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Submission FAQs
Submission FAQs
Submission Process
Advances and Royalties
Author Fees and Costs
Author Copies
Book Design
Book Availability, Promotion, and Advertisement
Book Price
Submission Process
Q: How long is the review process after I submit a manuscript to Mundania Press?
Due to fluctuations in submissions, time lines for review could vary. You should receive a response from us within two to three months, but it could be longer, depending on the volume of submissions received. After two months, you are invited to send us a follow-up email, inquiring about the status of your manuscript's review. Each submission will receive an email notification about whether the manuscript was accepted or not. Please be sure that we have your up-to-date email address and that your email program, or your ISP, does not block our emails. (You may have to mark Mundania.com as a "friend" in your email program and with your ISP.)
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Q: What is the submission review process?
A: Once we receive your submission, it will enter our review process. Your manuscript is distributed to one of our editors for an initial review. This consists of reading the first three to five chapters to get a feel for how well your book is written, how much talent you exhibit, whether the book has potential, how polished your novel is, are there point-of-view violations, active rather than passive voice, does it have a strong story hook, does it have an interesting opening, would it be a good fit for our catalog, and many other factors. Other sections, such as the middle and end of the book may also be reviewed.
If there is sufficient interest in your manuscript after the initial review, another editor will do a full read and make a recommendation to the Senior Editor.
If your manuscript is accepted, we will contact you to discuss your plans for promoting yourself and your book, and offer a contract. If you accept the contract, we will need additional personal information and a publicity photo, and then we'll start the publication process.
If your manuscript is not accepted for publication, you will receive an email notification. There are many factors that could result in a manuscript being rejected. There could be significant problems with your writing and/or your story. There may be no excitement or hook to make your story entertaining. It could also be that we are simply not interested in your story or it may not be a good fit for our catalog. We do not provide feedback or criticisms for submissions that we do not accept for publication. We recommend you work with a critique group or writer's organization to receive feedback on your novel.
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Q: Will I receive any feedback or critique information?
A: Our policy is to not comment on non-contracted works. No feedback or critique information will be given for a rejection. You will only receive a notice that we are not interested in your manuscript.
If you feel you need feedback or a critique of your novel, you should consider joining one of the many critique groups found online or hiring a reputable editor or book doctor. We cannot recommend or refer any group, editor, or book doctor to you.
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Advances and Royalties
Q: Does Mundania Press pay an advance to authors?
A: Mundania Press does not pay advances against royalties. We do pay monthly royalties on all sales in accordance with our sample publishing contract.
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Q: What royalties does Mundania Press pay?
A: Royalties are paid on every sale. Royalty amounts can vary depending on the format of the book and whether it is sold directly from our website or through a wholesaler. Royalties are paid on a monthly basis, in accordance with our sample publishing contract. As a general rule, we pay 15% royalties on the cover price for print editions that are purchased at full cover price from our website, and 50% royalties on the cover price for electronic editions that are purchased at full cover price from our website. We pay 15% royalties on the net amount received for print editions that are purchased from our website while on sale or from a wholesaler/reseller after dealer discounts and print costs. We pay 50% royalties on the net amount received for electronic editions that are purchased from our website while on sale or from a wholesaler/reseller after dealer discounts.
The royalty amount is generally the percentage of the actual dollar amount of money that Mundania Press receives. If the book is wholesaled, or sold at a discount, whatever amount is actually received will be used to calculate the author's royalty. No extra fees or cost of sales, beyond the print costs, are ever taken out. Royalties are paid on the entire amount paid to us for a sale, when it is paid to us.
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Q: When are royalties paid?
A: Royalties are paid on a monthly basis in accordance with our sample publishing contract. This payment is sent at the end of the month following the sale month. For example, March sales are paid at the end of April.
Books are not considered sold, and royalties will not be paid, until payment is actually received by Mundania Press. For example, Ingram wholesalers pay for books they sell 120 days after the end of the month in which the books were sold. This means that if a book was sold in January, Ingram would pay Mundania Press for that book in April. Consequently, the author would receive no royalty payment on a book sold in January until their April royalty payment date. The reason for the delay is to allow time for returns to booksellers. Royalties are not advanced, but paid when money is received from resellers or customers.
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Q: Do I receive a royalty statement?
A: Royalty Statements detailing the sales of your books are posted and available at the end of the month following the sale month. For example, March statements are posted at the end of April. Statements are posted online and assessable anytime.
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Author Fees and Costs
Q: Do I have to pay for set up fees for getting my book published?
A: No.
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Q: Do I have to pay for editing fees?
A: No.
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Q: Do I have to pay for the cover artwork?
A: No.
Authors do have the option of contracting with an outside artist to provide artwork, at the author's expense. The artwork submitted must be approved and have all the legal permissions from the artist.
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Q: Am I required to buy any copies of my book?
A: No.
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Author Copies
Q: How many free author copies will I receive?
