A Hand To Hold
A Hand To Hold is a community-driven initiative by Ink Gladiators Press SHIP (IGPS). What began as a dream in August 2019 has become a realistic center that supports independent authors, freelancers, and creative collaborators through an evolving, one-to-one mentorship model.
As we continue to grow, our foundational model has inspired several distinct, standalone initiatives at IGP SHIP. We list them under paced out travels with us on The Horizon and the Wild Boat of risk-worthy adventures for the trailblazers who like doing things their way.
While some initiatives intertwine, others move in directions with us or away from us.
The Submissions Program
Our sponsored support tailored for serious authors.
The Freelancer Directory
A registry to discover and commission vetted creative experts.
Camp Hatch
Empowering independent creators with self-guided DIY tools.
Author-Owned Books
Curated shelves featuring independent titles managed by authors.
The Bridge Program
Licensing structures designed for streamlined bulk ordering.
Other Places to Submit
Open submission portals across the press ecosystem.
The Submissions Program
Our structured umbrella network for authors looking to pitch their work, access premium support, or enter specialized plans.
- We've Got You: 24-hr free submission window.
- The Stargazing Voyage: Paid annual membership tier.
- Pages Are The Path: Flat-rate editorial packages.
- Sail By Moonlight: Flat-rate cover design.
The Freelancer Directory
Invites skilled writers, artists, and creatives to support fellow self-publishers where one-to-one isn't possible.
- Independence: Curated Freelancers manage their own rates and timelines.
- Boundaries: Hosted strictly for visibility; IGP does not mediate agreements.
- Applications: Reviewed during updates; allow up to three months.
Camp Hatch
Specifically created for independent authors who prefer a complete Do-It-Yourself approach.
- Resources: Dedicated directory of free/paid tools, workshops, and courses.
- Publications: Books, free tips, and treasures at The Evergreen Vault.
- Tutorials: Curated step-by-step DIY video guides.
Author Bookshelves
Solo-authored books successfully built on our foundational model, permanently housed under four Author-Owned collections at The IGP Library:
The Bridge Program
Books are entirely yours upon delivery with complete freedom to read, sell, or gift away under three distinct licenses:
- The Celestial Licence: 100+ copies of a single book (International).
- The Eclipse Licence: 150+ mixed copies across titles (International).
- The Forest Licence: 125+ copies of a single book (Domestic).
Other Places To Submit
Beyond our core programs, we routinely host dynamic community gateways including interviews, collaboratives, and anthologies.
- Terms: Openings announced exclusively when slots become available.
- Pricing: Varies by project scope (some free, some paid).
- Policy: Unsolicited entries outside active windows are not accepted.