No, this is a free service. We carefully review every manuscript to make an initial determination if the work is appropriate for Vantage’s program. After acceptance and contract, your work will receive a thorough editing.

We cannot answer this precisely until we have seen your manuscript, but generally our publishing fees range from $5,000 to $25,000. Since every book presents its own editorial and production issues that affect cost, an exact proposal can be made only when we have your manuscript in hand. We typically communicate our fee and proposal to you within three weeks of receipt of your manuscript.

Not necessarily. We'll be glad to see it before it is completed. But we may not be able to make a firm publishing proposal until we have read the entire manuscript.

There is no standard rule about this. Sometimes the author includes them with the manuscript, and if they are competently executed, we accept them. If they do not measure up to our standards, we suggest that new illustrations be submitted. We routinely commission artwork from a variety of illustrators in black and white and in full color. .

You may of course pay the fee in its entirety, but our normal schedule breaks it into three approximately equal payments: upon contract signing, upon delivery of page proofs, and upon printing of your book. In some cases we also offer a flexible installment plan of monthly payments; however, the entire amount must be paid before your book can be marketed. We will do everything we reasonably can to accommodate you.

Most of the balance is taken up with discounts to book wholesalers and retailers and with distribution charges, with Vantage retaining what is left. At standard book retailing discounts, the author earns approximately twice as much as Vantage. Here’s an example: Let’s say a book has a cover price of $20.00. The retailer will typically remit $10.00 to Vantage; of this, $8.00 is due to the author for royalties (40% of $20.00). Vantage retains $2.00, or only 10% of the cover price.

Yes, and we will be glad to work with you on a fee basis by preparing the copy and artwork, designing the advertisement, and taking all other necessary steps to place your advertising in the newspaper, magazine, or web site of your choice. We are also pleased to coordinate intensive publicity campaigns for you.

No, you are not required to purchase any books. You do receive at least 25 books free of charge upon publication and can purchase additional copies at a 50% discount.

We will send review copies of your book to relevant and important review media outlets in the United States and Canada. Recently, even major newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post have scaled review coverage back significantly or curtailed it altogether. Although Vantage books have been reviewed in newspapers and magazines nationwide, there can be no assurance that your book will be reviewed.

We accept manuscripts in a wide variety of media. You may upload a word processing file of any type or a PDF here. And of course you may mail us your manuscript, preferably double-spaced, on one side of the page, with at least one-inch margins on each side (these are useful guidelines for generating PDFs as well). We regret that we cannot accept handwritten manuscripts.

You may if you wish, but it is not necessary to do so: U.S. copyright law grants authors protection based on the existence of their original work product in any form, whether registered with the Copyright Office or not. Vantage makes all arrangements to register the copyright in the published book in your name.

Yes. But remember, controversy is not the same as libel, defamation, or hatred. Such material we emphatically reject.

Yes. Please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope for this purpose.

Over the last two decades an increasing number of titles have been published in paperback - what the industry calls 'trade paper originals.' Vantage has followed suit, and today a majority of our titles are published as paperbacks. Vantage paperbacks have the same approximate dimensions as a hardcover volume, and are perfect bound with a laminated paper cover. Vantage does not often publish smaller, rack-sized mass market paperbacks.

Yes. Simply submit the material and tell us how many copies of the book you wish to print. We will be glad to give you an estimate, without obligation. Our minimum order is 500 copies.

It depends on the nature of the book and on the book itself, as well as on any special circumstances surrounding its publication. While our contract is in effect (which is a minimum of two years from the date the book is completed), we guarantee that we will fill all bona fide orders that we receive for a book, and we continue to have additional copies manufactured as they are needed - at no cost to you. Sales for most Vantage books will be more modest than those achieved by many commercial publishers, who aim for a sale of at least several thousand (hence the pickiness of commercial publishers!). Historically a minority of Vantage titles have sold out their first printings.

Since you are eager to get the maximum publicity for your work and yourself, the more you are able and willing to do the better your chance of selling books. Authors can market themselves in many ways such as giving press interviews, setting up readings and signings, lectures, and via social media. You need not engage in any of these activities, but they often help sell books. Vantage's publicity department will help coordinate these efforts but it is our experience that success often depends on an author's persistence.

Our banking references are available on request. We are also listed in important publishing directories, and are a member of the Association of American Publishers.

In certain circumstances, there can be a tax saving. We suggest you consult your own accountant or the Internal Revenue Service.