Author Testimonials

To the staff at Mill City Press:

With the creative process of HISTORY OF MISSOURI BANDS finalized and the finished book now available for purchase only a few “loose ends” remain.

May people have commented: “It’s beautiful!”

It truly is but I can only take partial credit. You must share those kind words and thanks of appreciation that have been written or told to me.

The organizational and creative process was most challenging during the six year project. But finding a publisher proved to be as daunting.  I spent hours online visiting the many companies that gave reason they should be selected to publish my manuscript. 

I called sales directors, I called authors, and I purchased books from prospective publishing companies. I visited two publishing companies in my city who do similar services for individual authors.  I found them unsatisfactory.

My selection narrowed to three companies that I felt were quite adequate to the task.  Making a final selection was not easy.  I went over my call notes with care many times. I compiled a comparison chart which included strength and weakness based on my research of publishing companies.  One author told me she had selected the “perfect” company for her poems … extolling the virtues of those she worked with. I was impressed. However, hers was not in my final three.

I called Michelle Brown more than once.  Much more. It was she who convinced me that I would be pleased with the services of Mill City Press.  She was reassuring but SHE WAS WRONG!  I am much more than pleased. 

Each call or email was returned promptly. This was so important. Your replies and answers, often to the same question over and over, were never returned in a condescending manner.  I was treated with respect and dignity throughout our entire relationship.

You work for a good company.  You have become good friends and I wish you well.

With kindest regards …Herb Duncan

“My manuscript, Fitness Beyond 50: Turn Back the Clock, was reviewed favorably by executives at several major publishing houses. They agreed that it’s well-written, educational and motivational, plus aimed at a very large market. They turned me down because I have no marketing platform or credentials in the field. Today they want authors who can do most of the marketing for them.

I entered the self-publishing world with some trepidation. As a former publisher of college textbooks and technical trade books I had hoped to attract a major publisher. Mark Levine’s book helped me make what I hoped was an intelligent decision to go with Mill City.

My experience to date has been outstanding, way beyond my expectations. Hannah Lee has been a pleasure to work with; she quickly learned the nature of my humor and has handled it well. She’s been responsive and informative.  The person responsible for the cover design deserves an A+.

Kate Ankofski’s assessment was outstanding; I implemented most of her suggestions. I had doubted she would have many, given that fifty individuals have read my manuscript, but I was wrong. Anna Schmeling’s response to several issues I raised that were out of the ordinary was, 'We’ll figure out how to make it work.' That’s my kind of language.

We were on a tight deadline for receipt of the formatted manuscript as we’re driving to our Florida home tomorrow. I needed time today to make copies for myself as well as the two other individuals who’ve agreed to proof it and then have them sent overnight to their homes. A loss of a day would have cost a week, given my travel schedule.

I was a bit nervous yesterday; I returned from dinner in the evening and the formatted manuscript was not in my emails. It appeared that we wouldn’t make the deadline. Imagine my surprise to check this morning and find an email with the manuscript attached – sent to me at 2:15 AM! Melanie Shellito had stayed to get the job done. This is just short of incredible.

We’re close to the finish line. I now have high confidence in the final outcome and look forward to working with Mill City in making the book a success. Feel free to use any portion of this message in your own marketing."

— Harry Gaines

“Let me give you the bottom line right here at the top: I am so happy that I picked Mill City Press to be my self-publishing company. I have absolutely no regrets. After having done quite a bit of research on different self-publishing companies—an overwhelming endeavor for anyone, especially a recovering(?) perfectionist—I narrowed it down to two contenders. What put MCP over the top was the fact that with them you keep 100% of the royalties that you earn. With the other companies, you either have to charge a fortune to make any money (and let’s face it, unknown authors and high prices don’t mix), or you have to give your books away in order to be priced competitively.

Then things got even better. No buyer’s remorse here. After having taken that leap of faith, because let’s face it, entering into an agreement with a company you don’t really know can be a little nerve-wracking, I fell in love with this company. And I’m not a real mushy guy, either. The staff at MCP is a pleasure to work with. There were times that I was emailing them 2-3 times a day and I never once felt the slightest hesitation. They always got back to me extremely quickly, and with a certain 'joy' not usually experienced via email (you’ll soon see what I mean). They always answered all of my questions directly and with detailed, easy to understand information. It didn’t take me long before I began feeling like, ‘I really, really like these people!’ even though I had never actually even spoken with most of them.

Back to the bottom line: Mill City Press is a wonderful company to partner up with. They are a joy to work with and truly are a ‘writer’s publisher.’ They really get it. I wish all companies were this competent, caring, organized, fair and down to earth. I cannot say enough about MCP and recommend them without the slightest hesitation.”

— Lucky Stevens, Author of The Pull Out Method