FAQs

What is Higher Ground Books & Media (HGBM)?

Higher Ground Books & Media (HGBM) is an independent publishing company whose mission is to provide empowering books and resources that point individuals to Christ.  We publish both fiction and nonfiction books in all major genres with the exception of erotica and horror. We look for works that are inspirational, motivational, and educational. Our focus is on these three components; Healing from Trauma, Using Your Gifts, and Growing Your Faith.

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How do I submit my manuscript for consideration?

Authors can submit your manuscript directly via our Submission Guidelines page at http://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/submission-guidelines.

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Do you charge a fee to publish?

 

Yes, for our Hybrid Publishing program.

 

Higher Ground Books & Media is a hybrid-first publisher. Most authors who publish with HGBM participate in our Hybrid Publishing program and pay a publishing fee based on the services required for their project.

 

Our hybrid model allows authors to receive professional publishing support while retaining 100% of the royalties earned from eligible book sales, after applicable retailer, distributor, and production costs.

 

We also offer a limited number of Traditional Publishing opportunities. Traditional Publishing is selective and does not require an upfront publishing fee. Under a Traditional Publishing contract, HGBM and the author share royalties 50/50 according to the terms of the contract.

 

Not every manuscript submitted for consideration will qualify for a Traditional Publishing opportunity.

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Do you offer advances?

We do not offer advances.

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Will I earn royalties as an HGBM author?

Yes. Your royalty arrangement depends on your publishing pathway.

 

Hybrid Publishing

Under a Hybrid Publishing agreement, the author pays the agreed publishing fee upfront and receives 100% of royalties earned from eligible book sales, after applicable retailer, distributor, and production costs.

 

Traditional Publishing

Traditional Publishing is offered selectively to manuscripts that strongly align with HGBM's mission and editorial focus. Under a Traditional Publishing agreement, HGBM covers the publishing costs and the author and HGBM receive a 50/50 share of royalties according to the terms of the contract.

 

Your publishing contract will explain how royalties are calculated, what deductions apply, and when royalties are paid.

 

Your individual publishing contract is always the controlling document for royalty terms.

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What services do you provide?

As part of our standard author contract, we take care of the following details for every title we accept:

• Basic proofreading (Your manuscript should be in its final draft when we receive it.)

• Cover design (We provide two cover designs for authors to choose from)

• Formatting and publishing for eBooks (at publisher's discretion)

• Interior book design and layout for print books (According to HGBM specs)

• Audiobook narration, editing, mastering, and publishing (Currently ACX)

• Distribution (Currently KDP/Amazon platform)

• Inclusion in ongoing corporate marketing campaigns as appropriate

• Basic setup for author website (if needed)

• Marketing/Promo resources (as appropriate)

• Initial press release for new titles.

• Tracking sales and royalties

• And more!

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Where is HGBM located?

HGBM is located in Springfield, OH, but works through KDP to sell copies worldwide. We are currently staffed by one extremely dedicated publisher who takes care of the entire process from start to finish. Periodically, we contract with other individuals to help with production or marketing, but for the most part we do everything in-house.

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Will I still own the rights to my book?

As indicated in our contract, authors grant HGBM exclusive rights to publish the book for at least twelve months. We ask that our authors stay on board with us for at least twelve months following the release of their book. After that point, they are free to terminate their contract if they so desire. If they wish to stay on, the contract will automatically renew every 12 months. 

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Does my book have to be professionally edited?

Professional editing isn’t required, however, the book should be ready to publish when we receive the final draft from the author. We do offer editing services for a fee through HGBM Services if the author is interested in having the book professionally edited, but it is not required.

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Will my book be available in international markets?

Most of our books are available internationally, depending on whether or not they meet the criteria for international distribution. Booksellers and libraries choose which books to carry through a host of large distributors and we make every effort to enroll each title in the expanded distribution program offered by the KDP platform.  This makes it easier for those booksellers and libraries to find and order the book.  

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Do you accept submissions for books that were previously published?

We’re happy to review these titles on a case-by-case basis. 
 

How do I submit a manuscript for publishing?

Before you submit your manuscript, please be sure to read our submission guidelines page in its entirety. 

