Inkshares
Thinking about publishing with Inkshares? Here’s an independent, sourced look at whether it’s a legitimate hybrid publisher or one to avoid — measured against the IBPA hybrid-publisher criteria, the ALLi Watchdog, and Writer Beware, and last checked on 2026-06-09.
Key findings
- Proceed with caution — meets 9 of the 11 IBPA hybrid-publisher criteria.
- Author pays: No upfront author fees; author must build 750 pre-orders to reach publication threshold under the Inkshares imprint.
- Author keeps their rights.
- Distribution: trade distribution.
Our assessment
Inkshares, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Oakland, California, operates a crowdfunding-driven publishing model: authors pitch projects, readers pre-order, and Inkshares publishes once 750 pre-orders are reached. There are no upfront fees charged to authors, which clearly separates it from vanity presses.
Per its publicly posted publishing contract, authors retain copyright while Inkshares receives exclusive worldwide print and digital rights for 10 years under the Inkshares imprint, reverting to non-exclusive thereafter. Royalties are paid at 35% of net receivables (Inkshares imprint), with 70% to the author on foreign and serial licensing.
Distribution is handled through Ingram Publisher Services, providing genuine trade access to physical bookstores and major online retailers, though bookstore placement is not guaranteed and international distribution carries significant cost disadvantages reported by authors. Neither ALLi's Watchdog directory nor Writer Beware carries a listing or advisory for Inkshares as of June 2026, which neither clears nor flags the company.
The Quill imprint (launched 2015, requiring only 250 pre-orders with POD printing and limited Ingram sell-through) was discontinued in early 2018; Inkshares' imprints page preserves its 57-title backlist but Quill is no longer accepting new submissions. Concerns for authors include the 10-year exclusive rights term (longer than typical hybrid contracts), a unilateral termination clause favoring the publisher, marketing described contractually as at Inkshares' discretion, poor international distribution economics, and the real risk that authors invest significant promotional effort without a guarantee of publication.
The platform does not appear to have a BBB profile. Authors outside North America should investigate international distribution costs carefully before committing.
This is Glass Elevator’s assessment based on the sources listed below. Facts are attributed; opinions are the watchdogs’ own.
IBPA hybrid criteria
- Defines a clear mission & vision
- Vets submissions (is selective)
- Commits to truth & transparency
- Provides a negotiable, clear contract
- Publishes under its own imprint & ISBNs
- Publishes to industry standards
- Ensures editorial & design quality
- Manages a range of rights
- Provides real distribution
- Demonstrates respectable sales
- Pays higher-than-standard royalties
Watchdog ratings
- ALLi Watchdog
- Not rated
- Writer Beware
- Not listed
No listing or advisory found on Writer Beware as of June 2026.
Terms
- Typical cost
- No upfront author fees; author must build 750 pre-orders to reach publication threshold under the Inkshares imprint
- Royalty to author
- 35% of net receivables (Inkshares imprint); 50% of net receivables (Quill imprint, now closed to new titles); 70% of foreign licensing and serial rights revenues
- Author keeps rights
- Yes
- Distribution
- Trade distribution
- What you get
- Professional editing and design, minimum 1,000-copy offset print run, Ingram-based distribution to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and independent bookstores, marketing support at publisher's discretion, weekly royalty payments, and right to audit financial records annually. Bookstore placement through Ingram catalogue is available but not guaranteed — retailers are not obligated to stock titles.
- Website
- www.inkshares.com
Inkshares: frequently asked questions
Is Inkshares a legitimate hybrid publisher or a vanity press?
Glass Elevator's assessment is "Proceed with caution." Mixed signals — meets some criteria but not all, or has notable terms to weigh. Do your due diligence. It meets 9 of the 11 IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria.
How much does Inkshares cost?
No upfront author fees; author must build 750 pre-orders to reach publication threshold under the Inkshares imprint Always get the full, itemized price in writing before you commit.
What royalties does Inkshares pay authors?
35% of net receivables (Inkshares imprint); 50% of net receivables (Quill imprint, now closed to new titles); 70% of foreign licensing and serial rights revenues
Does Inkshares take your rights?
No — authors retain their rights. Still read the contract's rights and termination clauses before signing.
Should I publish with Inkshares?
That's your call, but here's the basis: Mixed signals — meets some criteria but not all, or has notable terms to weigh. Do your due diligence. Compare it against the IBPA checklist and watchdog ratings above, get every term in writing, and remember that traditional trade publishers pay authors rather than charging them.
Sources
- Inkshares Publishing Contract Terms (official site) (inkshares.com)
- Inkshares FAQ (official site) (inkshares.com)
- Inkshares Imprints page (official site) (inkshares.com)
- The Future of Quill (Inkshares blog, January 2018 — discontinuation announcement) (blog.inkshares.com)
- Inkshares Wikipedia entry (en.wikipedia.org)
- Jane Friedman — What You Need to Know About Crowdfunded Publishing (janefriedman.com)
- SelfPublishing.com Inkshares Review (selfpublishing.com)
- ALLi Watchdog Best and Worst Self-Publishing Services (Inkshares not listed) (selfpublishingadvice.org)
- Writer Beware Blog (no Inkshares listing found) (writerbeware.blog)
- Chris Picone — My Inkshares Experience (international distribution concerns) (cshpicone.com)
- Publishers Weekly — Inkshares Looks to Marry the Old with the New (publishersweekly.com)