Authors
Have you lived a life less ordinary? Do you know a place off the beaten path? We all have a story to share.
Unsung Voices Books welcomes manuscripts from authors writing about diverse experiences.
Note that our publishing program centers around two kinds of nonfiction: 1) Perspectives from writers from marginalized and underrepresented groups and ways of life; and 2) stories that enrich our understanding of the places that make up our world.
If your book meets those criteria, please send us your proposal. Be sure to include details about your book’s format and target market.
Collaboration
Unsung Voices Books works with both new and experienced nonfiction authors. If you believe your book provides a perspective from an historically underrepresented group and/or will enrich your readers’ understanding of people and places that make up our world, then our team wants to collaborate with you. Send us your nonfiction book proposal, being sure to include:
1. Book title, along with a few paragraphs describing your book
2. Length (close approximation is fine)
3. Target market -- who in particular will want to read your book?
We are happy to explain the publishing process, particularly so newer authors better understand the steps involved. Unsung Voices Books is a full-service publisher. As such, we provide copyediting, composition/typesetting, marketing, printing, and distribution. We are happy to answer any questions for our authors about or during the process. Note that we do not require any payment from our authors -- we make money from book sales, not our authors.
Publishing Models
Not all publishers operate the same way: these are the three most common publishing models.
Traditional
Unsung Voices Books is a traditional publisher. In this model, the publisher provides copyediting, composition/typesetting, marketing, printing, and distribution. Authors are paid royalties based on book sales. "Big 5" corporate publishers also use the traditional model, but most large publishing houses do not accept unsolicited manuscripts, and, unlike Unsung Voices Books, require that authors have agent representation.
Hybrid
In the hybrid model, sometimes referred to as "publishing services," authors take on some or all of the upfront costs to publish. Author earnings are based on book sales, and the publisher may or may not also take a percentage of sales revenue. Other than the additional costs to the author, hybrid publishers typically provide the same services as with the traditional model, but in some cases this might not include printing and distribution.
Self
Self-publishing, also known as author-publishing, is exactly as it sounds. There are multiple avenues to self-publishing, including directly publishing through large online booksellers. In this model, the author is responsible for all aspects of book creation and marketing; print-on-demand (POD) is generally used as opposed to working with a manufacturer (printer). Authors will earn a percentage of sales based on their agreement with the online bookseller used for publishing, and / or the distributor used for POD and shipping.
Industry Statistics
People enjoy reading books, preferring print to any other format. Millions of new books are published each year, with self-published books comprising a growing share of the total market in terms of volume, but for the most part lagging far behind in terms of sales $. By some estimates, roughly half (if not more) of all buyers shop online vs in stores; this could be due to the ease of being able to find a particular title online.
With our focus on historically underrepresented people and ways of life, we target readers based on their interests. As members of both national and regional publishing and bookselling associations we are able to take advantage of marketing opportunities, but we know our most interested readers are invested in reading to learn about the world around us. Our passion is helping authors tell the stories that need to be told, and to provide high-quality books which stand out and engage others.
700+MM
Print book sales per year, according to Statista.
> 40+%
By some estimates, up to half of all book sales occur online vs in stores, as per Wordsrated.
2.3MM
Self-published books in 2023 according to Bowker, the most recent year for which data is available. Publisher's Weekly.