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.

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.

Option 1: Light edit (+$400)

• A non-refundable setup fee of $400 is required before work begins.This fee covers:
• Manuscript intake and evaluation
• Light proofreading
• ISBN and catalog setup
• Interior formatting guidance
• Administrative preparation for production
• Typos
• Punctuation
• Basic consistency
• No structural or stylistic revisions
• Authors do not receive stipends or advances.
• Authors get 60% royalties of net profits
  
  

Option 2: Full editorial package (+$1,200)

• A non-refundable setup fee of $1,200 is required before work begins. This fee covers:
• All from Option 1 plus more:
• Substantial editing for clarity, flow, and readability
• Macro-level commentary
• Style cleanup
• More extensive editorial labor
• Authors do not receive stipends or advances.
• Authors get 60% royalties of net profits
  
  

Option 3: Zero Up-Front  (+$0 Up Front)

• No up front fee
  
  • Choose from either Option 1 or 2 above
  • Plus $200 to backend fee
• Dialogē Press takes on more of the risk and keeps 100% of royalties until up-front costs (+ $200) are recouped. (See below)

For authors who prefer not to pay initial setup or editorial fees, Dialogē Press offers a Zero Up-Front model. Under this option, the author pays nothing at the beginning of the publishing process. Instead, the press keeps 100% of the net revenue from each book sold until the equivalent of the standard setup fee or editorial package has been fully recovered (e.g., $400 for basic preparation or $1,200 for full editorial support).

As an example: A typical $20–$30 paperback will net approximately $15–$25 per copy, meaning the press generally recoups its costs after 40–90 copies are sold, depending on the book’s retail price and the level of editorial service selected. (The number would need to be determined for each book and plan chosen.)

After recoup is completed, royalties immediately shift to the standard 60% author / 17.5% press structure for all future sales. This model removes financial barriers for authors while still ensuring the press is compensated fairly for the labor required to prepare, edit, and produce the book.

Add 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.

Note about Peer Reviewers: A peer review is an evaluation of substance, not style. Reviewers are asked to assess the manuscript in three areas:

• 1. Evaluate the argument. Does the reasoning hold? Are claims supported by evidence? Identify weak logic, unwarranted conclusions, or missing steps.
• 2. Evaluate the use of sources. Has the author handled biblical texts responsibly? Are citations fair, accurate, and contextually grounded? Note any overreach, misreadings, or gaps in engagement with relevant scholarship.
• 3. Evaluate clarity and contribution. Is the argument clear? Does it offer something meaningful to ongoing discussions, or simply restate familiar material? Indicate where clarity breaks down or where contribution is strongest.

A peer review helps the author sharpen argumentation, strengthen textual work, and clarify the manuscript’s value. It is not a stylistic edit, a proofreading task, or an endorsement. Direct, honest, text-centered assessment serves both the author and the press best.

Do you need a peer review?

Peer review is most valuable when a manuscript makes academic claims, engages biblical texts or scholarship at a technical level, or seeks academic credibility in the wider field. If your work presents arguments that need to be tested, evaluated, or substantiated, peer review can help strengthen those claims. However, if your manuscript is primarily devotional, popular-level, narrative, experiential, or practical in focus, and is not aiming to participate in scholarly debate, peer review is generally not necessary.

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 setup. Be aware that a hardback edition will drive up the cost of the book and can affect sales. 

Distribution and Sales

Your book will be made available for global distribution, meaning it can be ordered through major online retailers and international book networks, including Amazon and other worldwide booksellers. While the exact list of participating retailers varies by region and is determined by our distribution partner, global distribution ensures that your book can be purchased by readers, libraries, and bookstores across multiple countries. All titles are also listed on the IABC website as an additional point of access.

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.

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.

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 our printing and distribution costs). The standard royalty split for Dialogē Press is:

• Author: 60% of net
• Dialogē Press: 17.5% of net
• Remaining portion to 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.

Remember: If you choose the Zero Up-Front option (Option 3 above), this royalty structure is delayed until enough books are sold for Dialogē Press  to recoup its fees.

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 printing 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.

d. Royalty payment schedule

Royalties are calculated on a calendar-quarter basis and paid after verified sales reports are received from our printer and any other distribution channels. Because distributor reporting and payment are delayed, author royalties are paid on the following quarterly payout date.

The standard payout schedule is:

• Sales from January 1 – March 31 are paid on July 15.
• Sales from April 1 – June 30 are paid on October 15.
• Sales from July 1 – September 30 are paid on January 15.
• Sales from October 1 – December 31 are paid on April 15.

This schedule allows time for complete reporting, fund transfer, and reconciliation, and provides authors with a clear and predictable pattern for royalty payments.

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

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

• Listing for global distribution and on the IABC website, including Amazon, and other retail outlets. (See note above, Distribution and sales.)

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 an above average royalty schedule and 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