Professional Page Design
You provide the text of your book in Microsoft Word; we design the interior so the finished result looks like a regular, typeset book.
Print on Demand Book Publishing for a Flat $295 Fee
Red Lead Press is the perfect publishing solution for authors who have been rejected by commercial publishers, find other subsidy publishing options financially challenging, and yet believe they have something of value to share with others. One fee. No hidden charges or add-ons.
An imprint of Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. — the nation’s oldest author services company, helping authors to publish since 1920.
Publishing Services
What Your $295 Fee Includes
Everything a first-time author needs to hold a finished, professional paperback — for one flat, transparent price.
$295total — no hidden fees or add-ons
Full-Color Cover Design
Choose from a selection of attractive cover templates, personalized with your book’s title and author information.
Quality Paperback Printing
Your book is printed as a quality paperback, perfectbound edition using modern print-on-demand technology.
Copyright, ISBN & Bar Code
Copyright registration, an ISBN number and a retail bar code are provided with every Red Lead Press title.
Generous Author Earnings
Earn a generous royalty on every book sold, plus a generous author’s discount on copies you order for yourself.
Bookstore Listing & Distribution
A featured listing on the Red Lead Press online bookstore and the ability to order through thousands of booksellers nationwide.
The Process
How Publishing with Red Lead Press Works
From manuscript to published paperback in four clear steps — with no large financial commitment at any point.
Request the Agreement
Complete our short request form and a Red Lead Press publishing agreement is emailed to you for consideration.
Sign & Send Your Manuscript
Sign the agreement and mail it with your payment and your manuscript — one continuous file saved in Microsoft Word.
We Typeset & Design
Our team designs the interior pages and applies your chosen cover template to create a finished, typeset book.
Printed & Distributed
Your book is printed on demand, shipped to buyers within 48 hours, and made available through booksellers nationwide.
Manuscript Requirements
Is Red Lead Press Right for Your Book?
The Red Lead imprint keeps costs low by publishing straightforward, text-only manuscripts as submitted. You can publish as a Red Lead title if:
- Your completed book is saved as one continuous Microsoft Word file.
- The interior is text only — no photographs, illustrations, charts or tables.
- You are willing to choose from our cover templates, personalized with your book’s information.
- Your book does not require an index in the printed edition.
Common Questions
Quick Answers for Authors
How much does it cost to publish with Red Lead Press?
Your total cost for publication is $295. There are no hidden fees or add-ons — the flat fee covers page design, a full-color cover template, copyright, ISBN, bar code and print-on-demand distribution.
Will anyone edit or proofread my book?
No. Red Lead Press books are published exactly as submitted. What you provide on disk in Microsoft Word is what gets printed. If your book needs editing or original artwork, consider publication through our RoseDog Books imprint instead.
How do readers order my book?
Through the Red Lead Press online bookstore, thousands of booksellers nationwide, or our toll-free book ordering line staffed by professional Book Sales Representatives. Orders are printed on demand and shipped within forty-eight hours.
Beyond the Bookshelf
Worth a Look, Off the Main Shelf
A couple of pointers for readers who like to wander — new books from our own shelf, plus a resource from outside it.
Featured Titles
Each season we highlight a short shelf of new Red Lead Press books — from memoirs to niche nonfiction worth a quiet afternoon.
The Replica Watch, Up Close
One of this season’s featured books compares modern reproductions to the originals, reference by reference. Curious how convincing they’ve become? A specialist shop carries the current fake Patek Philippe lineup if you’d like to study the pieces in detail.
Ready to Become a Published Author?
Complete the request form and a Red Lead Press publishing agreement will be emailed to you immediately for your consideration. We look forward to helping you become a published author.
Get Your Publishing Agreement