- Eliza Randall
- 0 min read
Atmosphere Press: A Closer Look at This Hybrid Publisher
Table of Contents
Founded in 2015 by Dr. Nick Courtright, Atmosphere Press is a hybrid publisher based in Austin, Texas, offering a blend of professional publishing support while allowing authors to retain control over their work. Known for its author-friendly approach, Atmosphere Press provides a range of services from manuscript editing to book marketing.
In this article, we’ll offer an in-depth review of their services, pricing, and customer experiences to help you determine if Atmosphere Press is the right fit for your publishing needs.
Overview of Atmosphere Press
Founded in 2015 by Dr. Nick Courtright, a PhD in Literature, Atmosphere Press is a hybrid publisher based in Austin, Texas. The company seeks to bridge the gap between traditional and self-publishing, offering a wide range of services while allowing authors to retain creative control and ownership of their work. Atmosphere Press emphasizes an author-centric approach.
Their services include editorial coaching, cover design, manuscript review, and audiobook production. Atmosphere Press’s model allows authors to keep 90% of their royalties, supporting them through the entire publishing journey. To date, they’ve published nearly 1,000 books across various genres, with many authors winning awards and reaching large audiences.
However, it’s important to note that Atmosphere Press operates selectively, accepting only manuscripts they believe have potential. While the company has a strong reputation for being author-friendly, some reviews express concerns about marketing support and royalty payments. As with any publishing decision, thorough research is recommended before committing.
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| ✅Pros | ⛔Cons |
| Ebook and audiobook services: Offers ebook conversion and audiobook production as optional add-ons. Wide distribution network: Authors benefit from distribution through retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. Customizable publishing packages: Flexible packages let authors choose services tailored to their needs. Collaborative approach: Works closely with authors, offering editorial feedback and guidance. | Selective manuscript acceptance: Not all submissions are accepted, limiting access. Comprehensive marketing not included: Basic publishing packages don’t include full marketing services. High upfront costs: The initial investment is significant for authors. Lack of transparency: Some aspects of pricing and services may not be fully clear upfront. |
✅Pros of Atmosphere Press
Ebook and audiobook services: Offers ebook conversion and audiobook production as optional add-ons.
Wide distribution network: Authors benefit from distribution through retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.
Customizable publishing packages: Flexible packages let authors choose services tailored to their needs.
Collaborative approach: Works closely with authors, offering editorial feedback and guidance.
⛔Cons of Atmosphere Press
Selective manuscript acceptance: Not all submissions are accepted. This can be a downside for authors hoping for guaranteed publication, as the company only takes on projects they believe have potential, leaving some authors searching for other options.
Comprehensive marketing not included: Basic publishing packages don’t include full marketing services.
High upfront costs: The cost to publish with Atmosphere Press ranges between $3,000 and $5,000, which may be prohibitive for some authors.
Lack of transparency: Some aspects of pricing and services may not be fully clear upfront.
What Services Do They Offer?
Atmosphere Press provides a comprehensive range of services that help authors navigate the publishing process while maintaining full control over their work. Their flagship service is a full publishing package, which includes editing, design, printing, and distribution, typically costing under $5,000. This package is tailored to meet the individual needs of each author, ensuring that their publishing journey aligns with their goals.
For authors who only need specific services, Atmosphere Press offers several à la carte options, such as:
- Custom Cover Design: Offers personalized and professional covers.
- Editorial Coaching & Manuscript Review: Detailed feedback or more in-depth coaching available.
- Audiobook Production & Distribution
- Book Marketing & Publicity: Offers promotional packages which include services like securing reviews, organizing interviews, and running ad campaigns.
- Custom Author Websites
Additional services, like consultations on book marketing strategies and promotional merchandise bundles, offer further support for authors.
Services Not Offered
- Formatting Services: While Atmosphere Press offers editorial services, they do not include full interior formatting for manuscripts. Authors must ensure their manuscripts are formatted to industry standards or purchase this as an additional service elsewhere.
- Comprehensive Design Beyond Covers: While they offer custom cover design, interior illustrations or custom design elements (e.g., charts, infographics) are not included in their standard packages.
- Proofreading in Standard Packages
Basic proofreading—which focuses on correcting grammar, punctuation, and typographical errors—is not part of their standard publishing package. Authors will need to add this service or ensure their manuscript is proofread before submission.
Pricing of Publishing with Atmosphere Press
Atmosphere Press uses a flexible pricing model that varies depending on the services you choose. Their Flagship Publication Service generally costs under $5,000, with pricing tailored through a collaborative discussion between the author and the Atmosphere Press team.
Services included in this publishing package are:
- Basic Editorial Support: Includes manuscript review and feedback, though not comprehensive editing.
