Frequently Asked Questions

Published and available books can be found in Tales & Titles and The Cozy Shelf pages. Additional titles will be added upon release and availability. 

Our books are available through major online retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Bookshop.org, and the Google Play (Google Book) Store.

You can also purchase select titles directly from our website, where you’ll often find exclusive offers, signed editions, and special bundles.

Yes! We offer bulk pricing for educators, bookstores, nonprofits, baby showers, book clubs, and special events.

To request a custom quote or place a bulk order, please Contact Us directly or send an email to orders@papertrailspublishing.com with the title, quantity, and any special delivery needs.

A member of our team will follow up to provide pricing details, availability, and next steps to complete your order with ease. 

We welcome a wide range of genres, including children’s books, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, self-help, and more. We focus on stories that inspire, uplift, educate, and empower readers. 

We offer three main publishing packages:

1. Basic Self-Publishing Package - Essential support at an affordable price.
2. Standard Self-Publishing or Hybrid Package - A well-rounded, mid-tier publishing solution with more customization.
3. Premium Hybrid Publishing Package - Comprehensive support, high-quality production, and in-depth marketing.

This package includes initial consultation and project setup, light copyediting/proofreading, basic cover design, interior formatting and layout, ISBN assignment and metadata management, and publishing platform setup. Optional add-ons are copyright registration and a marketing starter package. 

This package includes comprehensive editing, custom cover design, advanced interior layout and formatting, ISBN, metadata, and copyright registration, publishing platform setup with distribution assistance, and a basic marketing package. Optional add-ons include author website creation and additional marketing support. 

This package includes full editorial services, high-end custom cover design with artwork, professional interior layout and formatting, ISBN, copyright, and legal registration support, multi-platform distribution and inventory management, and a comprehensive marketing campaign. Additional options include author events and book launch coordination, and sales tracking and royalty management. 

Hybrid publishing offers a more collaborative experience, combining professional services with shared investment and distribution. Self-publishing gives you full control, with à la carte services and support to guide you through the process. 

Yes. Authors retain full copyright ownership of their work, whether they choose self-publishing or hybrid publishing with us. 

We guide you through the entire process, including ISBN acquisition, assignment, metadata entry, and confirmation, as well as copyright application preparation, submission, and record-keeping. 

Our fees are clearly outlined for each service, and we provide expected timelines for each process. ISBN registration is usually faster than copyright certification. 

We provide an initial consultation to answer any questions you may have. We also keep you updated and confirm successful ISBN and copyright registrations, providing you with the necessary documentation. 

Our marketing services range from basic packages, including social media setup and press releases, to comprehensive campaigns with social media strategy, website creation, author branding, email marketing, and media outreach. 

Absolutely. Many of our authors are publishing for the first time. We offer clear guidance, friendly support, and educational tools to help you feel confident every step of the way. 

We also offer add-ons such as author website creation, marketing support, and event coordination.

You can submit your manuscript directly through our Submit Your Manuscript page. Simply fill out the form, upload your file, and we’ll follow up within 5–10 business days to discuss your goals and determine the best package and services to fit your needs. 

While a finished manuscript is preferred, we also offer coaching and editorial services for authors in earlier stages. If you have a solid draft or book proposal, we’d still love to hear from you. 

We generally work with unpublished manuscripts, but if your book has only been self-published and you’re looking to relaunch or revise it, we’re happy to review it for consideration. 

Our editorial team will review your submission and determine if it aligns with our publishing goals. We’ll respond with feedback, next steps, and publishing pathway options. 

Yes. While we welcome a wide range of voices and genres, not every manuscript will be the right fit for our publishing goals or current catalog.

Each submission is thoughtfully reviewed, and we consider factors such as originality, quality, alignment with our brand, and market potential. 

If your manuscript is not accepted, please know it’s not a reflection of your worth as a writer. We carefully review each submission for alignment with our publishing goals, quality standards, and current catalog needs.

When possible, we’ll offer constructive feedback or recommend next steps—such as editing services or alternative publishing pathways.

For your privacy and protection, we do not retain copies of declined manuscripts. Any files submitted that are not selected for publishing are immediately and permanently destroyed.

Our goal is always to encourage and support authors, whether or not we move forward together on a project. 

Books we publish can be made available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Books-A-Million, the Google Play (Google Book) Store, and other major online retailers, as well as directly through PaperTrailsPublishing.com. 

While shelf space isn’t guaranteed, we help authors list their books with distributors that bookstores and libraries order from—like IngramSpark and Follett. We also offer outreach services to boost your book’s discoverability. 

Yes. We believe in collaboration. You’ll be involved in major creative and strategic decisions, with regular updates and opportunities to provide feedback at every stage. 

We’re still here for you! Post-publication support includes promotional strategy sessions, reader engagement tips, and optional marketing upgrades to keep momentum going.