Do I need a finished manuscript before I contact Mills & Burch?
No. Mills & Burch considers finished manuscripts, unfinished drafts, notes, memories and early ideas. We only take on projects where we believe we can genuinely help develop a book.
A clear publishing journey
Publishing with Mills & Burch
From a story, manuscript or muddle of notes to a book prepared for readers.
What we do
A partnership built around your book.
Mills & Burch is an independent UK publisher that considers manuscripts and projects selectively. We work with accepted authors to shape, prepare and publish books through a one-off £100 commitment fee and an agreed royalty-share model.
You do not need to arrive with a polished manuscript before getting in touch. You can approach us with:
- A finished manuscript
- An unfinished manuscript or rough draft
- Notes, memories or research
- An idea you believe could become a book
We consider every project individually and only take on work where we believe we can genuinely help develop a book.
Could this be for you?
You may have more than you think.
This may be a good place to start if you have written a book, begun a manuscript, collected family memories, gathered research, or have an idea that feels as though it could become something more.
We work across fiction, non-fiction, memoirs and children's books. Every project is considered individually, and acceptance is selective.
How it works
The journey, step by step.
Every book is different, but this is the clear, practical route we follow when a project is right for Mills & Burch.
- 1
You have a story or manuscript
You might have a finished manuscript, an unfinished draft, notes, memories, research or an idea you cannot stop thinking about. It does not need to arrive perfectly organised to be considered.
- 2
You contact Mills & Burch
Facebook is the quickest way to tell us what you have. Start with the material you have now and the story you want to bring to life.
- 3
We consider the project
We are selective about what we take on. We look at the project and the support it may need, then decide whether it is something we think we can work on together.
- 4
If accepted, we agree everything clearly
Before work begins, we explain the work, responsibilities, royalty arrangement and one-off £100 commitment fee. The fee is only requested after acceptance.
- 5
The book is prepared
The agreed work can include shaping and developing the material, editing, formatting, design, preparation and practical support for publication.
- 6
The book is published
We prepare the finished book for publication, including practical guidance through Amazon KDP and the steps beyond.
- 7
We promote the book together
Mills & Burch provides practical promotional support, launch guidance and shareable material where appropriate. Authors stay involved and help readers discover their work.
The commitment fee and royalty share
Clear from the start.
For each new manuscript we accept, the £100 commitment fee is only requested after acceptance. It is a one-off contribution towards the time and work involved in preparing and publishing the book, including editing and development, formatting, preparation and practical support.
The £100 does not represent the full amount of work that goes into producing a book. Mills & Burch continues to put significant time into accepted projects and works on an agreed royalty-share basis. Everything—including responsibilities, royalties and the fee—is explained and agreed before work begins.
Become a recognised bestseller and your £100 commitment fee comes back to you.This applies to a recognised and verifiable achievement, such as an official Amazon bestseller ranking or badge. Bestseller status cannot be guaranteed.
A collaborative process
Making the book is only part of it.
Publishing is a partnership. Mills & Burch provides practical promotional support, launch guidance and shareable material where appropriate. Authors are expected to stay involved: sharing their book, talking about why they wrote it and helping readers find it.
We cannot guarantee bestseller status, sales or a particular outcome. We can be clear about the work, take care with the book and work with you to give it its best chance.
Common questions
A few things people ask.
What happens if Mills & Burch accepts my project?
Before work begins, Mills & Burch explains the work, responsibilities, royalty arrangement and one-off £100 commitment fee. The project then moves into the agreed preparation and publishing work.
When is the £100 commitment fee requested?
The £100 commitment fee is only requested after a manuscript or project has been accepted. It is a one-off contribution towards the time and work involved in preparing and publishing the book.
Do authors need to help promote their books?
Yes. Mills & Burch provides practical promotional support, launch guidance and shareable material where appropriate, and authors are expected to stay involved and help tell readers about their work.
Got something sitting on your computer?
It doesn't have to be perfect. It doesn't even have to be finished.
If you think there's a book in it, tell us what you've got. We'll take a look and let you know whether it's something we think we can work on together.
Talk to Mills & Burch →Read what happens after writing a book →