Higher Ground Books & Media is an independent Christian-based publisher designed to provide a platform from which selected authors may share their stories.  The ultimate goal of this company is not to provide authors with a place to promote themselves, but to provide them with a place where they can share their stories of triumph over personal challenges and in doing so, glorify God.  Specifically, we are looking for how God has made an impact in your life. Books with themes that run contrary to God's word aren't likely to be accepted.

 

We are a unique publishing company and one of the few publishers who accept unsolicited, un-agented manuscripts.  We are seeking authors whose work is inspirational, motivational, or educational. We are especially interested in Ministry Resources, Memoirs, and Personal Testimony. No erotica or horror, please.

 

Currently, we are only accepting submissions written in English. 

 

Authors must also be residents of the United States.

 

Prospective authors should submit the following:

• A short summary of their book as well as 1-2 sample chapters,

• Your intended audience, and initial ideas for your marketing platform.

• Your story must be completely finished when you submit your sample chapters.  We will not review incomplete submissions.

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Do you accept unsolicited submissions?

Yes, we accept unsolicited submissions from both agented and unagented authors.

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How long will it take to publish my book?

Once the contract is signed, it may take between 6-9 months for your book to be released depending on where it is placed on the publication schedule, whether or not the book is aligned with a recognized holiday, corrections needed, issues outside of our control (ie. catastrophic events, etc.).   

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Where will my book be sold?

For eBooks:

• Amazon & Other Markets (Depending on Distribution Requirements)

 

For Print Books:

• Amazon and all major online book retailers

• Bookstores and Libraries who order your book through KDP Distribution

• HGBM Shop - Our online bookstore

 

For Audiobooks

• In digital format on Audible and iTunes

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What kind of marketing will you do for my book?

Every book we publish will be included in the rotation of corporate marketing for HGBM and its titles and services. These promotions are done in no particular order and may not consistently include every title. Where appropriate, we include titles that fit the theme for each promotional season or initiative. We try to include as many of our titles in our monthly promotions as possible, but it is not always logical or feasible to do so for every book we sell.

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Will you do all the marketing for my book?

No. We are a publisher, not a marketing company. We believe that authors must develop a platform and put in a great deal of time and energy to promote the books that they write. No matter who your publisher is, you will always need to be able to talk to people about your book and to stand behind what you’ve written if you expect to be successful as an author. 

 

Do you publish every manuscript submitted?

No. We actually receive quite a few manuscripts that do not fit our criteria at all. So, again, we ask that you please read our submission guidelines carefully before submitting your book for consideration. Submissions are handled in the order they are received and it often takes at least 6 to 8 weeks for us to be able to review them. In many cases, it takes longer than that. We simply ask that you do not submit your book to other publishers while you are waiting for a response from us. Our time is precious and limited and we do not want to spend time reading a submission that has already been accepted by another publisher.  If you do submit elsewhere and are offered a contract with another publisher while you are waiting for us to review your book, please do us the courtesy of letting us know that you no longer wish to be considered by HGBM. 

 

Do I need to be active on social media to be published by HGBM?

Yes. To some extent, at least. We recommend that you sign up for at least a couple of social media accounts so that you can promote your book broadly through those channels and so that you can connect with your readers and other authors. Those connections are valuable to the process and will be a great way for you to keep up with current trends in writing and book marketing. One thing we do require is that you sign up for our HGBM Author Forum once you’ve signed with us. This is where we communicate with our authors about the important things that are going on with our company. It’s a simple process and we’ll provide you with the instructions you need to get signed up.  The HGBM Author Forum is private and exists specifically for the purpose of informing HGBM Authors.

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How many books do you publish each year?

Over the last few years, we have averaged about 20 new titles per year. 

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How can we reach HGBM?

The best way to reach us is through our website or via email at highergroundbooksandmedia@gmail.com. We currently do not accept phone calls. 

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NOTE: Answers to these questions are subject to change depending on the needs of the business. We will try to update these FAQs periodically to ensure that current information is available here.  As always, authors should consider their author contracts to be the source of truth with ALL updates to corporate policy and practice being announced on our HGBM Author Forum.

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