When should I contact a publisher? If your manuscript is drafted or at least 75% has been written, congratulations! You’re definitely ready to contact a publisher. Because publishers are often interested in products–not ideas or concepts–having the manuscript as close to completion as possible is best. However, because Mynd Matters Publishing (MMP) includes strategy and offer reader research and marketing add-ons, we are more than willing to work with authors at every stage of their book writing and publishing process. Contact us for a Clarity Call to determine exactly what you need and how we can best help you achieve it.
Does Mynd Matters Publishing review and evaluate submitted manuscripts? Yes, we review all submitted manuscripts and will not publish any content that does not meet our standards. We are not a “pay to play” company. Also, all authors must agree via contract that the submitted content is original work and is free from plagiarism and/or copyright infringement. All sources are properly cited and no content (text, questions, exercises, etc.) has been re-used from a protected work. In any case of rights infringement, the Client holds Mynd Matters, LLC harmless and without blame, and instead, the Client will carry all financial, reputational, and legal burdens.
Are there any genres or types of books Mynd Matters Publishing will NOT publish? Yes, Mynd Matters Publishing does not accept and/or publish content that glorifies unnecessary and targeted violence towards any specific group based on race, gender, gender identity, religion, age, physical abilities, political affiliations, and/or sexual orientation. We do not accept and/or publish content that we deem harmful to prospective readers and/or content that does not align with our own values and stated mission of amplifying the voices of the underserved. Again, we are not a “pay to play” company and will not publish content that violates our policies.
Should I copyright my book before working with Mynd Matters Publishing? There is no need to obtain a formal copyright registration before submitting to us and while it is not necessary to register your work with the Copyright Office to protect it, it is highly recommended. However, the act of putting your book, story, or poem on paper (in a “tangible” form) automatically places it under copyright. For more information on rights and copyrights, see http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf
You can formally declare copyright ownership by typing the words “Copyright (year) by (your name)” on the first or title page of your manuscript (e.g., “Copyright 2024 by Jane Doe”). You can also substitute the copyright symbol (©)for the word “copyright.” Is the publishing agreement exclusive? It varies. Because we offer author services and we are also a hybrid publisher, we offer both exclusive and non-exclusive contracts. For the non-exclusive contracts, the author may publish with any entity, choose a print company, and make all the important decisions regarding their book.
Does Mynd Matters allow authors to use their own editors and graphic designers? Yes. However, if we realize that including an outside designer is causing project delays and/or rework, the author will be charged for the negative impact on the schedule. This does not apply to self-published authors who only need customized support services. Contact us to discuss your specific needs.
What are Mynd Matters Publishing’s standard prices? Our publishing packages can be customized to address your objectives and specific needs. We also offer à la carte services as well as packaged plans. See that area of our website to learn more. Does Mynd Matters Publishing offer flexible payment terms? We offer flexible payment solutions to ensure our authors are able to get the results they need without losing sleep or breaking the bank. What are the printing costs per book? While we can provide estimates early in the process, the final print cost per copy is determined once a book has been formatted and has a final page count.
Do you offer ghostwriting services? Yes, but we limit the availability of this service per year. All ghostwriting services are offered at a premium (starting at $15K) and include publishing support.