A: Authors receive free copies of their books, in accordance with their publishing contract.
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Q: Can I buy more copies of my book? What is my author's discount?
A: Optionally, authors may purchase any quantities of their books for a standard author discount in accordance with their publishing contract. Royalties will not be paid on any books sold to the author at the author's discount. The Author pays exact shipping charges. Authors are never required to purchase additional books.
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Book Design
Q: Does my book have to be edited?
A: Yes, your book will be edited. We look for things like misspelled or improper words, bad grammar, point of view violations, continuity errors, voice problems, and other issues. The editor will coordinate with the author on all changes. We do not re-write or change the "voice" of our authors. We want to present the most polished books possible.
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Q: What will my book's layout look like?
A: We use several standard layouts. The best way to find out is to purchase a Mundania book.
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Q: Who designs my cover?
A: We will work with you during cover design. A cover questionnaire is available that gets your ideas on what you want on your cover. If you have ideas or graphics you want included, please let us know. We have a pool of talented cover artists that create our unique covers.
An author also has the option of commissioning and paying for an outside artist to do their cover artwork. Outside artwork must be approved by Mundania and the author must obtain all the appropriate licensing rights.
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Book Availability, Promotion, and Advertisement
Q: Where will my book be available?
A: We register your book with Books-in-Print and the Library of Congress.
All of Mundania Press titles are available through Ingram's US distribution, Ingram's UK distribution, Ingram's European Union distribution, and Baker & Taylor in the US.
All of the online booksellers, such as Amazon.com, Borders.com, B&N.com, Alibris.com, BooksAMillion.com and many more purchase copies for resale through Ingram's or Baker and Taylor.
Our books are fully returnable, so they automatically qualify for ordering by any of the thousands of brick-and-mortar bookstores. These stores may order books directly from Mundania Press or from Ingram or Baker && Taylor
Readers can also purchase your book directly through the Mundania Press website. We reserve the right to offer discounts on any of our titles sold through our website.
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Q: Will my book be available on Amazon.com and B&N.com?
A: Both Amazon.com and B&N.com stock Mundania Press titles. We make the book available through Ingram and Baker & Taylor, the two largest wholesalers in the United States, so it will be easy for bookstores to order your book.
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Q: Will my book be placed on bookstore shelves?
A: Due to limited shelf space in bookstores, It is not possible to guarantee placement of any books on bookstore shelves. Any bookstores are able to order books for stocking directly from Mundania Press, through Baker & Taylor, and through Ingram's US, UK, and European Union catalogs. Books are fully returnable so they fit the criteria needed for ordering.
Borders is now stocking select titles from our erotica line, Phaze Books
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Q: How many copies does the average Mundania Press book sell?
A: How well your book sells many times is entirely up to you. Mundania Press will advertise on our website, send your book for reviews, and we purchase advertising for your novel in Ingram's book catalogs that go to over 20,000 bookstores and libraries nationwide and in Canada. We also purchase monthly advertising in RT Bookclub Magazine.
We may also market your book in other avenues of sales opportunities. You, the author, can do much to promote your book too. Become visible, tell everyone about your book, talk on the radio, organize book signings, send copies for review, or let us know about review sites—whatever promotion you can do will help with your book sales. People won't buy your book if they don't know you or it exists. The author should definitely have a web site promoting his/her books.
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Q: Will I be expected to promote and advertise my book?
A: Yes, you will be expected to actively promote your book (see above).
This is your book, and no one knows it better than you do; no one knows the best places to directly market the book better than you. Mundania Press makes a commitment to our authors to work with them and help promote their books. This includes aggressive Internet promotion, mentoring new authors in marketing their books, advice from our marketing specialist and review of planned promotions, as well as exposure through other media. You, as the author, have a lot to do with the promotion of your book.
Once your book is published, you need to blow your own horn. Tell everyone you know. Don't be shy ... spread the word. The more people that know about your book, and read your book, the more friends they will tell about it if they like it. Get the word out!
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Q: Can libraries order my book?
A: Libraries may order your book directly from Mundania Press and receive the bookseller discount by contacting
or by calling 1-513-490-2822. Libraries may also order your book through Ingram's Book Catalog for Libraries and Baker & Taylor.
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Release Dates and Cover Pricing
Q: How much is the retail price of my book?
A: Mundania Press will set the retail price of your trade-sized paperback and/or dustjacketed hardcover to be competitive with other books in your genre, and the price is dependent on the book size, page count, binding, and story content.
We go by a strict formula designed to make the book as least expensive as possible, while maintaining a proper amount to cover printing, distribution, wholesale discounts, royalties paid, and profit.
eBooks generally retail for about $6.00.
If you have a large-print book, or a signed limited edition, the retail prices could vary greatly.
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Q: Who sets the price for my book?
A: Mundania Press sets the price for your book. It is directly related to the cost of production, size of the book, number of pages, binding, and the general market pricing for books and eBooks. We go by a strict formula.
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