I am also with WAMM. My book was accepted, I received a contract that was absolutely on the up-and-up, the royalties are fantastic. I have never paid them a dime. they thoroughly edited my book. I was very active in that process, where if they requested a change, and I had reservations about it, we would discuss it. they never changed my words, rather they made ME change them, but only when I agreed with the request. We went through three rounds of edits before galleys.
They asked for input on the cover. I worked with someone on it to show them what I had in mind. However, if I had chosen not to have input because I am not a cover designer, they would do that 100%. It's an OPTION to have that level of input.
After we went through galleys, they formatted the book for POD print, Kindle, and several other e-pub formats (Nook, and others) and got the books.
I get quarterly royalties. The books sell at their site store, and many other places on the net. I wanted to do book signings so ordered books through my publisher at a very deep discount and will take them places to do signings. I certainly am never required to purchase anything - I did because I wanted to.
they market the hell out of their titles, and continue to grow, adding new authors on a regular basis and working their butts off for high-quality products. They do not overload themselves with too many books, they take time and care with everything they do.
Yes they are small. And most people here at AW will tell you to wait 2 years before doing anything with a small publisher. You can certainly stick to that rule. all I can tell you is that I completely trusted them with my book, I believe they did an amazing job with it, and I am incredibly happy with the results. I would absolutely use them again.
eta: also, they do not just accept anything/everything. They do reject work, they ask for revise and resubs, in some cases they've seen a lot of promise in a manuscript and worked with the author on the revise prior to making an offer.
