Scribe Publishing

Scribe Agreement

This agreement is intentionally written in plain English. We think the impenetrable lawyer-speak of modern contracts inhibits understanding, cooperation, and mutual benefit, which helps no one (except the lawyers). We want what's best for both of us, now and in the future, and we think plain English agreements help achieve that.

In short, the purpose of this agreement is simple:

You are hiring us, Bond Financial Technologies Holdings, LLC, to perform the services described below. This agreement is the official record of our relationship, and it lays out what we can both expect, who should do what and when, and what will happen if something goes wrong.

Timeline

The minimum time-to-publish for this experience is 7 months from your kickoff call. That's as fast as we can move. It's completely normal for authors to take closer to 9 or 10 months, so that's what we recommend you budget.

What We Will Do for You

Project Management: You will be assigned a dedicated Publishing Manager who functions as the project manager for your book, ensuring all next steps are clearly outlined, deadlines are met, and the entire process runs smoothly. They will serve as your main point of contact and coordinate all aspects to keep everything on track and aligned with your vision.

Manuscript Evaluation: Before we can start publishing, our Executive Editor will do a full read of your manuscript, assessing structure, flow, completeness, and overall quality. The editor will write up a manuscript evaluation memo and present it to you. You can choose to edit the manuscript yourself or hire one of our editors for an additional cost.

Proofreading & Copyediting: Your book will go through full quality assurance and technical preparation to ensure it is ready to publish.

Book Cover Design: Our design team will create a high-quality book cover for your print and eBook versions. You will get at least three cover design options and up to five rounds of edits. The cover decision is yours alone.

Interior Layout Design & eBook Conversion: An interior layout designer will craft the interior for your hardcover, paperback, and eBook editions. You can provide up to 25 print-ready visual images. Custom graphics incur an additional cost.

Copyright & ISBN Registration: Your manuscript will be copyrighted with the U.S. Copyright Office. Your book will be registered in Bowker's Books In Print database with all necessary ISBNs and barcodes.

Publishing Imprint: You will publish under our Houndstooth Imprint. You may publish under your own imprint for an additional cost.

Pre-Launch Physical Proof: We'll order you a physical proof copy of your paperback and hardcover to review before setting a launch date.

Publishing: We will format, publish, and distribute your title on Kindle Direct Publishing and IngramSpark platforms.

Author Copies: We will provide 50 paperback copies or 25 hardcover copies at no extra charge. You can order unlimited additional copies at the printer's cost.

Audiobook Creation and Distribution: We will facilitate the creation and publication of an audiobook version. You can narrate it yourself or use a professional voice actor. Your audiobook will be available on Amazon, Audible, Apple Books, Scribd, Google Play, and more.

Book Distribution: Your eBook/Kindle will be available on Amazon's global marketplaces plus iBooks, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and more. Print books will be available through Amazon and Ingram Book Group's channels, reaching tens of thousands of retailers, libraries, and bookstores worldwide.

Quality Assurance Commitment: We are dedicated to delivering a professionally crafted book that adheres to the highest traditional publishing standards.

Book Marketing

• Targeted Amazon Best Seller Strategy with discounted eBook campaign
• Social media graphics and banners
• Email strategy and templates for early reviews and sales
• Goodreads eBook giveaway (US only)
• A+ Content for your Amazon listing
• Added media opportunities through our network

What's Included in Your Package

• End-to-end project management
• Manuscript Evaluation
• Title support and feedback
• Back cover copy
• Front cover designs (at least 3 options, up to 5 revisions)
• Full cover comps (up to 3 revisions)
• Manuscript formatting
• 1 round of copyediting
• 1 round of manuscript proofreading
• Layout sample pages + full layout
• Launch call and promotions
• Audiobook narration and production
• 50 paperback copies
• 1 year of exclusive international rights representation

Important Other Things

Additional Editing: If our Executive Editor determines additional editing is needed, you can edit the manuscript yourself or hire our editors. We will provide a custom quote based on your manuscript's specific needs.

The Opt Out Clause: If our Executive Editor determines we cannot publish a manuscript in its current form, and you don't want to revise it, both parties can opt out without penalty. We will refund all monies paid minus the first non-refundable invoice.

Total Length Clause: Our price works for books up to 50,000 words (roughly 200-300 pages). If the manuscript is over 50k words at manuscript evaluation, we charge an additional $100 per 1,000 words, rounded down.

Unlock Fees: If you need to change something you've already locked in, we can do so, but it will add time and incur additional cost.

Audiobook Overage: Professional narrator covers up to 75,430 words / 8.38 hours. Self-narration covers up to 56,298 words / 6.26 hours with 18 hours of studio time. Overages will be quoted before recording begins.

Post-Publishing Support

Within three months of your book's launch date, we will fix one round of typos for free. Beyond this, contact alumni@scribemedia.com for post-publishing support quotes.

AI Content

We reserve the right to use AI as a productivity tool. You may request details of AI use at any time, or explicitly ask us not to use AI on your project. You must notify us of any AI-generated content (text, images, translations) in your manuscript.

Best Practices

Review and Give Notes: Be as honest and intentional with feedback as possible. You call the shots.

Communication: A fair amount of our work requires video and audio calls. Delays in communication can delay your book's schedule and may result in additional costs.

Cancellation Policy: Cancel or reschedule calls 24+ hours in advance. One missed call is fine. Beyond that, no-shows or late cancellations are subject to a $150 fee.

Legal Terms

Call Recordings: Our calls will be recorded and may be monitored. By signing, you consent to this recording.

Intellectual Property: Until full payment is received, your manuscript will not be published. If the project is terminated before full payment, you retain ownership of the content paid for up to that point.

Royalties and Profits: You get all the profit from your work. Neither Bond Financial Technologies Holdings, LLC, nor any third party is entitled to any share of book profits. All book and distribution accounts are yours.

Liability & Indemnification: You are solely responsible for the content of your book. You represent and warrant that the content does not infringe the rights of any third party. You agree to indemnify Bond Financial Technologies Holdings, LLC for any liability arising from your book's content.

Image and IP Licensing: If you provide images, you must have the right to use them. If we source images, we will obtain proper licenses. Both parties indemnify each other for their respective media sourcing.

Cancellation: If either party decides to part ways, we will discuss next steps. If paid invoices (beyond the non-refundable first invoice) exceed incurred creative costs, we will refund the difference.

Delay: If you need to pause, we cannot guarantee the same timeline or team when you restart. Projects are auto-paused after 4 unreturned contact attempts. Pauses of 3+ months may require a price update.

The Sunset Clause: If you are non-responsive for 12 months or more, we have the right to cancel the project and retain payment.

No Hidden Costs: We will never do additional work that costs you money without first getting your explicit approval.

Pricing Expiration: The price you commit to is good for 3 months. If you don't start within 3 months and prices have increased, an amended agreement will be required.

Outside Work: You agree not to hire Scribe team members for independent work identical or similar to our services without explicit approval.

Your Investment

Your investment is paid over 6 months. The first payment of $4,833.33 is due within 24 hours of signing and is non-refundable. Remaining payments will be set up for automatic monthly payment. There is a 3% processing fee for all credit card payments. If we're still working on your book beyond 12 months, payments continue at $1,500/month. Unpaid invoices past 14 days will pause work on your project. Full payment is required before publishing.

Scribe Publishing Services	$26,000
Audiobook Creation & Distribution	$3,000
Total	$29,000