Information & Submission Process
In the Rocndog Universe
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Publishing
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Rocndog Books is an independent publisher with an attitude. Our authors write important, daring work—work that deserves to be out into the world, within an ever-changing landscape. Today, there's more room for new approaches, new voices. For shakin' things up. We publish up to ten books per year and nurture them—with expert help from our marketing consultants and from our distributor, Lakeside Book Company, the largest book manufacturing, fulfillment, and distribution company in North America.
Indie means charting your own course.
Ready to Publish?
Yes, we receive unsolicited submissions... but before sending an entire manuscript, please note:
Rockin' Dog Studio offers custom manuscript development, all levels of editing, and publishing services—including design, printing, marketing support, and global distribution through Lakeside Books.
For authors who are developing a concept or looking for writing support, please explore our author services and course offerings. Or, if you feel that your project is already bold, innovative, unique, and (at least pretty darned) ready to go, then let's talk about next steps.
Please don't send an entire manuscript before reaching out. First, send an email to schedule a complimentary, 30-minute consult.
Here's what we'll need to know in the initial email:
Project Type—nonfiction or fiction, topic category.
Short Description—50 to 100 words.
Remember to include anything relevant we'd need to know, such as:
Based on a real story?
Personal experience?
Based on other material?
If required, do you have rights (IP) to the story?
Manuscript Length (words or pages).
Why you chose this project / why you are the ideal writer(s) for this project.
On a scale of 1 (raw) to 10 (polished), where do you feel the manuscript stands at this moment?
If you're attaching a sample—up to one chapter (Word or PDF).
NOTE: Please label the email subject line: PUBLISHING SUBMISSION INQUIRY.
Can't wait to learn about you and your project!
What is Hybrid Publishing?
TRADITIONAL
In this style of publishing, the publisher carefully compares a manuscript against the company's standards and mission. If the project is accepted, then the publisher pays production costs up front (perhaps not all marketing fees); when royalties are calculated, the publisher keeps the great majority of net income. In the traditional model, the publisher invests most of the funding toward production and therefore receives most of the income.
HYBRID
"Hybrid" means that costs are shared between the author and publisher. Usually, production fees—including project management, editing, design, and printing, among others—are borne by the author. When royalties are calculated, the author and publisher both share in net income. In the hybrid model, both parties invest in the project's production and therefore royalties are split. Percentages might vary, depending on the project.
ROCNDOG BOOKS IS A HYBRID PUBLISHER WITH TRADITIONAL STANDARDS
Rocndog Books carefully considers each submission against its own model, mission, and standards—fresh ideas, bold content, high quality, one-of-a-kind voice, and "fit."
When a book is accepted for publication, the author pays for Rocndog's expertise, specific skills, and advice in the process of creating the best product possible.
Each book receives individualized attention from Kristin Donnan—who has more than thirty years' experience in editing manuscripts and screenplays in a wide array of genres. See "Our Approach" for more on how she works.
Rocndog contributes its infrastructure, relationships with service providers, wholesale and/or distribution contracts, and marketing perspectives and team, among other assets.
The more both parties collaborate, the more we meld our skills—and the better our projects sell.
The Dog ain't no vanity press.
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