Submission Guidelines

Higher Ground Books & Media

 

Please review our submission guidelines carefully. Submissions that do not meet these requirements may not be reviewed.

 

About Higher Ground Books & Media

 

Higher Ground Books & Media is an independent, Christian-based publisher dedicated to sharing healing-centered, faith-driven books rooted in deep purpose and lived experience. We publish thoughtfully and intentionally, focusing on stories that reflect God’s work in the lives of individuals and offer hope, restoration, and spiritual insight.

 

Our goal is not mass-market appeal, but meaningful impact.

 

Our Publishing Model

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Higher Ground Books & Media operates under a hybrid-first publishing model designed to give authors access to professional publishing services while providing greater ownership of the financial rewards from their book sales.

 

Hybrid Publishing — Our Primary Publishing Pathway

 

Most new projects accepted by HGBM are published through our Hybrid Publishing program.

Under a Hybrid Publishing agreement, the author pays a publishing fee upfront based on the services and production needs of the project. In return, the author retains 100% of the royalties earned from eligible book sales, after applicable retailer, distributor, and production costs.

 

Our goal is to provide authors with professional publishing support without taking a percentage of their earned royalties.

Hybrid Publishing may include services such as editing, proofreading, cover design, interior formatting, eBook and print preparation, publishing and distribution setup, ISBN registration, marketing support, and other services specified in the author's publishing package.

 

The specific services included will be outlined before the author enters into a publishing agreement.

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Traditional Publishing — Limited Opportunities

 

HGBM also offers a limited number of Traditional Publishing opportunities to manuscripts that strongly align with our mission, editorial standards, and publishing capacity.

 

Traditional Publishing does not require an upfront publishing fee from the author. HGBM assumes the publishing costs associated with the project.

 

Under a Traditional Publishing agreement, royalties are divided 50/50 between the author and HGBM according to the terms of the publishing contract.

 

Traditional Publishing opportunities are limited and highly selective. Submission for consideration does not guarantee acceptance

into the Traditional Publishing program.

 

Choosing Your Publishing Path

 

The publishing pathway available to an author will be discussed after HGBM has reviewed the submitted material and determined that the project is a potential fit.

 

Authors who want professional publishing assistance while retaining 100% of their eligible royalties may choose Hybrid Publishing.

 

Authors whose manuscripts are selected for one of HGBM's limited Traditional Publishing opportunities may publish without an upfront publishing fee under the terms of a Traditional Publishing agreement.

 

All royalty calculations, fees, services, rights, and other obligations are governed by the author's individual publishing contract.

 

Submission Review Periods

 

Manuscripts are reviewed during two scheduled review periods each year:

• January (For manuscripts received July 1 - December 31)

• July (For manuscripts received January 1 - June 30)

 

Submissions are accepted year-round but are reviewed during these designated windows. Due to volume and capacity, we are unable to provide individual status updates outside of the review process.

 

Submission Criteria

 

To be considered for review, submissions must meet the following criteria:

• Authors must reside in the United States

• Submissions must be written in English

• Manuscripts must be complete (no partial manuscripts)

• No simultaneous submissions (please notify us if submitting elsewhere)

• Previously published works are reviewed on a case-by-case basis

 

Content Guidelines

 

We are particularly interested in manuscripts that:

• Are grounded in Christian faith and biblical values

• Reflect personal growth, healing, resilience, and spiritual transformation

• Offer encouragement, insight, or practical ministry resources

• Are written with clarity, sincerity, and purpose

 

Accepted genres include (but are not limited to):

• Memoir

• Personal testimony

• Inspirational or motivational nonfiction

• Ministry and faith-based resources

 

We do not accept:

• Erotica or horror

• Content that is intentionally divisive or contrary to our Christian mission and editorial vision

 

Submission Process

 

Step One
Please review these submission guidelines in full before submitting.

 

Step Two
Submit your proposal via our Contact page or by email at:
highergroundbooksandmedia@gmail.com

 

Your proposal should include:

• A brief overview of the manuscript

• Intended audience

• Overall purpose or goal of the book

• Any relevant background or platform information

 

Step Three
If we are interested in reviewing your work, you will be contacted with instructions for submitting your completed manuscript. Partial manuscripts will not be reviewed.

 

Step Four
Manuscripts are read in full during scheduled review periods. Response times vary depending on volume and capacity. Authors will be contacted directly if a manuscript is selected to move forward.

 

Formatting Guidelines

• Electronic submissions only (Microsoft Word format)

• Use a single, clear font (Arial preferred), 12-point size

• Do not embed photos or special characters in the manuscript text

• Artwork or photo-heavy books must follow guidelines outlined in the author contract

• Children’s book submissions should indicate whether the author has an illustrator or wishes to use one provided by HGBM (fees apply)

• If using a pen name, include it beneath the title, with your legal name in parentheses

 

A Note on Process & Sustainability

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Higher Ground Books & Media is committed to stewarding meaningful stories with care, clarity, and long-term sustainability. Clear submission processes allow us to serve authors well while maintaining the integrity of our mission and publishing standards.

Thank you for considering Higher Ground Books & Media.

If your manuscript aligns with our mission and editorial focus, we look forward to reviewing your submission during an upcoming review period.