Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1)  Why does BelleBooks need an imprint?  Why not just publish all the books through BelleBooks?

Bell Bridge Books allows us to expand our Southern “brand” of books without confusing the core readers and industry professionals, who have come to see BelleBooks’ titles as quintessentially Southern and generally “wholesome.”

2)  Do you pay an advance?

Yes.  (An advance is a sum of money paid at the time a book is acquired by the publisher.  The money is an “advance” against the future royalties.)  Our advance is small, but royalties and all other contract terms are in line with industry standards.  We acquire world print, electronic, audio and a variety of other subrights.

3)  Can bookstores order your books?  Will I be able to do booksignings?

Any bookstore can order our books from either of the two largest wholesalers in the country (Ingram Book and Baker & Taylor) or directly from our warehouse.  Booksignings are no different than booksignings of books from NY publishers.  Our books are available for sale on Amazon, BN.com, and directly to the consumer from our website.

4)  Are your books print on demand?

It depends.  Just like New York publishers, BelleBooks/Bell Bridge Books chooses a printing method that suits the demand for a title.  We utilize both traditional offset print runs and print-on-demand technology.  Books published with Bell Bridge Books are generally from new voices in the publishing world with less demand than the established authors we publish in BelleBooks.  This means that Bell Bridge Books titles are more likely to be print-on-demand titles, but regardless of the printing method, BelleBooks/Bell Bridge Books maintains book stock for all titles in their warehouse.

You’ve probably bought many Print-on-demand or POD titles and never known.  Large New York publishers have been using POD for backlist (older) titles with less demand for years.  Stacking books in warehouses makes no logical sense.  POD is a green alternative to pulping unwanted paperbacks and waste from over-printing.  With POD, publishers can keep your title viable and avoid the dreaded “out of print” designation.

5)  Do you publish the electronic book first?  And are there any sales requirements before putting a book into a print version?

All our books are published in print and ebook versions simultaneously.  Most books will be released in audio versions at later dates.

6)  Will I have to do revisions?  Will my book be copyedited?

Usually.  And yes.  You will be heartily sick of looking at your book by the time it finally comes out.  The cycle is revisions, line/copy edits, and finally the galley before the book goes to print.

7)  Do I have to query first? And what do you want to see?

Yes, query first.  BelleBooks@BelleBooks.com

In the body of your email give us a brief synopsis and your credentials, if any.  Attach a detailed synopsis and first three (3) chapters of your book to the email.

8)  How long will it be before I hear a response on my query?

We used to be fast with queries.  Those days are gone.  Most queries are answered within one to three months.

9)  How long before my book will be published?

BelleBooks generally works well in advance of publication-- usually a year or more from the purchase of a title to publication.  Bell Bridge will move titles through the system a little more quickly.

10)  How do you promote your titles?

Click here for our promotional information.

11)  Do you assign an ISBN and file for copyright in the author’s name?

Yes.

12)  Do you consider previously published books?

If you are an author with a national track record with large publishers, we’re happy to talk about publishing books on which the rights have reverted to you.