Winding Hall Publishers is a small press publisher with an ever-expanding number of imprints for every reader's taste. We help new authors become published authors and provide seasoned editors to help authors' work be the best it can be.
Winding Hall Publishers is a small press publisher with an ever-expanding number of imprints for every reader's taste. We help new authors become published authors and provide seasoned editors to help authors' work be the best it can be.
1. Can I submit my own book cover? — Yes, you can provide your own original artwork. You will need to sign a release form, which we will provide to you. It is not always possible to achieve the necessary format or clarity from a submitted photo or illustration, but if we can make it work, we will. If not, we will create a cover based as closely as possible on your picture.
2. Can you use photos that I provide in my book? — Yes, however, we can only publish photos for which we have signed releases on file from: 1) The photographer who took the photo; and 2) Each person whose likeness appears in the photo. We can provide photo release forms to you, but you will need to be responsible for obtaining the signatures. We cannot publish the photos in your book without the signed release forms.
3. At what price will you set my book? — We price books based on several factors, including number of pages, format, and genre. The price will be one that works well from both a marketing perspective and a royalties calculation standpoint. Pricing is one of the last steps in the publishing process.
4. Can I set the price of my book myself? — You are welcome to suggest a price, but we may have to choose one we feel will work better. We cannot publish a book whose price is set too low; the royalty calculation for the book cannot be less than zero. Likewise, too high a price will make the book unsellable. The eBook price for your book is separate and often different from the paperback price, and must be set within a fairly narrow range in order to achieve the best royalty rate. See “How are royalties calculated?” for more information about how the price of your book affects royalty payments.
5. How are royalties calculated? — Royalties are based on the net proceeds from sale of the book, after all printing/distribution-related costs are deducted. The amount of net proceeds depends on several factors, including but not limited to: ink color, paper type and page count (for printed books), USA or international sales, and book format (paperback or eBook). Our authors receive 80% of the net profit after these costs are deducted. We use a third-party print-on-demand service which controls the printing/distribution costs. Therefore, we cannot tell you before publication how much your royalty payments will be.
That being said, the following will serve as an example only: As of January 1, 2020, a $10.00 book with 150 pages would pay about $2.68 in royalties to the author for a paperback USA sale on Amazon and about $1.08 for expanded distribution sales (other online retailers, libraries, and academic institutions.)
Royalties are paid twice a year, typically in March and September. We will pay royalties to the name and address specified by you. This can be you or someone you designate to receive the royalties.
6. Do I have to buy a certain number of books? Do you have a minimum print run? — No, you are not required to buy any copies of your book. Print-on-demand technology eliminates the need for minimum print runs. You will receive one free copy of your book.
7. What if my book is already copyrighted? — To protect your book we will submit a new copyright in your name prior to publication. Even minor changes to your original manuscript can affect previous copyrights. You keep all copyright ownership to your work, while the cost to register your work with the copyright office is covered by Word Out Books as part of the Publishing Service fee.
8. Can my book have illustrations that I provide? — Yes. You will need to submit them in a clear format so they scan properly. For best results, drawings or artwork should be on white, unlined paper no larger than 8 ½ x 11 inches in size with at least a ½ inch border (a full 1 inch border is even better). We will work with your art to provide the best quality possible, although we will not be able to re-draw artwork if there are problems (see “Will you do illustrations for my book?”). We will need a signed release from the artist, even if the artist is you. We will provide the release form.
9. Will you do illustrations for my book? — No, at this time we do not provide illustration services or interior photographs.
10. Can I write my own synopsis for the back of the book? — Yes, you can. Or you can leave the back cover synopsis to us, whichever you prefer. We may edit your synopsis for maximum effect.
11. Can you tell me more about distribution? — Your book will be available for sale on Amazon, through our website, and other outlets through expanded distribution (other online retailers).
12. How will my book be marketed? — Word Out Books has limited marketing. Our focus is on helping incarcerated authors get published. When publishing your book, we use keywords to help ensure your book can be found by people most likely to be interested in your genre. Your book will also be available on our website. Commercial book marketing is expensive. The cost to market a book can easily exceed the publishing cost, with no guarantee of increased sales. So at Word Out Books we have chosen to keep costs down by limiting our work to professional publishing services.
For more information about marketing, see “Can I market my own book?” and “I know my book will be a bestseller. How can I make it happen?”
