How it Works
From Manuscript to Marketplace
Publishing isn’t a single step—it’s a process.
At 9 Iron Media, we help creators navigate that process with clarity, transparency, and control, without bundled packages, inflated promises, or loss of ownership.
Our approach breaks publishing into four clear phases, each supported by education, guidance, and optional services—so you can make informed decisions at every stage.
01
Manuscript Development
This phase focuses on clarifying the direction of a story or project, providing early feedback and readiness checks, and helping creators structure and plan their work before moving toward publication. Community members on Just Write! receive a story concept review, a first-chapter review, access to writing and planning templates, and support in developing a professional author bio for later use. Optional services such as general editing and line editing are available but never required. The emphasis in this phase is on readiness and informed progress—not rushing to publish.
02
Publishing
This phase focuses on preparing a completed manuscript for publication by addressing the technical and strategic decisions required before release. Community members receive guidance on ISBN eligibility and use, pricing and royalty considerations, and barcode generation for print editions, along with a free ISBN for ebook formats. Optional services such as print layout, EPUB formatting, and cover design are available for creators who want professional production support, but they are never required. The emphasis in this phase is on informed publishing decisions, clear ownership, and setting up the work for responsible distribution.
03
Distribution
This phase focuses on helping creators understand their distribution options and make informed choices about where and how their work is made available. Community members receive guidance on setting up and managing their own accounts on major eBook and print platforms, including Amazon, Apple Books, Google, KOBO, and other leading retailers, as well as education on using tools such as Draft2Digital for expanded distribution. The emphasis in this phase is on platform independence, clear metadata practices, and maintaining full control over accounts, pricing, and distribution decisions.
04
Marketing
This phase focuses on helping creators build sustainable visibility and connect with readers after publication. Community members receive guidance on creating and optimizing author pages, access to a free author page hosted on the 9 Iron Media site, and practical direction on using social media intentionally and realistically. Optional services such as author website design, direct sales consulting, and guidance on developing lead magnets and email lists using Kit are available but never required. The emphasis in this phase is on long-term audience growth, consistency, and credibility rather than short-term promotion or guaranteed results.
