Work with the people who answer the phone
If you want to contact a book publisher that actually reads what you send, you're in the right place. We're an independent house in Lake City, Colorado, publishing since 1996, and a person reads every message. Tell us about your book, ask a question about how we work, or ask for a free quote, which comes inside 24 hours.
Phone, email, office and hours
Calling is quickest during office hours. Outside them, write, and a person will answer.
How to contact a book publisher: pick the right door
We split the routes so the right person reads your message. Choose the one closest to what you need.
I want a quote for a service
Ghostwriting, editing, design, publishing, audio and marketing all start the same way: use the form or call. Look at our published prices first so you know the ground. We read a sample before quoting, and we'll tell you if the manuscript needs an earlier stage than the one you asked for.
I want to submit a manuscript
Please don't use the contact form for this. Go to submit your manuscript. There's no reading fee, and you get a written reply either way. If you're unsure which route suits you, our guide to the two routes to publication lays them out.
I have a general question
About the process, the two routes or who owns what? Use the form, email or phone. Our about page tells the story of the house, and the questions at the foot of this page may already answer yours.
I'm an author, press or partner
Published authors, journalists and anyone proposing a partnership can write to the main email address. Say which of those you are, and what it's about, in the first line.
What to put in your first message
A good first message saves a round of back and forth. Include:
- who you are, and how you want to be credited
- what the book is: genre, rough length, and whether it's finished, half written or an idea
- where it stands: draft, edited or designed
- which service or route you're asking about
- any real deadline or event
- the best way to reach you (the form asks for a phone number)
If it helps, start from this: "I'm writing a memoir about..., it's roughly... words, and I'd like to know..." Keep anything sensitive out of a first message; the NDA is signed before work starts. Our book writing checklist is a handy companion if the draft is still taking shape.
Our book writing checklist is a handy companion if the draft is still taking shape.
What happens after you write to us
Here's the path from your first message to a signed agreement.
If it's work we can't do well, you'll get an honest no and an explanation of what the book needs instead.
Before you sign anything with any publisher, it's worth checking contract terms with a trade body such as the Authors Guild.
Visit, call or write from Colorado
Lake City sits in the San Juan Mountains, and our office is on State Highway 149. The house publishes regional history, biography, memoir, and Colorado and Western writing, so the place isn't an accident: it's what we write about. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Mountain Time. You can see the books we've published before you call, which gives you something concrete to ask about.
Lake City sits in the San Juan Mountains, and our office is on State Highway 149.
Before you contact any book publisher
Whoever you write to, a few checks protect you.
- A real publisher doesn't charge to read your book.
- Ask how royalties and rights work, and get the answer in a contract.
- Look for a real address and a phone number that someone answers.
Watchdogs such as Writer Beware, a watchdog for authors keep track of pay-to-play outfits. If you're sending a manuscript, you may also want it registered: see US Copyright Office registration.
Here's how our two routes work. If our editorial board acquires your book, the house pays for editing, design, printing and distribution. If you publish independently, you buy only the stages the book needs, at published rates. For more, read our guide to publishing scams and the questions that expose them, or browse the publishing directory of other US publishers and compare us honestly.
If our editorial board acquires your book, the house pays for editing, design, printing and distribution.
Questions we get asked
How do I contact a book publisher?
Use the form on this page, call (336) 565-6915 in office hours, or email us. For a manuscript, use submit your manuscript. Say what the book is and where it stands, and a person will read it. There's no reading fee.
Where is Western Reflections Publishing located?
Our office is at 951 N State Highway 149, Lake City, Colorado 81235, in the San Juan Mountains. We're open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Mountain Time. We work with authors across the United States by email, phone and video.
Do I need a literary agent to contact you?
No. Our editorial board reads submissions directly, with no agent in between. Large houses often read only agented work, which is why many authors look for a different route. An agent is optional here, and our guide to finding a literary agent covers when one helps.
Does it cost anything to contact you or submit a manuscript?
No. There's no reading fee, and you get a written reply either way. Costs only arise if you decide to buy services from us, and every price is on our pricing page.
Can I publish a book for free with you?
If our editorial board acquires your book, the house pays for editing, design, printing and distribution, and the author pays nothing. Otherwise you buy only the stages your book needs at published rates, and we'll say which stages those are.
What should I include in my first message?
Who you are, the genre and length, where the draft stands, the service you want, any deadline, and your best contact number. The checklist higher up this page has the details and a short template opening you can copy.
Is my idea safe if I tell you about it?
Yes. A non-disclosure agreement is signed before work starts, and the copyright, royalties and manuscript remain yours. Nothing you sign with us takes ownership of the work.
Can I talk to someone before I send anything?
Yes. Call in office hours or write, and a person will answer. For a quick question, use the chat button. We read a sample before quoting, so you're never asked to commit before we've seen the book.
Have a manuscript ready?
Half written is fine. Send it and an editor replies either way.
Curious what authors think first? Read what our authors say.
The testimonials of all our wonderful clients
Our clients love to share how it felt to work with us. Here is what some of the authors we have partnered with had to say about the experience.
★★★★★“Working with the Western Reflections Publishing team was a great experience. I came to them with a book idea but needed help structuring it into a finished manuscript. They took the time to learn my objectives right away, communication stayed consistent throughout, and the writers did a great job keeping my voice while improving the structure and flow. I was impressed by how well the finished manuscript reflected my vision.”
Olivia Adams
★★★★★“Western Reflections Publishing took my half-baked idea and turned it into something beautiful. Sarah, my editor, was incredibly patient with me. The cover design team nailed my vision, and the publishing process was smooth. Seeing my book on Amazon is surreal. I'm beyond grateful for their services.”
Amy Tosh
★★★★★“I'm beyond impressed with the editing team at Western Reflections Publishing. They didn't just fix my grammar; they truly understood my voice and helped refine the narrative flow of my book. The transformation from my initial draft to the final version is incredible. If you want your book to stand out, this is the place to go.”
Dakota Bailey
★★★★★“I've published multiple titles, but working with Western Reflections Publishing for my latest release was the smoothest experience yet. From editing to marketing to distribution, their team was professional and responsive. It's clear they truly care about their authors' success, and the best part was that they valued my input and let me take the lead.”
Betty Lentz
★★★★★“I honestly didn't expect the publishing process to feel this smooth, but Western Reflections Publishing made it surprisingly easy. Their editing and formatting teams were thorough and attentive, and they guided me step by step. I felt supported the whole way, which gave me the confidence to finally share my book with the world.”
Caleb Hudson
★★★★★“I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth the process was with Western Reflections Publishing. Their developmental editing brought new clarity to my manuscript, and the formatting team delivered a polished, professional final version. The team's support and clear communication made the entire publishing experience easy to navigate.”
Madison Palmer