- Custom Cover Design: Professional, custom-designed book cover tailored to your project.
- Interior Formatting: Ensures the manuscript is properly formatted for print and digital publication.
- ISBN & Barcode Assignment: Essential for selling your book through major retailers.
- Print-On-Demand (POD) Setup: Your book is printed only when orders are placed, eliminating the need for large print runs.
- Global Distribution: Available through platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major online retailers.
- Basic Marketing Guidance: Offers promotional advice and access to a database of independent bookstores (extensive marketing requires add-ons).
- Author Rights Retention: Authors retain full ownership of their book and 90% of royalties.
- Dedicated Project Manager: Guides you through the entire publishing process from start to finish.
They also offer additional publishing services that can be added on, but these can be quite costly and may significantly increase the overall cost of your publishing journey. For those interested in specific services, prices are as follows:
- Custom Cover Design: $800 to $1,200, based on complexity.
- Editorial Coaching & Manuscript Review: $500 for a manuscript review, and up to $1,700 for comprehensive coaching.
- Audiobook Production & Distribution: Between $1,500 and $5,000, depending on the scope.
- Book Marketing & Publicity Packages: $1,000 to $5,000 for promotional services.
- Custom Author Website: $500 to $3,000, depending on the website’s features.
These services give authors the flexibility to choose what fits their needs, but it’s important to be prepared for an investment ranging between $3,000 and $5,000 for a full suite of services.
How does Atmosphere Press’s Pricing Compare to Industry Standards?
When comparing Atmosphere Press to other hybrid publishers, their pricing falls within the typical range. Most hybrid publishers charge between $3,000 and $5,000 for their full services, though some offer packages as low as $1,500 or as high as $10,000, depending on the level of support.
If you’re looking for basic services, Atmosphere Press are more expensive than other options out there. However, if you’re seeking professional-level services like editorial coaching, custom cover design, or audiobook production, their pricing aligns well with competitors. For instance, BookBaby offers packages starting at $2,000, but additional services like marketing and distribution can increase costs—similar to Atmosphere Press. However, companies like Spines offer a more accessible option, starting from $99/month and offering similar publishing packages and services.
One key advantage of Atmosphere Press is that you retain 90% of your royalties and maintain full control over your book’s rights, making their upfront costs more appealing for authors looking to maximize long-term earnings.
While they may not be the cheapest option, Atmosphere Press offers a balanced mix of high-quality services and value for authors who want to retain creative control while receiving professional support.
Print on Demand (POD) and Distribution
Atmosphere Press uses a Print on Demand (POD) model, which is widely used in modern publishing, meaning your book is printed only when an order is placed. This approach eliminates the need for large, upfront print runs or warehousing, making it a cost-effective option for authors who want to avoid the risk of overprinting and managing excess inventory.
In terms of distribution, Atmosphere Press offers global reach by making your book available through major online retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, as well as other prominent distribution channels. They also collaborate with an international distributor, giving your book the opportunity to reach readers worldwide, which is a significant benefit for authors aiming to broaden their audience beyond local markets.
While Atmosphere Press handles the technical side of distribution, they lack in providing any real marleting, and authors need to actively participate in marketing to ensure their book’s success. Atmosphere Press provides access to a database of independent bookstores, which can help authors expand their reach, but the overall effectiveness of your book’s distribution will largely depend on how well you market and
Overall, Atmosphere Press offers reliable distribution through POD and global channels, but your book’s success will rely heavily on your efforts to promote it and connect with readers.
Publishing Timelines and Speed
When publishing with Atmosphere Press, you can expect the process to take 4 to 8 months from manuscript acceptance to final publication. This timeline covers key stages such as editing, cover design, formatting, and production. The exact duration depends on the complexity of your project and the services you choose.
For authors with a polished manuscript, the process may move more quickly, especially if fewer revisions are required during the editing phase. However, if your book needs significant developmental editing or multiple rounds of revisions, it will likely take closer to the 8-month mark.
Atmosphere Press emphasizes a collaborative process, giving authors input at every step. While this ensures you retain creative control, it also means timely feedback and approvals are essential to avoid delays. Compared to other hybrid publishers, Atmosphere Press’s timeline is fairly standard for a hybrid publisher, but there are must swifter publishing options out there.
For example, t’s worth noting that other companies, like Spines and BookBaby, offer much faster timelines, sometimes cutting the process down significantly.
In short, Atmosphere Press offers a longer publishing timeline than other publishing companies out there.
Marketing Services
Atmosphere Press offers a variety of marketing services, but they come as add-ons, which can significantly increase the overall cost of your publishing experience. Their Book Marketing & Publicity Packages range from $1,000 to $5,000, covering activities like securing book reviews, organizing interviews, and running targeted advertising campaigns. They also provide social media and email newsletter support, as well as access to a database of independent bookstores, helping authors expand their reach.
