Frequently Asked Questions

Working with Spellbound

  • According to the Independent Book Publisher’s Association (IBPA), hybrid publishing companies behave just like traditional publishing companies in all respects, except that they publish books using an author-subsidized business model, as opposed to financing all costs themselves and, in exchange, return a higher-than-industry-standard share of sales proceeds to the author. A hybrid publisher makes income from a combination of publishing services and book sales.

    For further information, feel free to visit the IBPA information page here, as we adhere to their standards: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/hybridpublisher

  • Assisted self-publishing is where you pull in editors and/or designers to help you polish your book, but you still handle all the publishing! We are just here to lend a hand in polish your book and provide support as needed when you are setting up your book for publishing and distribution.

beta & arc teams

  • A beta reader is a test reader of an unpublished manuscript who gives feedback to the author from their point of view. This feedback can be used by the author to fix remaining issues with plot, pacing, and consistency. These manuscripts are still in the middle of the editing process and have not undergone line or copy edits. Beta readers should not be looking at grammar, syntax, spelling or punctuation, but at the story structure and components only.

    An ARC reader is someone who receives a finished, fully polished book before its publication and provides feedback, reviews, and generates interest in the upcoming release. ARC stands for Advance Reader Copy: digital copies of a book that are sent pre-release day to ARC readers. ARC readers are an important part of the publishing process because their reviews can help potential readers decide if the book is right for them before it's released.

  • At Spellbound we take feedback and reviews very seriously. Once you've filled out the sign up form, we'll email you to let you know if you’ve been chosen to join the team!

    Once you’re a member of the team, you’ll start receiving sign-up emails for our Beta and ARC Campaigns as they come out. If you're interested in joining a campaign simply sign up for it via the form in the email. The dates and descriptions will be included. You'll receive an electronic copy of the manuscript you've signed up for on the first day of the Campaign, and your feedback or reviews will be due by the last day of the Campaign.

    Beta and ARC Campaign windows vary, but are usually no shorter than 3 weeks.