How to publish with Fearless Books
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In 2003, an unknown, unpublished writer named author Gary Renard signed a cooperative agreement with Fearless Books to publish THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE UNIVERSE. Sharing costs and net proceeds equally, the author and publisher sold 25,000 copies of the original Fearless edition (cover on left) before the book was purchased in 2005 by Hay House (cover on right) in a six-figure deal. There are now over 200,000 copies in print in several languages.
Fearless Books is on the lookout for promising books that will similarly benefit from a customized, cooperative launch. This is not a pay-to-publish enterprise like CreateSpace, Lulu, or iUniverse. We share launch expenses and net proceeds equally with you. That means we are taking a chance on the eventual success of your work, not just charging for publishing services. So we exercise editorial discretion, and we are looking for unique, high-quality projects that can use a customized small-press launch on their way to a bigger audience.
We are open to all subject matter and styles, in fiction and nonfiction.The only qualifiers are that the book must be of top literary quality, and it must be something we can market effectively. If we preview your manuscript and think it needs more work, we’ll tell you so (and offer a discount on a full critique or editorial services). If we think your manuscript is great but we couldn’t launch it effectively, we’ll give you valuable advice on where to go next, including agent or publisher contacts. If we think it’s great AND it’s right for Fearless, we’ll send you the details of a cooperative publishing offer and contract.
We publish in two formats, print-on-demand (POD) and digital. This means your book will be available in print through such major sales platforms as Amazon.com, and as an e-book available worldwide through a very large network that we access by our associations with Amazon Kindle, Google e-Books, Smashwords, and Content Reserve. In time when both independent and chain bookstores are closing and print sales are steadily falling, effective digital distribution is ever more important. We’ll provide expert, original cover and interior design for your book; we don’t use templates or other pre-designed formats. All original design and typography is done by Fearless founder D. Patrick Miller, editor and designer of THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE UNIVERSE and all other Fearless Books titles. We will write and disseminate a top-quality press release for your book, as well as advertising it on an exclusive page on the Fearless Books site. Through our talented Fearless Associates, you can get discounts on both website design and enhanced publicity.
We can provide a customized launch for most books at a cost of less than $2000 to the author, and much less for a digital-only release.* You will begin earning 50% of net sales even before the book is launched, as we promote advance sales through the Fearless website for most titles. As with THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE UNIVERSE, the Fearless strategy is to provide a successful launch for very unusual projects whose potential may not be seen by conventional publishers. We can’t guarantee financial success, but we can assure you of a quality custom launch under the prestigious, award-winning imprint of Fearless Books — a daring new spirit in publishing since 1997.
To get started, submit your project for a Great Idea Review. There is a non-refundable fee of $75, for which you will receive a brief critique, including our opinion about the best direction for your project. The fee applies to your share of the project expenses if we decide to take on your book. We look forward to seeing what you’re working on!
*We can also assist self-publishing authors with the editing, design, and production of printed books under their own imprint. Fees will be customized to each project. Write to us at info(at)fearlessbooks.com for more information.
