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How the Collaborative Publishing Partnership Works
The Community Historian Society operates through a curated, collaborative publishing partnership led by Trace Thy Roots.
Participation is not based on open submissions or unsolicited manuscripts. Instead, contributors—known as Root Keepers—are identified and invited based on demonstrated historical research shared publicly, particularly work involving historical newspapers, records, and documented sources.
Root Keepers are not expected to arrive with completed projects. Once selected, they work in collaboration with the trained genealogist and publisher to organize, compile, and prepare historical materials for professional publication. Research efforts are guided by clearly defined project scopes to ensure focus, accuracy, and completion.
This partnership model allows Trace Thy Roots to:
maintain consistent archival standards
protect the integrity of the historical record
ensure alignment with the mission of preserving Native Black American history
At the same time, it allows Root Keepers to contribute meaningfully to published archives without bearing publishing costs or navigating the process alone.
The result is a structured collaboration where documented history is preserved with care, clarity, and purpose.
Become a Root Keeper
Root Keepers are selected members of the Community Historian Society who assist the trained genealogist and publisher in organizing, compiling, and preparing historical newspapers, documents, and records for publication as hardcover and paperback archives.
Root Keepers focus on documentation, structure, and preservation. Their work supports the transformation of scattered historical materials into permanent, published records.
To be considered for inclusion as a Root Keeper, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Verified lineage as a Native Black American
Active public presence on at least one social media platform
A demonstrated history of sharing or discussing documented historical content
Ability to research historical newspapers, public records, and archival materials
Willingness to collaborate with a trained genealogist and publisher
Ability to follow publisher direction after training
Ability to complete assigned projects in a timely manner
Commitment to accuracy, documentation, and responsible historical handling
Respect for the mission and standards of the Community Historian Society
Root Keepers are not required to:
have academic credentials
submit completed manuscripts
pay publishing fees
Selection is based on demonstrated work, consistency, and alignment, not popularity or follower count.
(YOU) ROOTS KEEPER🌱RESPONSIBILITIES
(Roots Keeper / Contributor)
Authors selected for the program agree to:
Conduct historical research primarily using historical newspapers and verifiable public records
Focus on documentation-based findings, not opinion or modern commentary
Organize collected materials according to project guidelines provided by Trace Thy Roots
Submit accurate citations and source details for all materials used
Meet agreed-upon timelines and communicate progress when requested
Promote and sell (optional) the published work through their own platforms once released
Represent the work responsibly and in alignment with the mission of historical preservation
Authors are not required to pay publishing fees or bring completed manuscripts at the start of the program.
(US) TRACE THY ROOTS 🌱RESPONSIBILITIES
(Publisher & Program Steward)
Trace Thy Roots agrees to:
Waive the standard publishing fee for selected Community Historian Roots Keepers
Provide project direction, structure, and research focus
Handle editorial review, organization, and formatting
Manage book layout, cover design, and publication readiness
Assign ISBNs and publish under the Trace Thy Roots imprint
Coordinate distribution to platforms such as Lulu and Amazon
Ensure consistency, accuracy, and archival standards across all projects
Preserve the published work as part of the Trace Thy Roots historical archive
Trace Thy Roots retains final editorial authority to protect the integrity of the archive and the mission of the program.
Breakdown of Waived ✍🏾 Publishing Fees
The publishing fee is waived to remove financial barriers that often prevent community historians from bringing documented history into permanent form. This model allows Trace Thy Roots to invest directly in preservation while maintaining professional publishing standards.
Publishing a historical project professionally typically costs between $1,500 and $3,000. Through the Community Historian Society, Trace Thy Roots waives this publishing fee for selected team members as part of its commitment to preserving Native Black American history.
This program is designed as a collaborative publishing partnership, with clearly defined roles for both the Author and Trace Thy Roots.
This program is not about access to publishing.
It is about responsibility to the record.
Most indie publishers would:
charge this upfront per project
require partial payment even for collaborators
still not include LOC registration or long-term brand support
We are:
waiving the fee entirely
absorbing real labor costs
offering professional distribution
preserving culturally specific history
That’s not symbolic — it’s tangible value.
Realistic Cost Breakdown (200–250 pages)
1. Editorial & Content Preparation
(structuring, organizing historical material, light editing, consistency)
$500–$1,200
For historical compilations, this is not simple proofreading — it’s organization and coherence work.
2. Interior Formatting & Layout
(print-ready for hardcover + paperback)
$300–$800
Long books with:
figures
captions
consistent headings
archival spacing
always cost more than novels.
3. Cover Design (Front, Back, Spine)
(custom, print-ready, brand-aligned)
$300–$700
Especially when matching a series aesthetic like yours.
4. ISBNs, Metadata & Distribution Setup
(Amazon, Lulu, extended distribution prep)
$125–$300
Even when platforms are “free,” professional setup is not.
5. Project Management & Publishing Oversight
(coordination, revisions, uploads, approvals)
$300–$600
This is the invisible labor most people forget.
📚 Publishing Model & Authorship Credit
Contributors accepted into the program are credited as:
Author / Compiler/Root Keeper
This credit appears:
on the book cover (when appropriate)
on the title page
within the publication metadata
All books are published under the Griot Publishing House imprint to ensure consistency, credibility, and long-term archival preservation.
This credit appears within the published book and associated metadata, acknowledging the Author’s role in gathering and organizing the historical record.
Steps to Getting Started
Trace Thy Roots actively reviews:
social media platforms
historical content shared publicly
consistency in research-based posting
focus on documented history (especially historical newspapers)
Potential contributors are evaluated based on demonstrated work, not promises.
Selected individuals must verify lineage as an Indigenous Black American.
This step is non-negotiable and exists to protect the integrity of the historical record being preserved.
Qualified individuals receive a direct invitation to join the Community Historian Society.
Once accepted:
contributors are assigned or aligned with a specific historical theme, location, or research focus
expectations and scope are clearly defined by Trace Thy Roots
Community Historians conduct research primarily focused on:
historical newspapers
archival documentation
verifiable public records
Trace Thy Roots provides:
structure
organization standards
editorial direction
This is a collaborative research effort guided by the publisher.
Completed projects are:
✔ professionally structured and published by Trace Thy Roots
✔ credited to the contributor as Author / Compiler
✔ added to the Trace Thy Roots historical archive
What would you like to do next?
LET'S AGREE
We are transparent. To keep all parties on the same page, make sure you check out our Terms and Agreement page before you apply.
READY TO JOIN?
Ready to join our Team? Make sure you check out the Terms and Agreement before applying.
OVERVIEW
Return to the main page for summary of the Partnership Program.
