1. Purpose and Identity

Dialogē Press is a small, selective academic press dedicated to publishing works that engage biblical interpretation with clarity, depth, and integrity. We accept only projects aligned with our mission and maintain a high editorial standard.

2. Manuscript Submission Requirements

Completed manuscripts only

Dialogē Press considers only full, completed manuscripts. A manuscript is considered “complete” when:

• All chapters are finished.
• Author revisions are done.
• Citations and permissions are complete.
• The manuscript is presented as the author’s final version prior to editorial review.

We do not accept partial manuscripts, drafts-in-progress, chapter outlines, or works requiring developmental coaching.

3. Initial Setup Fee

A non-refundable setup fee of $400 is required before work begins.

This fee covers:

• Manuscript intake and evaluation
• Light proofreading (if chosen)
• ISBN and catalog setup
• Interior formatting guidance
• Administrative preparation for production

Authors do not receive stipends or advances.

4. Editorial Options

a. Light edit (included in the $400 setup fee)

• Typos
• Punctuation
• Basic consistency
• No structural or stylistic revisions

b. Full editorial package (+$1,200)

• Substantial editing for clarity, flow, and readability
• Macro-level commentary
• Style cleanup
• More extensive editorial labor

c. Optional peer review (additional fee)

Peer review is not required for every project, but may be requested by the author or recommended by Dialogē Press for more technical or academic works. Peer review involves an additional fee of $350 per reviewer, paid in advance.

Peer review typically adds up to an additional 8–12 weeks to the overall schedule, depending on the reviewer’s availability and workload. Reports are shared with the author for consideration and potential revisions.

5. Design and Production Standards

a. Interior format

Dialogē Press has final control over interior layout to maintain quality and consistency. Authors receive the layout for review.

Revision policy:

• Up to two rounds of interior revisions included
• Additional rounds: $50 each

b. Cover design

Dialogē Press produces the cover design. Authors may request adjustments within two revision rounds. Additional rounds: $50 each.

c. Hardback option

If the author chooses both paperback and hardback editions, add $75 for the second cover design and second BookVault setup.

6. Distribution and Sales

Dialogē Press uses BookVault as its printer and distributor.

a. Primary sales channels

• IABC website (primary storefront)
• Optional Amazon listing via BookVault (no KDP account required)

b. Platforms not used

• KDP
• IngramSpark
• Any duplicate distribution channels

This model avoids duplicated listings and ensures simple, consistent logistics.

7. Rights and Exclusivity

a. Copyright

The author retains full copyright to the text. Dialogē Press does not own the content.

b. Press rights

Dialogē Press receives a non-exclusive license to publish and distribute the book.

c. Exclusivity window

The author agrees to a two-year exclusive distribution period, beginning on the official publication date.

After two years, the author may:

• Request non-renewal
• Publish revised editions elsewhere
• End the agreement with proper notice

d. Notice of termination

The author may end the agreement after the exclusivity period with 60 days written notice.

Dialogē Press may also terminate if the author becomes uncooperative or obstructive. Fees remain non-refundable.

e. Author protection clause

If Dialogē Press fails to make meaningful progress and fails to communicate with the author for 60 consecutive days, and the delay is not caused by the author, the author may request termination of the agreement.

If the press is at fault, the setup fee will be refunded minus the value of any work already completed (such as editing, formatting, design, or ISBN registration), and all completed work will be delivered in non-editable PDF form. If the delay is caused by the author, fees remain non-refundable, and the press may terminate the project.

8. Production Timeline

Dialogē Press generally completes production within 16–32 weeks, depending on manuscript length, editorial requirements, and author responsiveness. Projects that include peer review may require up to an additional 8–12 weeks, depending on the reviewer’s availability and schedule.

These timeframes reflect the realities of a small, selective academic press. No fixed deadlines are guaranteed.

9. Royalties

a. Royalty philosophy

Dialogē Press is committed to ensuring that authors receive the majority of revenue from their work. Unlike many traditional publishers who retain a large share of royalties, our model is intentionally structured so that authors benefit directly from the years of research, writing, and reflection they have invested in their projects.

b. Royalty structure

Royalties are paid on net revenue (after BookVault’s printing and distribution costs). The standard royalty split is:

• Author: 60% of net
• Dialogē Press: 17.5% of net
• Remaining portion to BookVault production/distribution

This structure remains both fair and financially sustainable, providing authors with a significantly larger share than most conventional publishing arrangements while supporting the continued work of a small, mission-driven academic press.

c. Earnings example (illustrative only)

For a typical 300-page paperback priced around $40, an author working with Dialogē Press could conceivably earn between $12 and $18 per copy sold under the 60% royalty structure.