While Atmosphere Press provides marketing guidance and some useful tools, their services fall short of comprehensive marketing strategies offered by other publishers, like Spines or Greenleaf Book Group, which include more robust promotional options. Authors have reported mixed experiences – some found the packages useful for gaining visibility, while others felt the investment didn’t generate substantial returns.
In comparison to other hybrid publishers, Atmosphere Press’s marketing services can feel a bit limited unless you invest in higher-tier packages. The costs can quickly add up, and authors will need to be proactive in their marketing efforts to ensure success. For authors looking for more affordable and hands-on marketing support, other publishers may offer more extensive services for a similar price.
Royalties at Atmosphere Press
One of the advantages of publishing with Atmosphere Press is that authors retain 90% of their royalties, with the publisher taking only a 10% cut. However, it can be challenging to find detailed information about royalties on their website. In their FAQs, they clarify that they only take 10%, allowing authors to keep the majority of their earnings. This is a significant benefit compared to traditional publishers, where royalty percentages are much lower.
Customer Reviews and Experiences
Atmosphere Press has earned a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot, with many authors praising the company for its professionalism and author-friendly approach. A key strength of Atmosphere Press is the creative control authors retain throughout the process. Many appreciate the transparency regarding rights and royalties, as well as the expert guidance offered in services like editing and cover design.
However, there are some areas where Atmosphere Press has received mixed feedback. While authors value the support they receive, marketing services have been a point of concern for some, with several authors feeling that the promotional efforts didn’t yield the desired results. Additionally, royalty payments have been reported as delayed or unclear by a few authors, although these issues don’t appear to be widespread.
Overall, Atmosphere Press is praised for giving authors control and providing professional support, though potential authors should carefully consider the effectiveness of the marketing services and ensure the costs align with their goals.
Is Atmosphere Press for You?
Atmosphere Press is a strong choice for authors seeking a balance between creative control and professional support. Unlike traditional publishers, they allow you to retain up to 90% of your royalties while offering services such as editing, cover design, and marketing. However, their pricing—ranging from $3,000 to $5,000—puts them in the mid-to-high range compared to other hybrid publishers like BookBaby or Greenleaf Book Group.
Atmosphere Press is ideal for authors who want to be deeply involved in their book’s production, but still value professional guidance. If you have a polished manuscript and are comfortable handling much of the marketing and distribution yourself, they provide solid support without taking control of your rights.
However, if you’re looking for more comprehensive marketing services or more budget-friendly options, it may be worth exploring other publishers.
Ultimately, Atmosphere Press is a good fit for authors who are willing to invest in producing a high-quality book with professional backing, while maintaining full control over their work and royalties.
If you think Atmosphere Press is for you, check out their website for more information.
Best Alternative to Atmosphere Press…
If you’re looking for comprehensive publishing services, Spines Publishing Platform offers more than just printing. Unlike Morris Publishing, which focuses on printing physical books and leaves editing, formatting, and distribution to you, Spines provides a full range of services. This includes global distribution for eBooks, audiobooks, and print-on-demand, as well as copyright protection at no extra cost.
While Morris Publishing is great if you need high-quality short-run printing and want to handle everything else yourself, Spines supports you through the entire publishing process, from start to finish, making it a more complete solution. Schedule a free 15 minute call to find out more.
FAQs – Atmosphere Press
Q: What kind of publisher is Atmosphere Press?
Atmosphere Press is a hybrid publisher, meaning they offer professional publishing services—like editing, cover design, and marketing—while allowing authors to retain creative control and up to 90% of their royalties. Authors pay for the services they need, making it a mix between traditional and self-publishing.
Q: How much does it cost to publish with Atmosphere Press?
The cost of publishing with Atmosphere Press typically ranges from $3,000 to $5,000, depending on the services you select. Their full publishing package is customizable, and they also offer à la carte options like editorial coaching and audiobook production.
Q: How long does the publishing process take with Atmosphere Press?
On average, the publishing process with Atmosphere Press takes between 4 to 8 months. The timeline depends on the complexity of the project, how many revisions are needed, and the specific services chosen.
Q: Do I keep all the rights and royalties to my book?
Yes, with Atmosphere Press, you retain full ownership of your book’s rights. They take a small 10% cut of royalties, allowing you to keep 90% of the profits from book sales.
Q: Does Atmosphere Press offer book distribution and marketing?
Yes, Atmosphere Press provides book distribution through major online retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. They also offer optional marketing services, though some authors feel the results of these efforts can vary.