Book planning & structure
Organising ideas, chapters and story flow.
What we do
From uncertain idea
to finished book.
Affordable partnership publishing without the huge fees charged by many publishing services. Accepted manuscripts have a one-off £100 commitment fee, alongside our agreed royalty-share model.
Bring us the memories
A life story starts with what you remember.
You do not need a manuscript. Our guided memoir builder asks patient, detailed questions about your life, the people in it and the moments that matter. Spelling, grammar and tangents are welcome.
Tell us your storySubmitting makes no commitment. Scope, costs and terms are agreed before work begins, including for private family books.
Editing & development
Thoughtful work to strengthen clarity, structure, pace and impact.
Memoirs & true-life stories
Sensitive support for lived experience and important memories.
Fiction guidance
Support with plot, characters, pacing and emotion.
Children’s book development
Shaping simple ideas into warm, imaginative stories.
Formatting & design
Clean, professional preparation ready for publication.
Amazon KDP preparation
Practical help preparing and publishing your book.
Author guidance
Patient support and clear explanations throughout the process.
Promotional support
Launch guidance and shareable promotional material where appropriate.
A clear, affordable arrangement
£100 one-off commitment fee.
For each new manuscript we accept, the fee contributes towards our time, editing and development work, formatting, preparation, practical publishing costs and ongoing support.
It is not an expensive publishing package. Mills & Burch continues to invest substantial time and expertise in your book, and we continue working on an agreed royalty-share basis.
Acceptance remains selective, and the £100 fee is only requested after a manuscript is accepted. Everything is agreed clearly before work begins.
Become a recognised bestseller and your £100 commitment fee comes back to you.The achievement must be recognised and verifiable, such as an official Amazon bestseller ranking or badge. Bestseller status is not guaranteed.
Common publishing questions
Do I need a finished manuscript?
No. You can approach Mills & Burch with a finished manuscript, an unfinished draft, notes, memories or an early idea.
What kinds of books do you publish?
We consider adult fiction, non-fiction, memoirs and children’s books. Every project is assessed individually.
How much does it cost?
Accepted manuscripts have a one-off £100 commitment fee. We are selective about what we accept, and the fee is only requested after a manuscript is accepted.
What does the fee contribute towards?
It contributes towards the time and work involved in preparing and publishing your book, including editing and development, formatting, preparation and practical support.
Do you take royalties?
Yes. Mills & Burch works on an agreed royalty-share basis, with the fee, responsibilities and royalty arrangement explained before work begins.
What is the Bestseller Refund?
If a book achieves recognised and verifiable bestseller status under the agreed terms, such as an official Amazon ranking or badge, the £100 commitment fee is refunded. Bestseller status is not guaranteed.
How it works
A clear partnership from the start.
- Contact usTell us what you have—even if it is only an idea.
- We assess itWe consider your manuscript or idea and the support it needs.
- Agree everythingIf accepted, we explain the agreement, royalty arrangement and £100 fee.
- Work beginsWe start once the terms and responsibilities are clearly agreed.
- Prepare & publishWe develop your work and prepare your finished book for publication.
- Promote togetherWe work with you to help your book reach readers.
After publication
Giving every book its best chance.
We want to help you get your book published, but we also want to help you give it the best possible chance once it is out in the world.
Authors are expected to make a reasonable effort to remain involved after publication. That can simply mean:
- Sharing book links and launch posts
- Using and sharing promotional graphics
- Talking about your book on your own social media
- Responding when promotional information is needed
- Continuing to support your book after launch
Mills & Burch will provide practical promotional support, launch guidance and shareable material where appropriate. Neither side is left waving at your book from a distance.
Not sure whether your book is ready?
That is exactly the sort of conversation we are happy to have.
Tell us about your book →