Disclaimer: Actual earnings vary depending on BookVault’s print cost, shipping method, Amazon fees (if applicable), trim size, page count, color vs. black-and-white printing, and any discounts applied. This estimate is for illustration only and is not a guarantee of specific earnings.

10. Ownership of Production Files

Dialogē Press retains ownership of:

• Cover design files
• Interior design files
• Typesetting and production assets

The author retains:

• Full copyright to the text
• A non-editable PDF archive copy of the final typeset book

11. Marketing and Promotion

Dialogē Press is a selective academic press and does not function as a marketing or publicity agency. Our role is to publish and distribute the book; the author is responsible for all promotional activities.

a. What the press provides

• A listing for the book on the IABC website
• Distribution through BookVault
• Optional Amazon availability through BookVault (if selected)

These steps ensure that the book is available for purchase through standard channels.

b. What the author is responsible for

All marketing, promotion, and publicity efforts, including but not limited to:

• Announcing the book to personal and professional networks
• Email newsletters
• Social media posts
• Speaking engagements or launch events
• Soliciting reviews
• Running ads, if desired
• Ongoing visibility and reader engagement

Dialogē Press does not create marketing plans, manage social media, conduct advertising campaigns, organize launch strategies, or guarantee sales or readership.

c. Purpose of this policy

This clear division of responsibilities allows Dialogē Press to focus on producing high-quality, responsible biblical interpretation, while giving authors full freedom and control over how they promote their work.

Summary of Key Commitments

Authors can expect:

• Clear communication
• Professional editorial standards
• High-quality design
• Responsible distribution
• Majority royalties
• Retained copyright

Dialogē Press expects:

• A completed manuscript
• Professional cooperation
• Timely responses
• Respect for the exclusivity period
• Appropriate conduct during revisions

7. Rights and Exclusivity

a. Copyright

The author retains full copyright to the text. Dialogē Press does not own the content.

b. Press rights

Dialogē Press receives a non-exclusive license to publish and distribute the book.

c. Exclusivity window

The author agrees to a two-year exclusive distribution period, beginning on the official publication date.

After two years, the author may:

• Request non-renewal
• Publish revised editions elsewhere
• End the agreement with proper notice

d. Notice of termination

The author may end the agreement after the exclusivity period with 60 days written notice.

Dialogē Press may also terminate if the author becomes uncooperative or obstructive. Fees remain non-refundable.

e. Author protection clause

If Dialogē Press fails to make meaningful progress and fails to communicate with the author for 60 consecutive days, and the delay is not caused by the author, the author may request termination of the agreement.

If the press is at fault, the setup fee will be refunded minus the value of any work already completed (such as editing, formatting, design, or ISBN registration), and all completed work will be delivered in non-editable PDF form. If the delay is caused by the author, fees remain non-refundable, and the press may terminate the project.

8. Production Timeline

Dialogē Press generally completes production within 16–32 weeks, depending on manuscript length, editorial requirements, and author responsiveness. Projects that include peer review may require up to an additional 8–12 weeks, depending on the reviewer’s availability and schedule.

These timeframes reflect the realities of a small, selective academic press. No fixed deadlines are guaranteed.

9. Royalties

a. Royalty philosophy

Dialogē Press is committed to ensuring that authors receive the majority of revenue from their work. Unlike many traditional publishers who retain a large share of royalties, our model is intentionally structured so that authors benefit directly from the years of research, writing, and reflection they have invested in their projects.

b. Royalty structure

Royalties are paid on net revenue (after BookVault’s printing and distribution costs). The standard royalty split is:

• Author: 60% of net
• Dialogē Press: 17.5% of net
• Remaining portion to BookVault production/distribution

This structure remains both fair and financially sustainable, providing authors with a significantly larger share than most conventional publishing arrangements while supporting the continued work of a small, mission-driven academic press.

c. Earnings example (illustrative only)

For a typical 300-page paperback priced around $40, an author working with Dialogē Press could conceivably earn between $12 and $18 per copy sold under the 60% royalty structure.

Disclaimer: Actual earnings vary depending on BookVault’s print cost, shipping method, Amazon fees (if applicable), trim size, page count, color vs. black-and-white printing, and any discounts applied. This estimate is for illustration only and is not a guarantee of specific earnings.

10. Ownership of Production Files

Dialogē Press retains ownership of:

• Cover design files
• Interior design files
• Typesetting and production assets

The author retains:

• Full copyright to the text
• A non-editable PDF archive copy of the final typeset book