Whether you have a fully-formed manuscript, a rough collection of notes, or simply a nagging feeling that you have a story worth sharing, you’re welcome here.

We work with the person first, so there’s no “right” starting point and nothing you need to figure out before reaching out. Orla meets you exactly where you are and shapes the process around you, your ideas, and your goals.

The best choice is the one that feels safe, supported, and aligned with your values and goals. If a publishing path leaves you feeling heard, protected, and genuinely cared for, you’re on the right track.

At Orla Kelly Publishing, we work with the person first and the book follows. Unlike large, generic publishers, you won’t be passed from department to department. You work directly with Orla and her trusted team right through to holding your finished book in your hands. It’s a personal, bespoke service built around trust and lasting relationships.

Not sure which route suits you? That’s completely normal. We offer a complimentary consultation to help you decide with confidence — no obligation, just a warm, honest conversation.

The main difference is that Orla Kelly Publishing is a modern day publisher, which means I offer authors the professional support they need to publish their book without the gatekeeping, delays, or loss of control that often comes with traditional publishing.

With traditional publishing, authors usually submit a manuscript, wait months or even years for a decision, and face no guarantee of being accepted. If they are offered a deal, they often give up a significant amount of control over the book, along with rights and a large portion of their royalties.

As a modern day publisher, I work differently. I help authors publish professionally while allowing them to keep ownership of their work, retain creative control, and receive their royalties. Instead of waiting for permission, they get expert guidance, personal support, and a publishing process that moves at a pace that suits them.

Yes as an add on investment.

Yes, honest, supportive feedback is part of how we work with our clients. When you work with Orla directly, you’ll receive genuine insights to help your book become the best version of itself.

If you’re not quite ready for full client work, or you’re feeling unsure about your writing, that’s completely fine. Orla also offers self-paced and live workshops, giving you a gentle, confidence-building way to strengthen your writing at your own pace.

Wherever you are on your journey, there’s a supportive path for you

Copyright is a type of intellectual property that grants full rights to the author and even though using the copyright symbol isn’t legally required, it does show visible ownership and “claim” to the body of work. You don’t need to register copyright ownership as the creator is the owner and your rights are protected. Still, I always use © with the authors name and the year it is claimed from. Typically, after 70 years it goes into the public domain. A Copyright page is included in all my published books.

Yes, you can. One of the joys of publishing this way is that your book isn’t set in stone once it’s live.

Whether you spot a small typo, want to update your author bio, or need to refresh part of your content, changes can be made (once they don’t require a whole new edition to be created).

You won’t have to navigate this alone. Orla is here to guide you through any updates, taking care of the technical side so the process stays simple and stress-free. Our support doesn’t stop the moment your book goes out into the world; many of Orla’s clients work with her long after their book is published.

I offer full ghostwriting, design and publishing services and get your books up for online sale and online distribution. If your book is available online for expanded distribution, then online stores can purchase. I do provide information on how to approach bookstores and libraries along with a book AI sheet where they can buy your book but don’t handle the contact or posting of books to them or invoicing.

I show you how to do Amazon promotions and link with online book promotion sites. I can offer social media management for posting content about your book. Write a press release, show you how to contact media, get on podcasts but have a few marketing specialists I call upon for these services I feel are a better fit for your specific requirements.

If you only want a few copies, it is cheaper to get them printed from your author account with Amazon or Ingramspark. For bulk orders, a traditional printer is the way to go.

No. if you want a hardback version you need to upload to Ingramspark.

For Amazon there is a formula: Fixed cost + (page count * per page cost) = printing cost

For example, here’s how we calculate the printing cost of a 300-page black ink paperback sold on the US marketplace:
$0.85 (fixed cost) + (300 [page count] * $0.012 [per page cost]) = $4.45 (printing cost).

For Ingramspark, there is a similar formula. For traditional printers, there is a discount for bulk printing.

If you want to print in bulk, it will be cheaper to get a quote from a printer. If you want less than 100 copies, it may be cheaper to order directly from your account at Ingramspark. Amazon is very expensive to distribute and print coloured books. Ingram is very cost-effective and affordable and they also distribute to Amazon.

Once it is above the minimum list price. The list price depends on the print cost and then adding Amazons royalty.

The honest answer is that your results depend on your goals and how you use your book once it’s out in the world. A well-crafted book won’t magically top the bestseller charts, but it can do something far more valuable for you.

The pride of holding your finished book and knowing you’ve created a lasting legacy that shares your story, and passion with others.

The more intentionally you use your book, the more it gives back. We’ll help you shape it around what matters most to you.

For other authors, a book becomes a powerful way to build credibility and authority in their field. It opens doors to speaking opportunities, helps attract the right clients, and works quietly as a lead-generation tool long after launch day.

Return on investment from a book rarely comes from sales revenue alone for non fiction/business style books, that’s usually the smallest part. The real returns often show up as authority, credibility, visibility, new client enquiries, and a lasting legacy that keeps working for you long after launch. 

Several things shape that return. How well your book is positioned, how actively you use it as a business tool, the quality of the content, and your own goals all play a part. A book used with intention tends to give back far more than one left sitting on a shelf. 

For fiction and other non-business books, return on investment works differently. Here, sales revenue becomes a more direct measure of return — but how much you earn depends on a wide range of variables that go beyond the book itself.

Several things shape that return. Genre plays a big role, as some markets are more competitive than others. Discoverability matters too — how well your book is optimised for search and how easy it is for the right readers to find it. Beyond that, your marketing activity, your social media presence, and your level of engagement with your audience all make a real difference. The more visible and active you are in promoting your book, the stronger your returns are likely to be. Again book put out into the world with intention and effort behind it will always outperform one left to find its own way.

We’ll always be honest with you about what’s realistic — no hype, no empty promises