The Imprint Of Authority

Books That
Build Authority

Ballast Edge partners with founders, executives, and leaders to publish world-class nonfiction.

Edge authors use their book as the cornerstone of their platform. Complimentary content increases their reach and turns it all into a lasting authority engine.

See how Ballast Edge is revolutionizing high-end publishing.

Submit Your Book Idea View Programs

Why Ballast Edge

The best of both worlds,
without the trade-offs.

Traditional publishers take the rights, the control, and the royalties. Self-publishing leaves everything on your desk. Ballast Edge gives you an in-house team of publishing professionals while you keep all rights, creative control, and the majority of royalties.

We are an imprint of Ballast Books—the same editors, designers, producers, distribution, and PR that stand behind our highest-profile titles, pointed at your book.

100%
Author-Retained Rights
∞
Revisions Within Your Program Scope
1:1
Concierge Publishing Team
Thousands
Of Books Sold
Expert
Publishing Team On Every Project
White-Glove
Project Management

Publishing Programs

Three tailored pathways.
One quality manuscript.

Every program delivers the same publishing standard. The tiers differ in one thing: how much of the writing we do with you. Whichever you choose, you end up with a quality manuscript—and any program can be paired with the Content Program.

Foundation

You've written it. We make it excellent.

Starting at $17,500

The editing process

Your manuscript is read in full by a senior editor before a single change is made. You receive a candid manuscript evaluation—structure, argument, pacing, and market positioning—followed by the levels of editing your book actually needs: developmental notes to strengthen the through-line, line editing for rhythm and clarity, copy editing for grammar and consistency, and a final proofread against a house style sheet built for your voice. Every pass is reviewed with you, never imposed on you.

Full manuscript evaluation and editorial direction
Developmental, line, and/or copy editing as needed
Final proofread and quality pass before print
Quality cover design
Premium interior layout
Print on demand publishing
Metadata creation and title listing management
Global distribution
E-book creation and distribution
Strategic marketing and PR
Author copies

Apply for Foundation

Most chosen

Authority

You write it. We guide you the whole way.

Starting at $24,500

Author coaching & developmental editing

You write the book—you just never write it alone. We start with a working session to shape the concept, then build a chapter-by-chapter outline and a time-bounded writing road map with real deadlines. Your author coach meets with you on a regular cadence, reads pages as they arrive, and returns developmental editing notes on argument, structure, evidence, and voice while the draft is still moveable. When the manuscript is complete, it goes through the same full editorial process as Foundation.

One-on-one author coaching on a set meeting cadence
Detailed chapter outline and writing road map with deadlines
Developmental and structural editing on pages as you write
Full editing and final proofread on the completed manuscript
Quality cover design
Premium interior layout
Print on demand publishing
Metadata creation and title listing management
Global distribution
E-book creation and distribution
Strategic marketing and PR
Author copies

Apply for Authority

Legacy

You talk. We write it for you.

Starting at $49,500

The ghostwriting partnership

A professional ghostwriter is matched to your subject and voice, then runs a structured interview program—typically dozens of hours—to pull out the stories, frameworks, and judgment only you have. They handle research, source material, and any supporting interviews with colleagues or clients. You approve the outline, then review drafts chapter by chapter as they are written, so the book sounds like you at every stage. The finished manuscript then moves through the same full editing and proofreading process.

Matched professional ghostwriter and voice study
Structured interview program, research, and source gathering
Chapter-by-chapter drafting with your review and approval
Full editing and final proofread on the completed manuscript
Quality cover design
Premium interior layout
Print on demand publishing
Metadata creation and title listing management
Global distribution
E-book creation and distribution
Strategic marketing and PR
Author copies

Apply for Legacy

The Content Program

Content Program

Starting at $12,500

Content is king. We produce a full content engine around your book—long-form documentary film, short-form social cutdowns, photography, design, and written content—so your story keeps working every week, not just at launch.

