Word Out Books

An imprint of AZ Entertainment Group LLC

             

Word Out Books is grounded in a fundamental belief: Every writer deserves to have their work read. Our mission is to empower authors from diverse backgrounds and experiences to achieve their publishing dreams. Born out of requests from inmate authors and facilitated by our parent company, AZ Entertainment Group LLC, we address a critical gap in the publishing landscape.

Since its inception in late 2017, Word Out Books has served as a dedicated platform for inmate authors, many of whom lack the resources or knowledge to navigate the traditional publishing process. Unlike self-publishing, when you choose Word Out Books, your work is published through under the reputable Word Out Books imprint. This distinction not only adds credibility but also assures that your book is handled by professionals who value the integrity of the publishing process.

Our approach is straightforward and transparent. By implementing fair fees paid upfront, we ensure that the publishing journey remains accessible to those whose stories otherwise might remain untold. Through Word Out Books, these authors can finally share their voices with the world and contribute to the rich tapestry of literature..

How It Works

Our services include formatting and editing your manuscript, book cover design, publishing your book, and making your work available for sale in print and eBook on Amazon and other online outlets. When you submit your manuscript by mail or by email, an editor will read your manuscript and contact you with the services we can offer based on your submission.

Services and Fees (Effective as of January 1, 2025)

Payment in full is required before we can begin work on your manuscript. We accept installment payments, but will not begin work on your project until full payment is received. Please note that to avoid possible rate increases, you must complete payment within one year of your submission.

Our Publishing Service includes the following:

  1. Registering your work with the United States Copyright Office. (You keep all copyright ownership to your work. Word Out Books is granted exclusive publication rights.)

  2. ISBN – Every book sold commercially must have an International Standard Book Number assigned to it. Each edition and version of a book—for example, an eBook and a paperback edition of the same book—must have its own ISBN. We will purchase and assign ISBNs to the print (paperback) and eBook versions of your book.

  3. Prior to publishing your book, Word Out Books will proofread your manuscript and correct basic punctuation, spelling, and capitalization errors. We look for and correct grammar and syntax mistakes, note inconsistencies, and provide other suggestions to improve the quality of writing.

  4. Book cover design. (If you have a specific request for a book cover, let us know and we will accommodate your request if possible.)

  5. Publication of your book in both paperback and eBook versions. 

  6. Setup and management of sales. Your book will be available through online outlets through Expanded Distribution.

  7. One free copy of your book shipped to the address of your choice.

Publishing Service Rates:

Manuscripts up to 150 pages: $1,500 Manuscripts up to 200 pages: $1,700

Manuscripts up to 250 pages: $1,950 Manuscripts up to 300 pages: $2,200

Manuscripts up to 350 pages: $2,450 Manuscripts up to 400 pages: $2,700

If you think your manuscript will exceed 400 pages please let us know before you send it to us.

If you have a short manuscript (fewer than 80 pages) it may qualify for our Novella rate, which is $1,200.

Note: The length of your manuscript (or page count) will be calculated by Word Out Books. Page count is determined by the number of words per printed page, which is typically (but not always) 250 words per page.

Publishing Under a Pseudonym (Pen Name)

The Copyright Office requires an additional fee of $20.00 for publishing under a pen name. Please let us know if you would like your copyright registered under a pen name and we will add this charge to your invoice.

Manuscript Submissions

Manuscripts must be typed in standard manuscript format on standard-size letter paper, or in electronic format. If your manuscript is handwritten, it must be printed and legible. Typing fees will apply.

Royalties

Word Out Books will set the price at which your book is sold (“list price”). Royalties are based on the net proceeds from sale of the book, after all printing/distribution-related costs are deducted. Our authors receive 80% of the net profit after these costs are deducted. Royalties are paid twice a year, typically in March and September. You will receive a royalty statement showing how many copies were sold and the amount of royalties earned. We will pay royalties to the name and address specified by you. This can be you or someone you designate to receive the royalties.

How To Get Started

  1. Send us a copy* of your manuscript.

  2. Include any additional comments, questions or information you’d like us to have.

*VERY IMPORTANT: Please be sure you do not send us the only copy of your manuscript! Manuscripts cannot be returned, regardless of whether we ultimately publish them. 

What We Will Do

Once we have received and reviewed your manuscript, we will contact you with an offer to publish your book and the cost for publication. We will enclose a Services Request Form for you to complete and return to us. 

Rarely, we must decline to publish a manuscript, usually because it violates one of our publication policies.

Word Out Books does not publish the following:

  • Books that advocate the commission of crimes or incitement to commit crimes.*

  • Books that could be considered libelous.

  • Books designed to allow a person convicted of a crime to profit directly from that crime.*

  • Books which, in our exclusive editorial judgment, violate the ethical principles of our company.

*Please note that we do accept Urban Fiction for publication.

Invoicing

When we receive your signed Services Request Form we will send you an invoice requesting payment for our publication services. Payment may be made by check, bank draft, or money order. We do not accept credit card payments or cash. Checks/drafts/money orders must be made payable to our parent company, AZ Entertainment Group LLC. 

We will begin publication after payment has been received in full. Once publication work has begun, fees are non-refundable. If you wish to cancel publication, please contact us within 10 business days of payment, so that we can process your refund. 

Please Note: If we do not receive your payment or a request for additional time for payment within 90 days of our receipt of your manuscript, we will assume the project is a no-go and will destroy the manuscript without further obligation to the author. We cannot keep unpaid manuscripts indefinitely. Again, please do not send us the only copy of your work!

Please let us know if you have any questions regarding our services or fees. We want to help you get your word out to the world with Word Out Books!