SUBMISSIONS AND QUERIES

I am looking for the following types of books for possible publication:

• Well-written cryptozoology texts that cover new topics or angles in the field, from a biological-folkloric perspective. They can be regionally focused or broader in scope, but should be light on speculation and heavy on new data or analysis. They also need to be longer than a pamphlet. (For some reason, I keep getting queried for 80-page books. That's a tough sell. I'm looking for 200+ pages, in most cases. 300 is better.) If you are an experienced cryptozoological investigator, with detailed witness files, interested in putting together a book, let me know. I can give you a better idea as to what I'm looking for. I want to publish books that are useful for all stages of cryptozoological research. (I can probably suggest a few areas for possible books, also, to seriously interested amateur investigators, depending on your location and interests.) [March 2022: I'll reiterate that the market right now is not great for cryptozoology books for new authors. Marketing is expensive and not very effective right now. You need a solid platform, so if you query me, please understand the basics of online community building.]
• Natural history subjects that don't get much attention. Actually, any natural history subject may be of interest, but I'm particularly looking for books on reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. I can do both black-and-white texts, or full color (which does require a higher retail price due to the higher print cost).
• I'm very interested in publishing books on herpetocultural subjects; I don't have time to write them myself right now. I would likely be interested in detailed husbandry guides for other animals.
• Practical how-to guides in other subject areas may be of interest... depends on what kind of market there is.
• I may be interested in other Fortean subjects, if they are biological, anthropological, geological, etc., in nature. Natural Mysteries, let's call them. No UFOs or ghosts, I'm not interested in the paranormal.

What I'm not looking for:

• Children's books. I have no way to distribute these to their primary audience.
• Fiction. While I would enjoy publishing well-written speculative fiction or mysteries, it is very difficult to get good online sales traction with new fiction. I don't do brick-and-mortar bookstore sales, and fiction requires a very strong author's marketing platform, which most authors are not prepared to set up and work on. If you have a strong marketing plan, I might consider it, but I'd have to be convinced it's worth the effort.
  

In some cases, a book may sell well through direct author marketing (sales at seminars, talks, etc.). If you are looking to supplement your speaking engagements, book sales may be a good additional revenue stream. Contact me to discuss this.

(We are moving from a "book-centric" culture to an "author-centric" culture. An author's platform, where you can dialogue with readers, build a fanbase, etc., is VERY important today. If you want to sell books, you must start building this even as you are writing the books.)

No, I don't offer advances. Royalties are usually about 25% of retail for black-and-white texts. Full color texts are more expensive to print, so royalties differ on those.

Yes, I have a contract. I'd rather not sign a contract with an author until the first draft of the text is ready for examination, as I need to set up a quick basic layout to estimate page count, in order to calculate royalties.

Authors are not charged "set up" or other fees. If I like the book, I will publish it at no cost to the author, and royalties begin with the very first book sale.

I don't sign non-disclosure agreements.

I am able to offer (with most titles) a discount so that authors can sell direct and make more per book.

I work with the author step-by-step (with author receiving pdf proofs) through internal page layout and cover design.

Authors are responsible for book images and must have all necessary copyright permissions. (Fair Use is never a good option for obviously copyright images, so don't rely on that.)

Cover design approval is ultimately the responsibility of the publisher, but I will work with the author; authors may hire outside graphic artists, but art must be submitted to publisher within required specs.

The author's job is not finished once the book is published. While the publisher will set up the initial marketing and distribution process (availability through Amazon and other online booksellers, marketing through publisher's website, etc.), it is the author's responsibility to continue marketing the book. I can give you ideas on this, depending on subject. (In today's online market, a solid author platform for direct connection with readers is absolutely necessary to create sales.)

It's better to query me when you actually have the first draft finished. Be prepared to make changes. I'm a publisher, not a printer.