Our focus is on Christian Living, Children’s Books, Historical Fiction, Young Adult Fiction and Americana Literature. We generally seek new Christian authors and illustrators who have never professionally published or they tried self-publishing and are looking for a more professional, hands-on experience with editors, graphic designers, mentor authors, and support to work together on their piece to get it to print and in the hands of readers.
We are looking for authors and illustrators.
Submissions@ChisholmTrailMedia.com
In your first contact, please address each of the following items in one or two paragraphs as an introduction. This introduction should only be a page or two, plus your sample writing or sample illustrations. If we are interested, we will contact you for a full proposal. Please read the FAQ Page thoroughly.
Do NOT mail an Introduction and/or Submission. We ONLY accept email.
Mailed materials will NOT be returned.
In your Introduction Submission, please clearly tell us:
What distinguishes your project from other books on the same subject; Identify the purpose and audience for the book; Distinguish the marketability of your finished book; Provide a chapter or sample writing of the work.
Briefly address:
Credentials: Why you are an expert on this subject, and what social media or base of followers do you have already (none is required).
Purpose: What need are you writing to meet? This is not why you have written it, but what impact on others you hope to have? For example: the purpose should NOT be "my mother just died and I am journaling to grieve." Instead, the Purpose is reader-centered; "I am writing through my own experience to help others who are dealing with grief." BIG difference.
Audience: Who are you writing for? Tell us about the person that would buy your book - who you are having a conversation with on the written page.
Sample: a chapter or two for non-fiction or fiction. Art if you are an illustrator.
Do NOT mail information. We ONLY accept email submissions. Email your Introduction Submission to Submissions@ChisholmTrailMedia.com
If we contact you for a Proposal:
Please give us a little more information - four or five pages, explaining:
* What your book is about - the problems, reasons, or situations which prompted you to write your book;
* Why your book is needed; what are the unique features; anything that makes your book different from all other books in the same area; any new or fresh approach you offer; any special features you will include.
Market:
Describe the audience at which your book will be aimed and your level of expertise, (no
experience, beginner, intermediate, advanced). What are some specific applications or uses for your book (e.g. small business management; health; entertainment; education)? Who would be the most likely candidates for purchasing your book and why should they buy, use, keep and talk about it? Identify a Primary Market and Subsequent Markets – for example; 1) Single moms, 2) pastors and lay leaders who work with single moms, 3) gift books.
Competition:
List three to four books which compete directly with the project you are proposing.
Briefly discuss how they compare to your book in length, depth and spectrum of topics covered,
format, visual appeal. If there is no available book for the market you are addressing, cite any which seems remotely comparable, and indicate the differences among your approaches. Show how and why you fill the gap that exists in the market.
Outline:
Present a brief overview of each chapter (about 100 words each).
Sample Chapters:
Please submit one or two sample chapters that show your writing style and content of the book.
Publishing Details:
What is your proposed book length (see FAQ Page for additional guidelines); If there are photographs and/or illustrations, how many are there; Where are you in the writing process – an estimated time to complete a non-fiction book. Fiction should generally be complete at the time of submission. And illustrated books – we will match an illustrator in most cases.
Contracts:
A sample contract can be found on this page. Generally for fiction and non-fiction, royalties are paid at 20% of net on print and e-books for a five year publishing rights contract beginning the day of publication. Copyrights are held by the author or artist. For illustrated children’s books, the author is paid 15% and illustrator is paid 15%. No advances are paid.
Trail Media is not a vanity press or “subsidy” publisher, so no fees are required.
Questions? Please read the FAQ Page.
Still have questions? Please email: Submissions@ChisholmTrailMedia.com
Your questions help us better help others – Thank you!