MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission and purpose of Spring Creek Book Company is to produce, market and distribute quality products for families across the world. Our primary focus is providing entertaining, uplifting literature that gives readers a better understanding and an emotional connection to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

COMPANY BACKGROUND:

Spring Creek Book Company is a privately owned publishing company that was formed by Chad and Tammy Daybell on March 1, 2004. Chad and Tammy have several years of experience in the publishing world, both as authors and editors. Their objective is to publish high-quality, uplifting products that will strengthen and bless the lives of families. The company only publishes material that supports the values of the LDS Church.

PUBLICATION SCHEDULE:

Spring Creek publishes 20 books per year. Approximately 15 books each year are written by current Spring Creek authors or are based on ideas that originate from the company’s editorial board. This means Spring Creek typically accepts only five unsolicited manuscripts for publication each year. The company specializes in full-length paperback titles, leaning toward uplifting non-fiction books that fill a void in the LDS market and also have the potential to be commercially successful in the national market.

The company no longer publishes illustrated children’s books and will publish only one or two novels each year. There is little demand for poetry, plays or family histories in the LDS market. Spring Creek does not produce audio versions of its books at this time.

SUBMISSION OF MANUSCRIPTS:

An initial query letter is preferred. The Spring Creek editorial board makes decisions on manuscripts based on the quality and marketability of the manuscript itself. There is no advantage in calling the office or meeting with a member of the editorial staff when submitting a manuscript, although it is beneficial to include a cover letter that tells about yourself and gives a summary of the manuscript.

The editorial board will respond to your submission within two months. Return postage should be included, as well as a self-addressed envelope large enough for the manuscript.

Query letters must be sent to the following address:

Spring Creek Book Company
Attn: Editorial Board
P.O. Box 50355
Provo, UT 84605-0355

PUBLISHING ARRANGEMENTS:

If your manuscript is accepted for publication, you will receive a notification letter, along with a publishing contract.

Spring Creek is a publishing house, not a subsidy publisher or “vanity press.” The author’s expenses are confined to supplying an acceptable manuscript ready to be typeset, which includes not only the text but also such items as the index and any artwork or photographs to be included in the text of the book. Once an author’s manuscript is accepted, we ask that the author supply us with an electronic file of the manuscript.

Other than these items, Spring Creek pays all expenses associated with publishing the book: typesetting, interior and cover design, printing, binding, and so on. In addition, Spring Creek pays the author a royalty that is a percentage of the book’s net sales. Royalties are paid twice a year, in April and October. Spring Creek allows authors to purchase their books at 60 percent off the retail price.

PRODUCTION:

After a manuscript is accepted, it is assigned a slot on the annual production schedule. The production of new publications normally takes from four to six months. During that time the book will be typeset and edited, then the galley proofs are shown to the author. Our editors are in contact with the author throughout the process.

The book cover will be designed by a professional graphic artist who has many years of experience in the publishing world. Spring Creek welcomes the author’s suggestions on cover ideas, but the company does have the final say on the cover design.

DISTRIBUTION:

Spring Creek distributes its books directly to all retail outlets that sell LDS material, as well as online retailers such as Amazon.com, Deseret Book.com, and the company website. Spring Creek also utilizes a well-respected distributor to place its books with the national bookstore chains.

MARKETING:

Each book has its own page on www.springcreekbooks.com, and the authors also have their own pages on the website that includes biographical information and a photo.

Each month, Spring Creek sends marketing materials and information sheets about its newest titles to all LDS retailers throughout the world. The sales staff follows up with these retailers each month to check their stock on all of Spring Creek’s titles.

The staff has been very effective in building strong relationships with these stores, and as a result the company’s titles have been well-received and have a long shelf life.

Spring Creek does submit each book to be advertised in the various LDS-related catalogs.

Selected titles receive promotion through radio and newspaper advertising. Spring Creek helps to coordinate book signings and other promotional activities, but the company does expect authors to be self-motived in promoting their books. The authors that do so will find the greatest success.

© 2006 Spring Creek Book Company
All Rights Reserved.