Waterstones does not have a self-publishing portal like Amazon KDP. Its branches and website order from book wholesalers, which means an independent book has to be listed in the right distribution systems with complete, accurate information. The American Book Services sets that up for you. We arrange print distribution through IngramSpark, which supplies UK wholesalers, and we make sure your ISBN, metadata, pricing in pounds, and trade discount are configured so a bookseller can actually place an order.
Some authors already have a finished, distributed book and only need the UK side checked and corrected. Others need editing, a cover, and a full print setup first. We quote based on which of those describes you.
You get the editors, designers, and publishing know-how of a traditional house, but your book stays under your name and your control. You decide on the cover, the price, and where it sells.
Every project starts with a detailed consultation about your story, your readers and your goals. We get to know the book properly before writing, editing, or design begins, so the finished work reflects what you set out to say.
We do not take a share of your sales, and we never ask for your copyright or publishing rights. Every platform account is set up in your name, and the earnings go straight to you.
You see the cost of each service before work starts. You approve every file before anything is published, and you always know what stage your book is at.
A dedicated project manager keeps your schedule on track and replies when you have a question. If something on our side runs late, you hear it from us first.
We publish your book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Kobo. We also set it up with IngramSpark, so bookstores and libraries in many countries can order copies.
We can help build your author brand and plan your launch. That covers social media, Amazon ads, A+ Content, author pages, and press features, all aimed at the readers most likely to buy your book.
A UK release has a few more variables than a US one. These are the commitments we make on every project.
We will never promise your book will be stocked in Waterstones branches. We tell you exactly what we control and what is up to the bookseller.
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We help you balance discount, returns, and price so your book appeals to booksellers without losing money on every sale.
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You keep your rights and receive your earnings directly from the distributor.
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We give you a schedule that includes the waiting time for listings to appear, so you can plan a UK launch properly.
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Once your book is in the distribution system, readers can order it from the Waterstones website or ask their local branch to order a copy in. Getting a book onto a shelf is a separate step, and that decision rests with each branch. Local interest titles, books with an event attached, and books with strong reviews have the best chance. We can prepare a one page sell sheet and help you contact branches near you about stocking, signings, or readings. Contact The American Book Services to find out how ready your book is for the UK.
Start ProjectBritish bookshops favor certain formats, such as smaller B format paperbacks for much of their fiction and larger trade paperbacks for nonfiction. We help you choose a trim size, paper, and finish that look right on a UK table and keep your print cost low enough to allow a sensible retail price and trade discount. We also check your cover file against the printer's template so it is not rejected at upload.
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If your book already sells in the US, the UK is a natural next market, and Waterstones is one of the most recognized names in British bookselling. The American Book Services can get your book into the system UK booksellers order from and help you take the next steps toward local stocking.
Send us a link to your book or your manuscript, and we will explain what a UK release would involve.
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Our writers, editors, proofreaders, and designers have worked on novels, memoirs, nonfiction, children’s books, business titles, and academic writing. Every project is different, and we treat it that way, matching each book with people who know its genre and its readers. On the visual side, our illustrators and cover designers make sure each book looks as good as it reads, in print and online. Take a look at some of the books we have worked on.
Most authors end up juggling an editor, a designer, and a publisher, each with their own timeline. At The American Book Services, one team handles it all. That covers writing support, editing, proofreading, covers, illustrations, formatting, publishing, and promotion. You pick what your book needs and skip what it does not. You approve every step; your book is published under your name, and every royalty it earns goes straight to you.
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Before contacting us you might want to check whether your question is one of our FAQs.
At The American Book Services, we offer a complete range of writing and editing services, including book writing, ghostwriting, fiction writing, developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading. Our writers and editors work closely with you at every stage, from the first outline to the final proofread, so your manuscript is polished, consistent, and ready for publication.
At The American Book Services, our design and illustration services include custom cover design, full print wraps with spine and back cover, interior formatting for print and eBook, and original illustrations such as character art, maps, and graphics. Every design is built to your genre and prepared to the exact specifications of your printer and retailers.
Yes. At The American Book Services, you keep 100% of the rights to your book, including your manuscript, cover, and artwork, and you make the final decisions on content, pricing, and distribution. We do not take any share of your royalties. All earnings are paid by the platforms directly into your own account.
At The American Book Services, timelines depend on the services your book needs. A finished manuscript that only needs editing, design, and publishing setup is completed much faster than a book written from scratch, which typically takes several months. Before any work begins, we give you a clear schedule with a date for every stage.
At The American Book Services, pricing depends on the services you choose, the length of your book, and the level of work involved. We do not force you into fixed packages, so you pay only for what your book actually needs. You receive a detailed written quote before work begins, with no hidden fees.
Yes. At The American Book Services, nothing is published without your approval. You review and sign off on your outline, edits, cover design, and final proofs, and a dedicated project manager keeps you informed and answers your questions throughout the process.
