Q: What kind of publisher is Kaleidoscope?

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A: Kaleidoscope Publishing is a fee-for-service publisher that also offers marketing support and retail distribution.

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Q: Do you accept every manuscript that’s submitted?

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A: No. First, we only accept manuscripts that align with our mission of “Reflecting God’s Truth.” Second, we must believe we can help the author create the best book possible. Third, we must also believe we can help the author actually sell the book.

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Q: How much will I have to pay for author copies of my own book?

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A: Most publishers price author copies at 50% of retail plus shipping. Kaleidoscope’s author copy price is printing cost plus $1 to $2 (depending on your contract terms) plus shipping.

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Q: Is there a minimum number of books I have to buy to publish? After my book’s release?

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A: There is no minimum number of books to buy with Kaleidoscope. After your book’s release, there is no minimum order, and you can order books at any time. Please allow approximately two to three weeks processing time for delivery.

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Q: What kind of support services do you offer?

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A: Kaleidoscope has a growing community of like-minded authors who interact through a private Facebook group and pray for each other. As part of the publishing package, authors receive instruction, tools, and coaching to help them reach their audience in the most effective ways. This includes a long-term, customized, multi-pronged marketing strategy with detailed steps that are easily repeated and offer maximum results. After publication, we encourage our authors to promote their books to local, independent vendors (independently owned stores), which helps grow our wholesale network. As a company, Kaleidoscope endeavors to draw readers to all its products. So, a connection for one Kaleidoscope author is a connection for all.

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Q: Where will my book be available?

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A: Through the Kaleidoscope store at www.kaleidoscopebooks.net, Amazon, Ingram, and other vendors in our ever-growing network of independent wholesalers and distributors (totaling more than 1,800 across North America in 2025).

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Q: Do I have to maintain my own website to publish with you?

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A: No. However, we encourage authors to understand the benefits of maintaining an online presence and pursuing a growing relationship with their readers.

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Q: Do I need a vast social media presence to publish with Kaleidoscope?

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A: No. However, since most readers expect to find an author on at least one social media platform, we encourage authors to understand the benefits of being accessible to their audience.

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Q: How do royalties work?

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A: Royalties are paid quarterly as follows: 1) print royalties are 100% of net minus one to two dollars (depending on your contract terms), eBook and audiobook royalties are paid at 70/30, with 70% going to the author; (2) print royalties through www.kaleidoscopebooks.net online store sales are 100% of net minus two or three dollars (depending on your contract terms), eBook royalties are paid at 70/30, with 70% going to the author. Note: A print book sale through www.kaleidoscopebooks.net earns the author about twice as much net royalty as a sale through Amazon or Ingram. (Example: A $20 print book with 268 pages earns about $7.50 net royalty from a sale through Amazon or Ingram, and about $14.75 net royalty from a sale through our website.) An eBook sale through our website earns the author an even higher net royalty. (Example: An eBook costing $18.99 on Amazon pays a net royalty of about $6.65, of which the author receives $4.65. That same eBook sale through our website generates a net royalty of $13.29.)

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Q: How can I make the most money from book sales?

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A: Send buyers to the www.kaleidoscopebooks.net store.

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Q: What happens if an independent bookstore or vendor wants to carry my book?

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A: With most fee-for-service publishers, independent vendors must go through Ingram to purchase product. Kaleidoscope offers an alternative through password-protected portals for our growing network of independent wholesalers and distributors. After being screened, an independent vendor can order your book directly from us. There is no minimum order requirement, and you don’t have to coordinate delivery, as is often the case in a consignment agreement. Vendors can order from Kaleidoscope at a 50% discount, which is industry standard. Royalties from this type of sale will be included in your quarterly royalties.

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Q: Will my book be available through big chain stores like Barnes and Noble and Walmart?

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A: In general, big chain stores like Barnes and Noble and Walmart use Ingram as their source for print books. Since we list your book with Ingram, your book will be available to those outlets. However, this doesn’t mean those merchants will order your book, only that it is available to them.

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Q: Will my book be available on Amazon?

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A: Yes, your book will be available on Amazon. But you will make a higher royalty from print and eBook sales through www.kaleidoscopebooks.net, so we suggest sending potential buyers there.

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Q: How can I promote my book at trade shows and conferences?

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A: To keep costs down, Kaleidoscope does not purchase booths at events like these. For authors who feel attending trade shows and conferences is important, we encourage them to consider joining Christian Authors Network or the American Writers and Speakers Association. Both organizations offer opportunities to attend these industry conventions and will provide directions for promoting your books there.

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Q: What if I have an agent?

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A: Kaleidoscope is happy to work with agented authors. Keeping in mind most agent representation agreements are exclusive and provide for a 15% commission payment on royalties, we require agented authors to consult with and get their agent’s written consent before signing a contract with Kaleidoscope. Any agent commission is the responsibility of the author.

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Q: Does Kaleidoscope require its authors to have a big launch when their book is released?

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A: No. While some authors find doing a launch beneficial, we do not believe a big launch is for everyone. At Kaleidoscope, we would rather an author consistently engage in promoting their book, reaching their audience, and building their platform after a book’s release than put all their faith in a short window of time at a launch.

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Q: Does Kaleidoscope order typical print runs and warehouse its books?

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A: No. However, after publication, authors are asked to purchase twenty-five copies at author copy price for our order fulfillment inventory.