The Book Connection is a Texas-based cooperative that pools the experience of proven professionals in various areas of expertise, including writing, editing, book design and production, marketing, printing, and order fulfillment. For further details, click Who We Are. For information about our providing speakers and seminar presentations, click on Seminars and School Programs.

What types of projects does The Book Connection handle?

The Book Connection specializes in nonfiction. Typical authors include nonprofit organization representatives, who produce books for fundraising purposes; professors or teachers who are introducing curriculum into their institution; speakers who produce books in their areas of expertise; individuals who are preserving their family history; and others. For further details, click What We Do and List of Credits.

Does The Book Connection handle fiction or poetry?

Typically, no. The Book Connection provides a specialty in non-fiction publishing.

Is The Book Connection a vanity publisher?

A vanity publisher, or a publisher whom the author pays to produce his/her book, is a pay-for-hire service. The author pays a fee, and the book is produced. Typically, marketing efforts are left up to the author.

Conversely, The Book Connection is the author’s partner in publication. Not all books presented to The Book Connection will be accepted as projects. All potential projects will need to pass the VMP Test for:

• Viability (will the author’s ideas translate into a book project?)
• Marketability (is there an audience for this book?)
• Profitability (if the intended audience is a group other than immediate friends and family, will the author feasibly be able to make back his/her money after this project is complete?)

Is The Book Connection a traditional royalty publisher?

A traditional, or royalty-based publisher, works like this: a book is accepted for publication. The author gives his/her manuscript to the publisher, who handles all editorial and production functions and expenses. The author may or may not receive a monetary advance before publication. And, the author may or may not be given a vote in the “voice” and appearance of the final product. After publication, the level and intensity of marketing efforts on the part of the publisher are not predictable. The author is sometimes left “holding the bag,” arranging for radio talk shows, and so on, in order to sell the book. The author receives between 3% and 8% of profits. And, if the sales fall below the author’s monetary advance, the author may be responsible for refunding some or the entire advance to the publisher.

In addition, many traditional publishers are less likely to produce “small” book projects. The book outlets today specialize in big names, best sellers, and specialty niches. Many worthy authors, whose books may have been published years ago when independent book sellers were more likely to stock “small” books by unknown writers, are facing rejection after rejection in today’s volatile market. Click on Broken Dreams to hear stories of writers who learned, firsthand, that traditional, royalty-based publishing isn’t quite the ideal it may seem to be.

The Book Connection works with the author throughout the entire editorial/production/marketing/order fulfillment process. The Book Connection provides a publication venue for authors who typically would not become part of the book “mall” marketplace. The Book Connection will work with the author to provide a professionally produced, editorially sound product. The Book Connection will provide marketing and order fulfillment. The Book Connection is a partnership in which the author's prorities are heard, understood, and regarded as an important part of the publication process.

Who We Are (participants by name?)

List of Credits (projects)

Why Should You Publish a Book?

Books build credibility. Books enhance visibility. Books are profitable. Books are smart marketing. Books are rarely thrown away. Books create unique volunteer opportunities. Books engage employees in a meaningful, and unusual, work experience. Books provide the “hook” for a variety of fundraising events. Books communicate!