Frequently Asked Questions

Our publishing process is tailored to your needs and goals, along with your style and availability. We will start with a Vision Session to establish your goals. From there, we create a Master Book Plan and present a made-for-you strategy for promoting your book. Once the plan is agreed upon, we begin the book writing process with a ghostwriter or conduct a manuscript review of your existing copy.

Our Dickens serialized content service provides an ideal opportunity to package content from your upcoming book and promote your message and book sales leading up to publication. The Dickens service is also ideal if you want to build content and publish as you go, then structure and package your story as a book down the road. You can also gain first-rate media coverage with our PR services. Upon the completion and launch of your book and ebook, we will launch our best seller campaigns, if applicable to your chosen publishing program.

For more information on book publication, download your free guide to book publishing.

We combine the best of self publishing with the best of traditional publishing to give you the most ideal way to publish a book. You get traditional publishing quality from editorial to distribution and you get to maintain creative control, while also owning the rights to your book.

The book publishing process varies in length based on the goal of the book. If you want it to be in bookstores, like airports or Barnes & Noble, then the process takes 12-18 months due to the long lead times needed to present the title to buyers. However, if you just want it available for online retail the timeline is much faster; it can take 9-14 months to complete.

Our publishing experts will work with you to determine a feasible and ideal timeline after understanding your aspirations for the book and the research involved. The international supply chain may also affect the publish date of print books.

Yes, you will own your book and all rights to your book. However, Forbes Books has the exclusive rights to publish and distribute your book.

While you ultimately maintain creative control, we will guide you through the process to ensure you are adhering to publishing standards in order to produce a book of the highest quality and give it the best chance to succeed.

While other publishing houses may require an agent, our services are structured to directly work with the author — with no agent needed.

Our Advantage Books and Forbes Books publishing programs are divided into different tiers, based on the additional promotion and services associated with them. Due to the exclusivity, positive name recognition, premiere expert access, and promotional features, Forbes Books programs incur a higher cost. Each package can be tailored to you; therefore, costs per publishing program varies.

Yes! Our highly-seasoned distribution team works to sell your books to large retail and independent bookstores, such as Hudson, Barnes and Noble and Books-A-Million.

Our award-winning graphic designers have years of experience crafting custom-made book covers that rival any business books on the front table of retail outlets. Book cover design is included in our comprehensive book publishing programs. View our published books for an example of our work.

Book plans are meant to be flexible. Sometimes two chapters need to be merged, a chapter should be split, or a new chapter should be added. However, if you determine that the plan needs changes that impact costs in a significant way, then additional fees may apply. Otherwise, adjusting the book plan is a natural part of the creative process.

Ghostwriting is the process of employing a writer to turn your ideas into written content, without sharing the author title. We employ award-winning ghostwriters in multiple genres, categories and languages.

Once your ghostwriting partner has been selected, you will mutually agree upon a video or phone interview schedule that follows the outline of your Master Book Plan. Your ghostwriter will transform those interview sessions into the first draft of your manuscript.

The ghostwriting process, from kick-off to sign-off on the line edit, is usually about 6 months. Timelines may vary with the complexity of the book or the chosen involvement of the author.

The value of book authorship stretches far beyond retail sales. As a published author, your name carries greater weight and instills trust in your expertise. Book authorship can lead to significant PR opportunities because you now stand out among peers as the true authority in your space.

We recognize that speaking is one step to building a reputation as a thought leader and authority. Our PR strategists will create a tailor-made PR strategy that may include speaking engagements along with other forms of media, such as TV or radio coverage.

Forbes Books is the flagship book publishing imprint of Forbes Media, publisher of Forbes Magazine and Forbes.com. As the largest, and most well known business media brand in the world, Forbes Books truly represents The Best in Business.

A select group of Forbes Books authors are chosen from the applications we receive each year. Forbes Books authors share some common characteristics: They are CEOs, entrepreneurs, or leaders that have standout leadership accomplishments across their professional career and are well respected for their acumen.

Advantage Books is the namesake book publishing imprint of Advantage Media. Like Forbes Books, Advantage titles are crafted to the highest quality standards. Advantage Books authors are also experts with valuable knowledge and passion to share.

Advantage Books authors typically lead smaller or regional businesses and/or are creating a book to serve a very specific objective which doesn’t include the sale of copies through retail outlets.

Like Forbes Books, authors must apply, and Advantage Media is selecting titles based upon our ability to help the author achieve his/her goals and the merit of the content and message of the author.