The Book Publishers JUST for Cheer & Dance!
Cheer Books...
Dance Books...
Darnell Spirit Productions ONLY publishes books about cheerleading or dance. We currently specialize in nonfiction for these markets, and are introducing two new lines of adult romances centered around cheerleading and dance as well.
Fiction...
In fiction, we are currently only considering adult romances that are centered around the world of cheerleading or dance for our Sideline Romances (cheer) and Spotlight Romances (dance) lines. However, within those thematic boundaries, we will consider a wide variety of genres (paranormal, vampire, contemporary, action/suspense/thriller, mystery, chick lit, romantic comedy, fantasy, and historical). At this time, we are not interested in futuristic/science fiction or time travel stories. Heat levels should be sweet (closed door romance) to sensual, but not erotic (no frank, graphic language please). If you would like to write a cheer or dance romance that is within another genre not listed here, please visit our DSP Writer Boards (see link on left) or contact our editors as to whether we'd be interested in featuring that genre.
All romances MUST have a happily ever after (HEA) ending. All heroines must be at least 18 years of age or older, no matter the time period.
We will not publish fan fiction or anything that is derogatory to any group. If you have a question as to whether something within your story will be appropriate for DSP, please contact our editors.
Full manuscripts are required at time of submission, no exceptions. NO synopsis is required, just a short summary to tell us what the story is about. We will only consider manuscripts within the following word lengths (determined by computerized word count)...
Short story: 10,000-20,000
Novella: 20,001-40,000
Novel: 40,001-65,000
Full Novel: 65,001-100,000
Fiction Formatting Guidelines...
1. Use Times New Roman in 12pt font.
2. All paragraphs must be indented .5" (without tabs) double spaced.
3. Start each chapter on a new page with the chapter heading centered.
4. Save your manuscript as an RTF file. No other file formats will be accepted due to risk of viruses.
5. On the upper left corner of the first page, please list...
- Title of your story
- Manuscript length (as determined by computerized word count; use Word's Word Count feature to get this total)
- Which line (Sideline Romances or Spotlight Romances) your story is being submitted for
- Genre(s) that your story fits within (paranormal, action/suspense/thriller, mystery, etc.)
- Your full name
- Your pen name (if applicable)
- Your mailing address
- Your email address
- Your phone number
Cover Letter: In your submission email, please give us a short summary of your story and how it is centered around cheerleading or dance. You can also list any pertinent experience that you have with cheerleading or dance, recent writing credits you may have, etc. Finally, please detail specific ways that you would help promote your book should DSP decide to publish it.
All submissions should be sent to dspsubmissions@yahoo.com. Failure to follow any of the above guidelines will result in an automatic rejection of your submission. You will receive an email from DSP as soon as an editor as received and opened your submission. Our current response time is 3-4 weeks. We will consider simultaneous submissions. However, please let us know that the work is being considered by another publisher.
Non-fiction...
For nonfiction titles, we require authors to have a strong background directly related to your proposed manuscript's topic. If you are writing about how to start and coach a successful cheerleading team, we'll need proof that you have actually started and coached a cheerleading team to success!
Articles and Tips: If your article is chosen for inclusion within an upcoming DSP book, you will receive one free digital copy of the book's ebook version, your author bio will be added to the About Our Authors webpage at the DSP website, and full recognition will be given for your writing within the book (articles will be followed by the author's bio). If your tip(s) is chosen for inclusion within an upcoming DSP book, you will receive one free digital copy of the book's ebook version, and your name will be included at the end of each of your tips within the book.
New Book Proposals: At this time, we can only consider completed manuscripts for all new book proposals. If you would like to author a book for DSP, please send full manuscripts only. No contracts will be offered based on partial submissions.
Non-fiction Formatting Guidelines (for articles and full books)...
1. Use Times New Roman in 12pt font.
2. Include a table of contents (no page numbers needed for each chapter heading; list all included chapters with small lists beneath of the most important points within each chapter)
3. All paragraphs must be indented .5" (without tabs) double spaced.
4. Start each chapter on a new page with the chapter heading centered.
5. Save your manuscript as an RTF file. No other file formats will be accepted due to risk of viruses.
6. On the upper left corner of the first page, please list...
- Title of your story
- Manuscript length (as determined by computerized word count; use Word's Word Count feature to get this total)
- Label it as a non-fiction book for consideration for our Ultimate Guide Series and whether it's for the cheer or dance market
- Your full name
- Your pen name (if applicable)
- Your cheer/dance experience that qualifies you to write this book
- Your mailing address
- Your email address
- Your phone number
7. Table of Contents
Cover Letter: In your submission email, please give us a short outline of your book, who its target readership is, the benefits it offers, and why you are qualified to write this book. Also list any recent writing credits you may have. Finally, please detail specific ways that you would help promote your book should DSP decide to publish it.
All submissions should be sent to dspsubmissions@yahoo.com. Failure to follow any of the above guidelines will result in an automatic rejection of your submission. You will receive an email from DSP as soon as an editor as received and opened your submission. Our current response time is 3-4 weeks. We will consider simultaneous submissions. However, please let us know that the work is being considered by another publisher.
Royalties Offered...
DSP is a full service publisher. We do not charge fees of any kind to authors. Your book will be professionally edited, assigned an ISBN, and custom cover art provided for it. DSP does not offer advances. We offer 40% of the net (net is determined by the book's retail price minus printer's cost and any resellers' discounts) for printed books and ebooks. Royalties are paid on a monthly basis. Authors of co-authored books must split the 40% royalties.
Frequently Asked Questions...
Question#1: Do I need an agent to submit to DSP?
No. We work with both agented and unagented authors.
Question #2: What if I'm a first-time author?
We are happy to consider first-time authors. In fact, many of the authors at DSP are first-time authors. Our editors are used to working with first-time authors in polishing your story or non-fiction work for publication. However, you should submit only your very best work to DSP in order to increase your odds of being offered a contract.
Question #3: Can I supply my own cover art?
We are willing to consider using partial cover art elements, such as photos, for your cover art design. However, ultimately the final cover art design will be created by our own cover artists to ensure only the highest quality cover art that meets the preferences of our targeted market.
Question #4: Will my book be professionally edited?
Absolutely! Our professional editors will go over every detail of your work to ensure that it is polished for perfection, and will work with you to make sure your work is the best it can be.
Question #5: What kind of marketing does DSP do for its authors?
We currently maintain a publisher blog, writer's group, DSP Spirit Club fan group for announcements and freebie giveaways, and an actively updated MySpace profile and presence. Our books are sent out to targeted cheer and dance book reviewers. We provide authors with free promotional items (such as printable bookmarks, website banners, and distributable samples of their books). And we create 1 to 1.5 minute book trailer videos for our books. Through the Ebook Affiliate Program, anyone with a cheer or dance site, blog, or MySpace profile can help promote and sell our ebooks. And our ebooks are distributed through a growing network of ebook retailers. However, we also feel that book promotion is a two-way street and require that authors help actively promote their books as well.
For further information from Head Editor Melissa Darnell or to chat with fellow writers, please visit our new DSP Writer Boards!
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Website designed and maintained by Melissa Darnell.