Build My Content Plan

Long-form film

Documentary on you, your business, and your legacy
On-site filming with our crew or studio sessions in West Palm Beach, Florida
Professional direction, editing, and post-production
Founder and brand story films for web and keynote

Short-form & social

Dozens of cutdowns for LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok
Interview and podcast clip packages
Captioning, thumbnails, and posting-ready delivery

Written, photo & design

Editorial photography and headshots
Blogs, articles, newsletters, and website copy
Graphic design, visuals, and keynote assets

Optional Add-Ons

Extend any program with a physical print run, audiobook, or targeted marketing campaign.

Offset Print Run

Starting at $15,000

Professional, high-quality printing of 1,000+ copies of your book with accessibility to and targeted pitching for physical distribution to brick-and-mortar stores based on demand.

Audiobook

Scoped to your goals

Narration by author-approved voice talent or editing of author-supplied audio files as well as professional mastering and distribution to Audible, Amazon, and Spotify.

Marketing Campaign

Scoped to your goals

Custom marketing engagements, built for your goals, may include Goodreads giveaway, website creation, book reviews, book award submissions, digital ads, social media campaign, and beyond.

The Team

The people behind every book

Ballast Edge is staffed by the in-house Ballast Books team—editors, designers, producers, and publishing veterans who work on your book directly. No freelancer marketplace, no rotating vendors.

Mirko Pohle

Designer

Marketing, Design & Audio

Kent Lutt

Audiobook Producer & Narrator

What We Do

We build great books the way great companies build brands.

From manuscript development to national publicity, an expert publishing team handles every step of the work—with the craft, quality, and strategic positioning your name deserves.

01
Ghostwriting
A professional writer does the writing. Structured interviews and narrative craft render your voice on the page with the pace and clarity of a seasoned author.
02
Author Coaching
One-on-one guidance for authors writing their own manuscript—with structure, accountability, and developmental feedback provided every step of the way.
03
Manuscript Evaluation
A candid professional review of your existing manuscript—what is working, what is missing, and exactly what it needs before production.
04
Editing
Whatever level of editing is required—developmental, line, and/or copy editing as well as proofreading—to ensure quality while preserving your voice and brand.
05
Cover Design
Custom cover direction developed by senior book designers for paperback or hardcover with dust jacket—engineered for shelf presence, retail thumbnails, and category credibility.
06
Interior Layout
Premium interior typesetting and layout to create an engaging reading experience with readability, as well as your brand, in mind.
07
Additional Formats
E-book conversion and professional audiobook production, so your book reaches readers in whichever format they prefer.
08
Publishing & Distribution
Professional printing and publishing with global distribution across Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookseller networks.
09
Marketing & PR
Launch campaigns, media outreach, podcast booking, and long-arc publicity strategy that carry the book past launch week.
10
Content & Film
Documentary-grade long-form film, short-form cutdowns for social, photography, and written content that turn the book into an always-on platform.

Beyond the Book

Content is king.
Your book is the crown.

The book is the source material. Around it we build a content engine—a documentary-style film on you, your business, and your legacy, cut down into short-form video for social, plus photography, blogs, articles, and website copy. Our crew travels to you for on-site interviews, or you can film at our studio in West Palm Beach, Florida. One production, a year of assets.

Documentary & Long-Form Film

A cinematic film about you, your business, and your legacy. Our crew comes to you for on-site interviews, or you can film at our studio in West Palm Beach, Florida. The definitive long-form asset your brand has never had.

Short-Form & Social

Every shoot is cut into dozens of short-form pieces built for LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok—so the story keeps working every week, not just at launch.

Written, Photo & Design

Articles, newsletters, keynote decks, editorial photography, and graphic design—drawn from the same material as the book, so everything speaks with one voice.

What It Unlocks

A book and its content compound for years.

Generate speaking opportunities

Establish credibility and industry authority

Strengthen a personal brand

Support business development

Preserve knowledge and build a lasting legacy

Support media, consulting, advisory, and investment opportunities

Talk Content Strategy

Featured Author

The Steady Leader

By Schuyler Williamson

Leadership is rarely tested in calm seas. The Steady Leader introduces practical leadership models that cut through chaos and give executives, founders, and operators the clarity to make sound decisions under pressure. The result is a book that earns a permanent place on the desk of anyone who actually leads.

Discuss Your Book

Founders & Executives

Built for leaders with
something to say.

For Founders

Turn experience into an enduring business asset.

