Frequently Asked Questions

Submitting a book proposal

How many books per year does Smyth & Helwys publish? Smyth & Helwys publishes between 25-30 books each year. The cost of publishing the books, coupled with the need to appropriately market specific titles, helps publishers determine how many per year to publish.

What sort of books does Smyth & Helwys publish?
Smyth & Helwys is currently seeking books which are suitable for undergraduate academic study, and books which support local church ministry in some way. We seldom consider devotionals, sermon collections, or fiction, and do not currently publish full-color children’s books or poetry.

After sending a proposal, when should I expect to receive an answer?
Often authors assume that a fast response from a publisher is good news. The truth is that rejection letters are often sent more rapidly than acceptance letters. Once your proposal is in our hands, it will be reviewed by our editorial team. Books which do not fit our publishing plans will be turned down rather quickly (generally within 1-3 months). Books that are seriously being considered for publication may take 3-6 months for a decision to be made.

Can I submit to more than one publisher at a time?
Some publishers do not accept “simultaneous submissions” but we actually encourage them. Getting a book published is hard work, and each publisher can only accept a limited quantity per year.

Why does the publisher control the book title and cover appearance?
Publishing a book is an expensive affair, and the title and cover are a publisher’s primary tools for selling a book. Because we are carrying the financial risk for the project, we retain control of the cover and title, although we encourage authors to offer ideas.

How does Smyth & Helwys market books?
Because we serve specific book reading audiences, our marketing is tightly focused on those groups. Smyth & Helwys understands that the marketing of a book is most effective when the author is motivated and involved. Below are some of the tools and processes used to market our books:
1. Catalogs
Smyth & Helwys produces and mails a collection of catalogs throughout the year (usually around 10). The key audiences are clergy, informed laity, and the religious academy. The contents of each catalog will vary depending upon the theme of that mailing.

2. Web Site
All new titles are listed in the bookstore of the Smyth & Helwys web site. This site has become one of our most effective means for selling books. We also offer many titles as ebooks through our NextSunday.com site. Many of our titles are also available at Amazon.com, although the Smyth & Helwys site usually has better prices.

3. Events
Smyth & Helwys is present at many gatherings of ministers, laity and academics across each year. Our bookstores and displays have become a valuable means for marketing and selling books.

4. Author Events
Authors who have opportunities to lead workshops, conferences, or other sorts of speaking engagements find these settings to be significant marketing events.

5. Advertising
While it is unusual to see individual books promoted through ads, Smyth & Helwys is a regular advertiser of selected titles through certain academic journals and clergy magazines. We also place ads on our highly popular Sunday School materials, reaching over 120,000 adults each week.

6. Media Sheets
A media sheet will be prepared and mailed to key periodical and other news or organizational outlets. The sheets offer information about the book and its author(s), and provides information on how a free review copy may be obtained. A similar sheet is provided to authors, with the review copy information replaced with ordering information. Authors find these flyers handy in promoting their book among their contacts.

7. Reviews
In an attempt to get reviews published, media sheets or copies of a book will be sent to the appropriate media outlets, both nationally and regionally. It is especially important that authors supply contact names and phone numbers of newspapers (both secular and Christian), radio stations, television stations and local magazines to the marketing department, including areas where the author is well known.

8. Bookstores
While any bookstore may order our books, we do not primarily function as a “trade” book publisher. Selling direct-to-customer is our main focus. Our books (like most mid-sized nonfiction publishers) are not automatically stocked in bookstores. We do make special efforts to offer availability for an author’s book in their local bookstores, and for other stores as needed for signings.

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