Thank you for your interest in publishing with us. Please review the following information and call for further information.
CATEGORIES AND CONTENT
We specialize in regional travel and reference, natural science, guidebooks, and outdoor adventure in the Southwest U.S. and Baja California. Our publishing program focuses on "Adventure in Cultural and Natural History of the Californias." A marketable non-fiction title generally includes photos and illustrations (e.g., maps, artwork, diagrams, tables), all with captions that enhance understanding of the text. Natural history and guidebooks require substantial map work.
A goal of our publishing program is to contribute to the body of knowledge about selected disciplines or topics (e.g., San Diego region, Baja California, introductory earth science). To this end, we highly encourage you to review Sunbelt-published books related to your topic and cite them as appropriate in your manuscript. We will loan you these books or you may purchase them for research purposes at 40% off retail prices.
QUANTITATIVE GUIDELINES
Our natural history titles generally have about 100 pages of main text with approximately 400 words per formatted page, not including front matter (e.g. table of contents, title page) or back matter (e.g. bibliography, index). A design guideline is to have a photo, illustration or chapter heading every three pages.
GENERAL OUTLINE (for natural history or guidebooks)
Foreword—by the publisher or a topical authority
Preface—to the book, its genesis, authorship and contributors, and niche.
Introduction—to the subject matter, geared to the target market
Text—including illustrations and photos with captions
a. Natural history chapters (e.g. biology)
b. Cultural history chapters (e.g. pioneers)
c. Outdoor recreation chapters (e.g. trail logs)
References—geared to the target market including related Sunbelt books.
Appendices—supplementary or technical material
Glossary— May also be integrated into index or as "sidebars."
Index—every occurrence of proper names, key words and concepts (author's responsibility after final page proof)
INITIAL PROPOSAL
This includes the table of contents, a sample chapter, a discussion of the target market for the title, the author’s qualifications, comments on complementary or competing titles currently on the market, and sample illustrations and/or photographs. Include comments on author’s commitment to promotion as noted below under "Teamwork".
TEAMWORK IN TITLE DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING
The appropriate and profitable relationship between author and publisher is "teamwork" whereby both contribute to the production and promotion process. Promotional opportunities include written review, bookstore signings, author lectures and field trips, media features and interviews (newspapers, magazines, radio and television), and brochure mailings to selected lists. Authors are expected to actively promote their book by following guidelines established for author signings and interviews, especially during the crucial 6 months after release. Authors are encouraged to write articles for publication that will stimulate interest in the sale of their book. Authors are also encouraged to suggest promotional ideas or events. It is only through an active partnership that we can guarantee a successful sell-through of your book.
MATERIALS RECEIVED FROM AUTHOR
Author supplies final text electronically together with identical hard copy. The preferred format for electronic files is Microsoft Word (courier font). Hard copy should be provided double-spaced, single sided, at 11 pt text. Author supplies camera-ready artwork, illustrations and photographs at or above minimum standards of the appropriate profession (e.g. cartography). Publisher may edit, title, price, and package the work to maximize its marketability, consistent with maintaining the essential content of the work. Author is fully responsible for the accuracy of information presented in the work.
RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS
Copyright is assigned to the publisher with exclusive permission to publish and distribute the work in all media and in all formats. Excerpts printed in other Sunbelt books, with full credit to the author, facilitate promotion of the original work. Author is responsible to procure and provide written permission for use of all non-owned material including photographs and illustrations and to pay for same if required.
Owners of such material are often willing to grant permission gratis if credit is given. There is generally no fee for material published by public entities although written permission is required for all but U.S. government agencies (e.g. USGS). Sunbelt-owned photo files and other materials are generally available at no cost but with full credit. Permission to reprint material from periodicals must generally be granted by original author.
PRICE AND ROYALTY
Retail price is determined by the cost of production, marketing and royalty plus the publisher’s best judgement of a title’s price point with respect to similar titles in the market. Royalty is a percentage of net sale receipts (less returns and promotional copies) and is paid semiannually with a statement of sales. Typical examples of a $12.95 retail book, from low to high margins are:
Low margin sale from publisher to wholesaler for resale to bookstores:
Retail price to consumer (100%) $12.95
Publisher price to wholesaler (45% of $12.95) $ 5.83
Royalty to author (10% of $5.83) $ .58
Medium margin sale to bookstores:
Retail price to consumer (100%) $12.95
Publisher price to bookstore (60% of $12.95) $ 7.77
Royalty to author (10% of $7.77) $ .78
High margin direct sale to consumer (e.g. direct mail campaign):
Retail price to consumer (100%) $12.95
Price to buyer (100%) $12.95
Royalty to author (10% of $12.95) $ 1.30
AUTHOR COPIES
Ten complimentary copes are provided to the author. The author may purchase additional copies at 60% OF or 40% OFF the retail price (same as for bookstores) plus sales tax. These copies may be resold in compliance with legal requirements and not-to-compete with Sunbelt bookseller customers . Additional copies are available to the author on consignment for lectures and other sales opportunities
PUBLISHING PROCESS
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Author submits proposal to publisher who may accept it finally or conditionally which may include a technical review process. Acquisition committee considers content, marketing, and financial aspects of proposal.
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Author signs memorandum of understanding (MOU), and/or publishing agreement.
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If conditional, author revises work until final acceptance by publisher including proofed manuscript and camera-ready supplementary materials (e.g. photos, illustrations, maps). Author changes are not accepted beyond this point.
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Publisher copyedits, designs, and typesets the work including interior, cover, and title. Author reviews copyedited version.
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Publisher develops and initiates marketing plan in collaboration with author.
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Galley proof (text and layout w/o illustrations) is shared with author for comments, time permitting.
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Page proof is produced including total interior and cover. Final total proofreading.
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Printer produces blue-line for publisher approval; delivers final bound product by ship date.
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Publisher commences distribution to booksellers.
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Official publication date is peak of launch marketing campaign.
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Commence on-going marketing process. Reprint if successful.
MARKETING MATERIALS
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Author will complete an "Author Questionnaire" once the contract is signed.
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Author will provide the publisher a photograph and a negative that can be used for promotional purposes.
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Author will follow "Book Signing Tips" and "Interview Tips" while promoting his book.
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Author provides a paragraph each, suitable for marketing purposes, "About the Author" and "About the Book."
