cover blurb.
Collect early feedback from three to seven trusted readers regarding pieces from your manuscript. Provide their exact quotes, full names, professional titles, and social media handles.
Images & Graphics
Consistently sized images provide the necessary context for us
to advise you on the ideal physical book dimensions for your project.
For works focused purely on art, calligraphy, or photography with minimal text, your images must be at least 300 dpi. For text-centered works containing only a few select images, the 300 dpi quality standard still strictly applies.
Provide a professional calligraphy signature image (hand-drawn or digital) against a transparent or crisp white background, plus a high-quality profile picture representing your persona. Include your own pre-designed QR code or request one from us.
You must supply a landscape photograph, logo, or custom art piece that is 100% yours or for which you hold documented legal usage permission to ensure compliance with publishing standards.
Document Readiness
We format your draft to meet strict global digital and print standard specifications.
Please adhere precisely to the following criteria:
We exclusively accept Microsoft Word documents (.docx only). You must submit a completely unformatted document using a standard, readable font (Times New Roman, Palatino, Georgia, or Helvetica). Absolutely no custom layouts, embedded images, page styling, non-standard fonts, or section breaks.
If your draft is a photography, calligraphy, or art book with brief text segments, submit two distinct documents: one containing the raw text, and a secondary mockup layout showing exactly where you want that text placed. Include a secure Google Drive or WeTransfer download link inside your primary .docx file.
On the very first page of your .docx, you must clearly list: your exact ISBN(s), title, subtitle (if applicable), preferred book size (e.g., 5×8, 6×9), interior color format (Black & White or Premium Color), your official author name, and necessary credits for pseudonyms or contributors.
Note: We highly recommend a Black & White interior for text-heavy works;
a Premium Color interior is mandatory for image-heavy books to ensure your images meet our high-resolution standards.
Manuscript Submission
Once your Stargazing Voyage has been officially approved and your assets meet our strict Document Readiness
guidelines, we will provide you with a dedicated, private submission email address to securely transmit
your completed files and enter The Book Production Studio.
While the total length of the completed book can range between 44 to 58 pages, your main submitted content must align with the internal draft structure to leave mandatory room for at least 10 to 12 Filler Pages.
We accept a wide range of creative formats. Multi-genre combinations within a single manuscript are highly welcome:
You must acquire your own ISBNs, especially for print editions. While digital books don't strictly require one, it is best practice. Owning your ISBN ensures your title and author name are permanently attached to your specific manuscript as the publisher of record.
Secure your approved Stargazing Voyage during our active capacity windows throughout the year, and then take your time preparing your manuscripts for submission.
II. OUR PREPARATION WITH YOU
Editing, Proofreading, and Formatting
Our Editorial Team will dynamically develop your vision, executing meticulous line editing, copyediting, and proofreading.
After we apply the finishing design touches to your images, logos, and filler pages, we send you a digital proof. You have a one-to-two-week window to request revisions.
Subsequent revisions will only be executed if we made a formatting error or introduced an accidental human typo.
Cover Design, Presentation & Distribution
Design: Discussed collaboratively with our Art Directors. We allow one comprehensive round of corrections before finalization.
Delivery: Alongside production-ready files, we provide a commemorative poster, marketing captions, and high-end 3D book mockups.
Upload Assistance: We personally guide first-time authors through global distribution for the first manuscript only, ensuring independent execution for the remaining two.
III. PRESS OPERATIONAL NOTES FOR YOU
By submitting your work, you warrant that you are the sole creator and absolute legal owner of the manuscript. IGP assumes zero liability for copyright infringement, plagiarism, or intellectual property disputes arising from your submission.
While our fully sponsored support covers internal formatting, design styling, and editorial guidance, any external asset costs—such as specialized illustrations, third-party permissions, or custom software licenses—remain the sole financial responsibility of the author.
While two or all three of your allowed manuscripts may be submitted simultaneously, development within The Book Production Studio and The Editorial Arena will be executed sequentially—one book at a time per author—to safeguard our signature, high-quality finish.
All peripheral support—including archiving your title on our permanent Bookshelves, building custom author/book pages, trailer production, and publishing a dedicated press release via The Derecho—is executed entirely on our time. These features are a high-end privilege extended to our authors, currently managed manually by yours truly—a dedicated one-woman press called Ink Gladiators Press.