Free Self-Publishing Consultation

Before you spend a single dollar on publishing, you should know exactly what your book needs, what it will cost, and how long it will take. The free Columbia Publication consultation covers all three. Gia K., Book Production Manager, reviews your submission personally and responds within one business day. No obligation. No sales pressure.

Columbia Publication Editorial Team Updated May 2026
Book Your Free Consultation → 📞 +1 (703) 997-9787

What the Consultation Covers

Most authors come to the consultation with one question: "what do I actually need?" The answer depends on where your manuscript is, what your publishing goals are, and how much of the process you want to handle yourself. The consultation answers that question specifically for your book, not with a generic pitch.

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Your Manuscript

We review your genre, word count, current stage and format to identify exactly which services are needed and which are not.

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Your Goals

Publishing for family legacy, Amazon distribution, professional authority building and commercial launch all require different approaches. We align the engagement to your actual goal.

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Your Timeline

We give you a realistic week-by-week timeline from where you are now to the day your book goes live on retail platforms.

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Your Price

You receive a written price quote for your specific scope during the consultation. No vague ranges. No "starting from" language. A real number for your real book.

Who You Will Speak With

Gia K. is the Book Production Manager at Columbia Publication. Every consultation request is reviewed by Gia personally before a response is sent. You are not going into a queue to speak with whoever is available. You are getting a direct assessment from the person who would manage your book's production.

Columbia Publication does not operate with a sales team. The person who assesses your manuscript is the same person who oversees your production if you decide to proceed. That means the consultation is honest about what your book needs, including when the honest answer is that a service is not the right fit.

Publishing Packages — Confirmed During the Consultation

Columbia Publication operates three flat-fee publishing packages. The consultation identifies which one fits your manuscript and confirms the exact price. There are no post-signing surprises.

$499
Kindle Launch

You provide a completed edited manuscript and finished cover. Columbia Publication handles professional formatting, ISBN registration and Amazon KDP publication. 2–3 weeks.

$1,499
Global Publish

Adds professional cover design and global distribution across IngramSpark, Kobo, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble and 40+ retail platforms in 42+ countries. 4–5 weeks.

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$2,499
Full Production

Adds manuscript proofreading, a dedicated Book Production Manager, front and back matter setup, Goodreads profile and a week-by-week launch sequence. 7–9 weeks.

Editing is a quoted add-on based on manuscript length and condition. If your manuscript needs editorial work, this is identified during the consultation before any commitment is made.

Who Books a Consultation

Authors come to the consultation from every starting point. Some have a completed, edited manuscript sitting in a drawer and need to understand the fastest route to publication. Some are mid-draft and want to understand the timeline and cost before they finish writing. Some have already published through another company and want to republish with better results. Some are professionals — executives, doctors, lawyers, coaches — who want to build a book-based authority platform and need to understand what that investment actually looks like.

Every consultation is treated as a fresh assessment of that specific author's situation. The outcome is a clear, written answer: here is what your book needs, here is what it costs, here is when it will be done.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens in a self-publishing consultation?
The consultation covers your manuscript type and status, your publishing goals and target readership, which services your book actually needs, a transparent price quote and a realistic timeline. It takes 20-30 minutes and there is no obligation to proceed.
Is the consultation really free?
Yes. No charge. No commitment. No follow-up pressure. It is a professional assessment of your publishing situation.
Do I need a completed manuscript to book a consultation?
No. A completed or near-complete manuscript is ideal but authors at early stages can still get directional guidance on process, cost and timeline. The consultation is most specific and useful when a manuscript exists.
Who conducts the consultation?
Gia K., Book Production Manager at Columbia Publication, personally reviews every submission and conducts or oversees every consultation. You are not speaking with a salesperson.
How quickly will I get a response?
Gia K. responds to every request within one business day.

Book Your Free Consultation Now

Your manuscript deserves an honest assessment before you make any publishing decisions. Gia K. reviews every submission personally. One business day response. No obligation.

Book a Free Consultation →

Or call directly: +1 (703) 997-9787