What Makes a Good Indie Publisher?

The publishing industry is full of options — and full of traps. If you’re an author considering working with a small press, here’s how to evaluate whether they’re legitimate.

Red Flags:

Upfront fees. Real publishers make money when books sell. If they’re charging you thousands before publication, that’s a vanity press.
Vague contracts. Rights, royalties, and termination clauses should be crystal clear. If they can’t explain the deal simply, walk away.
No distribution beyond Amazon. Serious publishers use IngramSpark or similar to reach bookstores and libraries.
No editorial process. A publisher that accepts everything without feedback isn’t curating — they’re printing.
Pressure tactics. “Sign today or lose your spot” is a sales trick, not publishing.

Green Flags:

Transparent royalty structure. You should know exactly what you earn per sale.
Professional editing and design. Your book should look indistinguishable from a Big Five release.
Selective acquisitions. Good publishers say no to most submissions. That selectivity protects their brand and yours.
Author-friendly contracts. Rights should revert to you under clear conditions. You should be able to leave if things aren’t working.
Track record. Look at their other titles. Are they professional? Are they selling?

How T28X Operates:

We don’t charge authors upfront. We invest in editing, covers, and marketing because we believe in the books we publish. We earn when you earn.

Our contracts are straightforward. If you want out, there’s a clear path. We’re not here to trap anyone.

We’re selective. We don’t publish everything that comes through the door. That protects our catalog’s quality — and your book’s company.