Package the hard-won judgment behind your company into a book that investors, prospective clients, hires, and partners will reach for. It is a business development tool with a long shelf life.

For Executives

Become a recognized voice in your industry.

A well-made book puts your thinking in front of the people who decide who gets hired, invited, and quoted. It travels into rooms you are not in yet and speaks for you when you are not there.

For Entrepreneurs & Experts

Build credibility, trust, and long-term influence.

Compound your reputation with a permanent asset that travels further than any post, podcast, or keynote.

The Process

From Idea to Authority

Six deliberate phases managed end to end by an expert publishing team.

01
Discovery & Strategy
Understand your goals, audience, and expertise, then define the concept, positioning, structure, and publishing plan.
02
Manuscript Development
Develop the book through ghostwriting or author coaching, depending on how you want to write it.
03
Editing
Developmental, line, and/or copy editing plus proofreading to ensure quality while preserving your voice and brand.
04
Design & Layout
Custom cover design, premium interior layout, and e-book and audiobook production.
05
Publishing
Professional offset print run or print on demand publishing and global distribution to all major retailers.
06
Content & Authority Growth
Turn the book into film, short-form video, and written content that drive visibility, media, speaking, and long-term brand growth.

01
Discovery & Strategy
Understand your goals, audience, and expertise, then define the concept, positioning, structure, and publishing plan.
02
Manuscript Development
Develop the book through ghostwriting or author coaching, depending on how you want to write it.
03
Editing
Developmental, line, and/or copy editing plus proofreading to ensure quality while preserving your voice and brand.
04
Design & Layout
Custom cover design, premium interior layout, and e-book and audiobook production.
05
Publishing
Professional offset print run or print on demand publishing and global distribution to all major retailers.
06
Content & Authority Growth
Turn the book into film, short-form video, and written content that drive visibility, media, speaking, and long-term brand growth.

The Next Move

Your Book Is More
Than a Book—
It's Your Authority

The right book redefines your authority, amplifies your message, and creates opportunities for years to come. Tell us what you're building and we'll tell you honestly whether Ballast Edge is the right partner.

A 30-minute call with a publisher, not a salesperson
Honest read on your concept, market, and timeline
Program and investment guidance before you commit

Or Take The Publishing Quiz

The best of both worlds,without the trade-offs.

Three tailored pathways.One quality manuscript.

Foundation

Authority

Legacy

Content Program

Extend any program with a physical print run, audiobook, or targeted marketing campaign.

Offset Print Run

Audiobook

Marketing Campaign

The people behind every book

Lauren Green

Kimberley Grastly

David Vasquez

Kayleigh Rucinski

Journey Mathewson

Emma Sherk

Fabiana Beuses

Sunny Urben

Zoe Spangler

Lily Hartman

Alexa Davis

Sarah De Vos

Matthew Edwards

Raegyn Oliver

Mirko Pohle

Kent Lutt

We build great books the way great companies build brands.

Ghostwriting

Author Coaching

Manuscript Evaluation

Editing

Cover Design

Interior Layout

Additional Formats

Publishing & Distribution

Marketing & PR

Content & Film

Content is king.Your book is the crown.

Documentary & Long-Form Film

Short-Form & Social

Written, Photo & Design

A book and its content compound for years.

Generate speaking opportunities

Establish credibility and industry authority

Strengthen a personal brand

Support business development

Preserve knowledge and build a lasting legacy

Support media, consulting, advisory, and investment opportunities

The Steady Leader

Built for leaders withsomething to say.

Turn experience into an enduring business asset.

Become a recognized voice in your industry.

Build credibility, trust, and long-term influence.

From Idea to Authority

Discovery & Strategy

Manuscript Development

Editing

Design & Layout

Publishing

Content & Authority Growth

Discovery & Strategy

Manuscript Development

Editing

Design & Layout

Publishing

Content & Authority Growth

Your Book Is MoreThan a Book—It's Your Authority

Request a publishing consultation

The best of both worlds,
without the trade-offs.

Three tailored pathways.
One quality manuscript.

Content is king.
Your book is the crown.

Built for leaders with
something to say.

Your Book Is More
Than a Book—
It's Your Authority