We help writers get where they need to be. We interview as ghostwriters; we edit (developmental, copy editing and proofreading), design, illustrate, photograph, create marketing strategies and guide authors to the best printer for their publication. We choose to work with IngramSpark and Ingram Wholesale in Nashville due to their quality and book inventory marketing online. There are many other print companies, but we have found great success with IngramSpark. However, if an author has a particular printer in mind, we’ll discuss those options.
We offer a contract that was written to the benefit of the author. We do not offer “packages” because one size does not fit all. Every author we’ve had has needed something different to achieve their success. We work by the hour and can give you a good estimate of what costs will be. We invoice monthly. Our 2022 contract specifies that our hourly rate is $65 per hour. Illustrators have their own contract with the author if they are needed for a large number of illustrations, say, for a children’s book.
We also create press releases, photographs, brochures, illustrations, magazines, for electronic and print distribution.
Co-founders are Jesse and Jacque Hillman. Jacque Hillman is Senior Editor/Owner, with 40 years of editing, writing, interviewing and design experience. Jesse Hillman, Senior Editor Emeritus, passed away on Dec. 19, 2022 after a long illness. Our staff includes: Assistant Editor Katherine Gould; Artistic Director Wanda Stanfill; Assistant Editor Kim Stewart; Page Designer Pam Stanfield; and Associate Editor Jason Tippitt. Other staff members include illustrators, photographers and videographers.
Jacque Hillman provides ghostwriting expertise and/or serves as a co-author. She will only take on one ghostwriting project at a time. Often in-depth research is required to help the author fulfill their book development. Her 2023 hourly rate is $75 an hour.
We are a hybrid publisher as defined by IBPA. It is our preference to give all online sales royalties to the author. Some publishers give a portion. IBPA’s Hybrid Publisher Criteria requires that hybrid publishers behave just like traditional publishers in all respects, except when it comes to business model. Hybrid publishers use an author-subsidized business model, as opposed to financing all costs themselves, and in exchange return a higher-than-industry-standard share of sales proceeds to the author. In other words, although hybrid publishing companies are author-subsidized, they are different from other author-subsidized models in that they adhere to professional publishing standards. Regardless of who pays for editorial, design, and production fees, it is always the publisher who bears responsibility for producing, distributing, and ultimately selling professional-quality books.
We are a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association, the Military Writers Society of America and the Historical Novel Society.
Email us at hillhelengroup@gmail.com or call (731) 394-2894. Find us on Twitter at HelenHillman1, on Facebook, on LinkedIn.
Senior Editor
Artistic Director
Assistant Editor
Page Designer
Associate Editor
HillHelen Group Publishers 