1) Are you a traditional publisher, or do I have to pay to have my book published by you?
We are a small, traditional publisher, which means you do not need to pay any fees to publish with us. All production costs are handled in-house and at our expense.

2) Do you accept agented and unagented authors?
Yes, we welcome submissions from both agented and unagented authors.

3) Where can I buy Vine Leaves Press books?
You can purchase all our books directly from us at our new store: https://vineleavespress.myshopify.com. Our books are also available on Amazon and common online book retailers.

4) What are the types of edits my manuscript will go through?

• Developmental Edit (Content Edit): This edit ensures your book aligns with market expectations and polishes content for its genre. For nonfiction, it assesses subject depth, competition, and appeal. For fiction, it focuses on elements like plot, character, and genre conventions.
• Copy Edit: Post-developmental edit, this stage corrects grammar, spelling, factual accuracy, and consistency, including timeline checks.
• Proofreading: This is a final polish to address any remaining errors, ensuring a clean and cohesive manuscript.

5) Why do I need a web presence?
A web presence is essential for book marketing in today’s digital landscape. We recommend an author website, Goodreads, Facebook, and Instagram profiles at a minimum.
Optional: Mailing list, X, Threads, YouTube, Pinterest, Tumblr, TikTok, Reddit, LinkedIn.

6) I've signed the publishing contract. What happens now?
You’ll receive a production schedule, so no need to check in continuously—trust our process. A sample timeline (approx. 9 months) includes:

• Developmental Edit: 3 months
• Galley for Endorsements
• Copy Edit: 2 weeks
• Cover and Author Tasks: 1 month post-edit
• Proofread: 2 weeks
• ARCs & Marketing: 3-6 months pre-launch

​7) Will my eBook be available on NetGalley or Edelweiss for advanced reviewers?
We make eBooks available on Book Sirens. If you wish to use NetGalley or Edelweiss, that will be at your own cost.

8) Will you pay for book contest/award entry fees?
No. You may enter awards and contests, and we can submit on your behalf, but you are responsible for any fees.

9) I’m new to book promotion. Any tips?
We recommend starting with a mailing list (see FAQ #5).

10) I want to change parts of my manuscript after signing the contract. Is that allowed?
Typically, yes. However, the extent of changes will need to be reviewed.

11) Will my book be distributed widely in the US as a US author?
Yes. Through Ingram, your book will be available in English across global markets.

12) Can I offer input on the cover design?
You may share ideas or images, but we retain final design control to ensure market appeal. If using original artwork, you’ll need permissions from the artist, and we don’t cover those costs.

13) What is the “no competing works” clause in the contract?
It simply means you can’t publish any book content without our consent, but if you want to publish an excerpt, reach out to us first.

14) What does 'out of print' mean in my contract?
'Out of print' means we’ve stopped publishing the eBook and it’s removed from distribution—not related to sales levels.

15) How does royalty payment work for direct sales?
Direct sales offer a 40% net royalty. When you buy at a 40% discount and sell at cover price, you retain all earnings minus purchase cost.

16) Do currency conversions affect my royalties?
Yes, but we pay your royalties in your preferred currency based on initial sales reports.

17) How do reprint rights work for anthologies?
Reprint requests fall under 'competing works.' Ask us if you wish to submit to anthologies; we typically approve without taking a share of the fee.

18) Can another publisher use the cover for translated editions?
If a foreign publisher wants to use our cover, they will need to purchase the rights from us, as we retain cover copyright.

19) Can I check promotional biographical information before it’s sent out?
We only use the bio you provide us.

20) What’s the timeline for revisions in the publishing contract?
The timeline varies based on the production schedule; see FAQ #4 for an outline.

21) How are net receipts for eBooks defined?
Net receipts are based on retailer/distributor fees. We distribute eBooks via Ingram and Amazon, making them widely available.

22) What is the 'distribution charge'?
This varies based on book length and distributor policies in different countries.

23) Do you print in bulk or use print-on-demand?
We use print-on-demand, but you may order in bulk directly from us at a discount.

24) Do you send out review copies?
We submit to e-only reviewers at no charge. You may purchase discounted copies for reviewers who prefer print.

25) Will my book be in bookstores?
Books are available through Ingram, and bookstores may stock them at their discretion. If you’re interested, we’ll provide a sell sheet for pitching to bookstores.

26) Can I publish short excerpts on my blog?
Absolutely! Sharing short excerpts for promotion is encouraged.

