Frequently Asked Questions
Publishing with Boyle & Dalton

What kinds of books do you publish?

We publish fiction (across genres), narrative/creative non-fiction, memoirs, and poetry. We will certainly consider non-fiction of other types, but we’re looking for compelling reading, not academic materials.

We don’t publish children’s books, but we will consider YA and middle-grade chapter books. We do not publish erotica.

If you have work of another type, or you aren’t sure if your book fits our catalog, we encourage you to reach out and ask. 

Start the submission process here.

How does Boyle & Dalton select books?

Traditional publishers ask one question when they evaluate a book: “Can we make money with this?”

At Boyle & Dalton, your investment helps to mitigate the financial risk of taking on a new title. So we ask a different question: “Does this book represent the values and quality of Boyle and Dalton?” We often become a home for exceptional books that don’t quite fit the traditional publishing mold in the current moment. There’s a beautiful freedom in being able to publish books based on quality, not on trend, and this has given us the opportunity to work with incredibly talented authors over the past decade. If your manuscript has the potential to be a book that we can proudly stand behind, we’re willing to apply all the expertise, knowledge, and guidance we have alongside your investment. 

How long does the selection process take?

We do our best to make a determination on most books within two to three weeks.

How does the process work?

We’re a close-knit team that cares about the work we do, and it’s important to us that our authors receive individualized attention. We’ll walk you through each step, answering questions and getting your feedback and approval for each part of the production process before moving on. After everyone is 100% happy with the finished book, we distribute it to retailers.

Read more about our production process here.

How is Boyle & Dalton’s hybrid model different from self-publishing?

Boyle & Dalton’s unique approach combines the economic advantages of self-publishing with the quality standards of traditional publishing.

We don’t accept every submission we receive. Fewer than 10% of books submitted to Boyle & Dalton are accepted for publication. We vet books for quality, and insist that every book undergo a rigorous, professional production process, identical to the process a book would undergo if published through a traditional publisher.

If selected for publication, where will my book be sold?

Hardback and paperback books are distributed through Ingram, the nation’s largest book distributor, and available on major platforms such as Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com. E-books are distributed to Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, iTunes, and Kobo.

How much does it cost to publish with Boyle & Dalton?

Most authors invest between $7,500 and $9,500 in their book. Factors that may affect the total investment price are the length of the book and the amount of editing and development needed.

What percentage of submissions do you accept?

We accept fewer than 10% of the manuscripts submitted to us.

How much do your authors make in royalties?

We pay a royalty rate of 80% of NET. This means that whatever we receive for the sale of your book, you get 80% of that in a quarterly payment–with no weird fees, held payments, or funny business. Most of our authors make $3 to $5 per book sold.

When do authors get paid?

We pay our authors every quarter and provide them with a royalty report so they’re well-informed about their book sales. Typically, authors receive checks in March, June, September, and December.

How do you determine how much the author invests in the book production?

The biggest factor we consider is the cost to produce the book (things like labor, wages, and cash expenses). We balance that cost against our optimism for the book at market, and we arrive at a fair investment point that we believe the author is likely to recover.

Who prices my book?

You do, with our help. We’re here to provide good advice, taking into account factors like book length, target market, and genre, but ultimately, we allow the author to set the final price.

Who has the final say on creative decisions?

You do. We respect your investment in your work, both monetarily and creatively. So when push comes to shove, if you’re in disagreement with our production experts (which rarely happens), you’re the boss.

Where are you located?

Our office is located at 14 N. Park Place in Newark, Ohio. We’d be happy to meet authors in person if they’re local to the area. Or, for authors located outside of the area, we’re happy to video chat, email, or talk via phone. 

Find all of our contact information here.

When do I pay Boyle & Dalton?

For most titles, authors provide 50 percent of the total project cost up-front, with the remainder due when you’re 100 percent satisfied that we’ve produced the work in a way that’s consistent with what you’ve been promised.

Who pays for marketing?

The author and Boyle & Dalton are expected to market the book. 

Boyle & Dalton provides unlimited marketing consultation to authors. Our industry experts are available to provide insight, guidance, and resources throughout the process at the author’s request—at no charge. Our team will walk authors through different launch strategies (how to build up their reviews, how to launch a book, how to get book blurbs pre-release, etc.).

Are there any other fees or costs?

Nope. No hidden fees or up-sells.  

If you don’t see your question, please reach out to us today. Contact us here.

Ready to submit your work for consideration? Begin the process here.