Locked Founding Author pricing
Choose Spark through Ultimate at beta rates listed below. Your discount is the primary incentive for joining early.
AuthorShelf Inc. · Founding Authors Beta · Wave 1
Be a Founding Author
A small, invitation-based cohort of authors who publish through AuthorShelf at locked Founding Author pricing — in exchange for structured feedback that helps us polish the portal before we scale.
- Steep package discounts (35–55% off retail)
- Lifetime Author Portal included
- Direct founder attention during beta
- You keep 100% rights & royalties
Limited seats · Maryville / East Tennessee · Not a free trial
4–5Wave 1 seats
6Package tiers
35–55%Off retail
LifetimePortal access
What you get as a Founding Author
Real publishing services at Founding Author rates — not a sandbox demo.
Lifetime Author Portal
Same six-phase workflow, files, eProof, messaging, and royalties hub full-price authors receive — included for life.
Priority support
Target response under 12 business hours during beta. You’ll work with a real production path, not a waiting room.
Founder check-ins
Direct access to the founder for mid-project feedback calls so friction gets fixed while you publish.
Founding Author recognition
Option to be featured on the site (with your permission) as an early AuthorShelf author.
Rights stay yours
You keep 100% of rights and royalties. AuthorShelf never takes a cut of your book sales.
Founding Author package options
Retail vs Founding Author price. Final price is confirmed in writing if you’re accepted. Full package details.
| Package | Retail | Founding Author | You save | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spark | $199 | 50% | Lean entry path + lifetime portal | |
| Launch | $269 | 55% | Core production + portal | |
| Grow | $375 | 50% | eBook + print + distribution foundation | |
| Pro Popular | $549 | 45% | Most popular — production + marketing base | |
| Signature | $1,199 | 40% | Advanced marketing + expanded options | |
| Ultimate | $1,949 | 35% | Full suite + VIP-style support |
Prices shown are USD. Payment and signed Beta Addendum are required before production work begins. Not ready for a package yet? Book a free 15-minute Author Readiness Call.
What we expect from you
This is a paid partnership with clear mutual obligations — not free editing.
- A completed or near-complete manuscript (generally 30,000+ words fiction or equivalent nonfiction)
- Honest, detailed feedback — three short surveys (onboarding, mid-point, final)
- At least two scheduled 20–30 minute feedback calls during the project
- Report bugs or friction within 48 hours of discovery
- Permission to use your name, book title, cover, and testimonial in marketing (with your approval of the final quote)
- Accept the Services Agreement + Beta Addendum before work starts
- Respond to email within about 48 hours during active production
Who thrives in Wave 1
- Authors ready to publish — not shopping for free labor
- Comfortable giving candid product feedback
- Prefer transparent pricing and a real portal over opaque “packages”
- US-based preferred; English communication
- Genre fit: fiction, memoir, business, self-help, regional interest
Wave 1 is small on purpose
We enroll about 4–5 authors so support stays high-touch while we validate every portal step under real conditions.
How enrollment works
- Apply with the short form below (2–3 minutes).
- We review fit for Wave 1 — manuscript stage, package interest, and feedback readiness.
- If accepted, you receive the Beta Addendum + payment instructions for your locked price.
- After payment + signed terms, Title Setup opens in your Author Portal and production begins.
Short application
No payment on this form. Applying does not reserve a seat until we accept you and you complete terms + payment.
Questions before you apply?
We’re happy to talk fit without pressure.
You keep 100% rights and 100% royalties — we never take a cut of your book sales.