The New York Times reported that "81% of Americans feel they have a book in them... and should write it."

The trouble is - writing can be a lonely and overwhelming endeavor. Without the help of other people and a way to get published, most simply never write it.

You have a book inside of you, a story waiting to be shared and Prodigal Press can help. We are committed to helping people, just like you, discover the power they have to share their story.

If you want to have a story and write a book, we can create a hand crafted experience to help you get it published.

Sign up to participate by June 30.
 We'll help you write a book in one year.
You'll have it in your hands in one year.

If you have a book inside you, we can help you get it out and into your hands with the help of our specialized team, proven process, community of writers and publishing services.

Prodigal Press is committed not just to books, but to writers.

Here's what the process looks like:

Writing Your Book

  • Sign up on the form below by March 31 to be considered for next term. Limited space is available. Please don't hesitate to apply.
  • You will have a one hour meeting with coaches, Darrell and Allison Vesterfelt who will help you organize your idea into a workable developmental plan.
  • You'll receive a short but potent email from Ben Arment or Darrell Vesterfelt every Monday morning for 9 months about HOW to write your book. The following months we will address how to build your platform, and prepare for its release - week by week
  • You'll be introduced to the other writers in a private group where you will be able to update and show your progress, as well as give encouragement and accountability.
  • We'll show you how to upload each chapter to your own Google doc and link it so that other participants can read it and provide feedback
  • You'll be held accountable for writing it, chapter by chapter, month-by-month, in an encouraging and helpful way. This book will happen!

For more info, read our FAQs

Editing Your Book

In December, when your manuscript is finished, our meticulous in-house editors will help prepare it for release to the marketplace.

Here's what the editing process entails:

  • A one page document, from your developmental editor on the book’s overall content.
  • Editing for punctuation, spelling and grammatical errors.
  • Overall editing for sentence structure, style, tone, word choice and flow.
  • You'll receive a red-lined copy (using the "track changes" feature in Word), so you can accept or reject each change.
  • You'll also receive one clean copy with all of the changes accepted.
  • Note: It will NOT include a total rewrite of entire pages or chapters and it will NOT cover the content's logic or premise.
  • Our service includes editing up to 250 double-spaced 8-1/2 x 11 sheets of paper. Additional pages are $30 per hour.

For more info, read our FAQs

Designing Your Book

As you are working on the editing process your book will go to our team of talented designers who will lay-out the interior and create a cover based on your concept.

Here is the design process:

  • You give us your concept for the cover, during a 30 minute concept meeting.
  • We'll provide a design based on that concept that you and your designer develop.
  • We'll make up to one change on the design. (Additional changes are $50 an hour)
  • We'll also lay-out the book's interior.

We have chosen one standard format for all of the releases in order to strengthen the brand. It is a gorgeous, thick-textured, matte-finish paperback cover with a beautiful typeface and page layout.
Your book will feature a Dream Year Books publishing icon on the back panel and spine. See the FAQs for more info about this.

For more info, read our FAQs

Printing Your Book

After you approve the design, our publishing manager will see it through to publication. We'll get it printed and listed in online stores - both print AND e-books - for Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble, and Nook. It will be ready to sell. (Keep in mind, it takes a few weeks for retailers to list it)

Here's our production process:

  • Obtain ISBNs for both print and eBooks
  • Obtain barcodes for both print and eBooks
  • Deliver the files to the book printer
  • Run the proofs by you for approval
  • Format the eBook and upload it to retailers
  • Submit the printed books to online retailers
  • Get you set up to manage your own books, printing, and statements.
  • When someone orders the book on-line, it will automatically be printed on demand and fulfilled by Amazon or Barnes & Noble. You don't have to do anything... except get paid =)
  • We will run your book for 2 years and then return the files to you
  • You'll receive 50 free copies of your book and the chance to purchase your own book at-cost (average is $3-5 per copy plus shipping).

For more info, read our FAQs

Affordable Price Structure

  • The process is divided into four quarters
  • You pay in installments at the beginning of each quarter
  • Each installment is $850 which covers the cost of everything. We'll provide everything you need to publish your book all in one place.
  • No guesswork. No gimmicks. We just want to help you tell your story!

For more info, read our FAQs

This is the Year You Become an Author