13. Can I market my own book? — Yes, we encourage it. You can ask your friends and family to use social media to let people know you about your new book. You can explore inexpensive online suggestions for marketing your book. You can consider other types of marketing services.* You can also order author copies of your book from Word Out Books. Author copies are significantly discounted (and do NOT pay out royalties). Author copies are yours to do with as you wish. You can give them away or sell them at retail price (or any price point you wish).
*Word Out Books is not associated with any third party commercial book marketing companies and makes no recommendations regarding commercial marketing.
14. I know my book will be a bestseller. How can I make it happen? — We would love to see your book become a bestseller, but it’s time for some straight talk. Estimates suggest that over one million new books are published every year in the US alone. Most of these books have few sales, and they rarely recoup the cost of publishing. Your motivation for publishing with Word Out Books should not be based on the expectation of making money, but instead should be driven by your desire to get your word out to the public, to give others the opportunity to hear what you have to say. Your book might be a financial success, and we hope it is, but we also want to keep your expectations realistic.
15. What are the terms of your payment plans? — Our payment plans are quite flexible, as we realize that our clients have to deal with a variety of restrictions. We do not have a set minimum payment and you do not have to pay the same amount every month (or whatever schedule works best for you). We will begin the publication process once your costs have been paid in full, so the more you can pay on a regular basis, the sooner your book will appear in print.
16. How long before I see my book in print? — Currently, it takes six to twelve months after payment is complete to see your book in print. The publication process time varies, depending upon such factors as total length of book, whether the manuscript is hand written or typed, and how many other manuscripts we are currently working with. We are a small publishing firm, but we work hard! Once the publication process begins, we will be working to get your book launched as expeditiously as possible.
17. Can I submit my manuscript by email? — Yes, provided you are able to use the CorrLinks system. We do not use other inmate email services at this time. You can also have an outside friend email us on your behalf. We must limit our email contacts to writers who are serious about publishing with us. Please establish contact with us through the US Mail before corresponding with us via email. Emailed manuscripts should be in text format such as Word or Pages documents rather than .pdf submissions.
18. What do you mean by, “Word Out Books does not publish books designed to allow a person convicted of a crime to profit directly from that crime”? — “Son of Sam” laws in many jurisdictions prevent persons convicted of a crime to profit from that crime. This rule typically does not apply to books about miscarriages of justice/wrongful convictions, nor to urban fiction that revolves around crime. We are happy to publish those types of books if they do not violate state or federal laws.
19. Do you publish poetry? — Yes! But it isn’t cost-effective to publish just one or two poems. (Unless, of course, they are very long poems!) You should submit a number of poems that can be published together in one book as a collection.
20. Can you be reached by phone? — No, but we are happy to answer your questions by mail. We believe that when communication is in writing, there is less likelihood of misunderstanding or miscommunication. It also provides a written record of the information transmitted, which is beneficial to both us and our authors.
21. Do I need to sign a publishing contract? — Word Out Books does not use a “contract” because some inmates are not allowed by their Department of Corrections rules to enter into contracts. Instead, we use the Word Out Books Services Request Form which is an order for services, similar to ordering a product.
22. How long do your exclusive publication rights last? — As is standard in the publishing industry, our exclusive publication rights are perpetual, that is, they do not expire. However, we want our client authors to be happy with our services. If at any time you wish to stop publication with Word Out Books you may request that we negotiate with you for a return of publication rights.
23. What if I want to pitch TV or movie rights to another company? — No problem! Word Out Books exclusive publication rights do not apply to TV or movie production. You are free to make your pitch to television or movie producers or production companies.
24. Will you buy my book outright for a percentage or publish my book for free if I let you keep most/all of the royalties? — No, the Word Out Books imprint is unable to publish your book without payment up front for our publishing services.
25. Will you self-publish my manuscript for me on CreateSpace/KDP for a reduced fee? — No, this is not a service that we offer.
26. Will you republish my book that I previously self-published? — Yes, we can republish books that have been previously published provided you hold the publications rights. Our usual publication fees apply.
27. Can you publish my book that’s in Spanish/another language? — No, at this time we can only publish works written in English.
28. Do you work with other authors besides prison inmates? — Definitely. Send us a copy of your manuscript for review and we will contact you about the services we can offer for your book.
29. Do you provide typing services or other services besides book publishing? — Word Out Books is focused on book publishing and does not provide other services at this time.