27) Why does Amazon show my book as out-of-stock or limited?
This is due to Amazon's print-on-demand setup with Ingram. Orders are fulfilled as they come in, and stock messages can appear without indication of actual availability.

28) Why do bookstore orders show a 20% discount instead of 40%?
To receive a full 40% discount, bookstores should order directly from us (details on our Contact page).
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29) Why does BookScan data differ from Royalty Reports?
BookScan doesn’t always align with real-time sales. It’s a trends tool rather than a replacement for actual sales data.

30) Do you accept book returns?
Generally, no. As a small press located in Greece, we don’t have a returns system. However, if you plan to organize a considerable number of events in bookstores, we can enable returns (destroy) for the first six months of your book's life.

31) How can bookstores place wholesale orders with Vine Leaves Press?
To order books directly from Vine Leaves Press, bookstores should email a purchase order to [email protected] or call us at +30 21 0698 3237.

32) What discounts do you offer for bulk orders?
For bulk orders of 10 or more books, bookstores are eligible for a 40% discount off the list price (e.g., $17.99 USD for a typical paperback), plus applicable shipping and handling fees.

33) What are the handling and shipping costs for wholesale orders?

• Handling Costs: $1.99 for orders of 1-50 units; $4.99 for orders of 51+ units.
• Shipping Costs: Shipping rates vary by location, with options for local shipping in the USA, the UK, and Australia.

For orders in Canada, books will ship from the USA, which may increase shipping costs. For orders in Europe, books will ship from the UK. For orders elsewhere in the world, books will ship from the location closest to you.
Note: Some U.S. locations may charge sales tax, which will be added to the invoice.

34) What information is needed on the purchase order?
Please include the following details on your purchase order:

• Purchase Order Number
• Book Title and Author Name
• Number of Copies
• Company Name and Contact Name
• Billing and Shipping Address
• Phone Number
• VAT/ABN/EIN/TIN/Company Number (if applicable)

35) What payment options are available for wholesale orders?
We accept payments via debit/credit card or direct deposit. Once you receive the invoice, you may pay online by clicking the payment link for card payments. If you prefer ACH, wire, or SWIFT transfer, bank account details will be provided on the invoice.

36) How long will it take to receive my order?
Please allow up to 15 business days to receive your order from the time of payment. If ordering for an event, ensure you place your order well in advance, as we cannot be held responsible for delays if ordered last minute.

37) How do royalty reports and payments work?
Royalty reports are issued quarterly in April, July, October, and January. These reports detail your earnings and sales units (both print and eBook) for the prior quarter. Payments for the reported royalties are processed approximately three months after each report. This delay is due to Ingram’s payment schedule, as they remit payments to us 90 days after a sale is made.
To clarify:

• April reports cover Q1 sales (January—March), with payments in July.
• July reports cover Q2 sales (April—June), with payments in October.
• October reports cover Q3 sales (July—September), with payments in January.
• January reports cover Q4 sales (October—December), with payments in April.

38) How are royalties calculated for direct sales from the VLP Store?
For direct sales through the VLP Store, royalties are based on net profit. Here’s an example calculation:

• Retail Price: 17.99 EUR
• Cost to Print: —3.95 EUR
• Sales Tax (6%): —1.08 EUR
• Transaction Fee (2% for PayPal/Stripe): —0.36 EUR
• Net Profit: 12.60 EUR
• Your Royalty (40%): 5.04 EUR per book

​39) Why are prices on the VLP Store in EUR?
As a European publisher based in Greece, we are required by Greek retail law to list prices in EUR. For author copies, however, we can invoice in your local currency since sales tax does not apply to wholesale orders.

40) Will prices be displayed in USD?
Due to Greek tax laws, only EUR pricing is available. If tax laws or our business structure changes in the future, this may be reconsidered.

41) Is sales tax included in the price?
Yes, sales tax is included in the listed price of each book, so nothing extra will be added at checkout.

42) How can buyers see prices in their local currency?
For buyers outside Europe, local currency conversion occurs at checkout based on the current exchange rate.

43) What are the shipping costs?
Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on the delivery address and selected shipping method (tracked or untracked).

44) Where are books printed and shipped from?
Books are printed and shipped from the UK and the USA, depending on the destination.
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45) How are books organized on the VLP Store site?
Books are ordered in various categories:

• Pre-orders: Displayed in order of newest additions first.
• New Releases: Organized by bestsellers, with the highest-selling titles appearing first.
• Genres: Also arranged by bestselling order within each genre. Titles with no sales will default to alphabetical order.