Meet CrossBooks

What is CrossBooks?
What kinds of books are published through CrossBooks?
Can I publish my Christian Book with CrossBooks?
What happens if a book does not pass the Theological Review?
Do I still own the copyright to my book when I publish with CrossBooks?
Can I publish my book with CrossBooks and another publisher, too?
How much does publishing with CrossBooks cost?
Should I be aware of any additional publishing costs?
Can I publish a non-English book with CrossBooks?
Can CrossBooks publish my book if I live outside of the United States?
Will I earn royalties?
Does CrossBooks edit my book?
Will CrossBooks promote my book?
Who will be able to purchase my published book?
As an author, is there a minimum or maximum number of books that I can or must order?
After purchasing a package, can I upgrade my book to another package by paying the difference?
How can I find out more about the other services CrossBooks offers?
Can I get in touch with CrossBooks if I have other questions?

What is CrossBooks?

CrossBooks, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources, is a Christian publishing company committed to bringing more Christian voices into the publishing industry. Established authors, first-time authors and authors anywhere in between can meet their goals and fulfill their vision for their books by publishing with CrossBooks.

Launched in April 2009 by LifeWay Christian Resources, CrossBooks introduced an innovative style of publishing that blends the best of traditional and self-publishing. While our authors contribute monetarily to cover the cost of publishing, we maintain a strict moral and quality standard that every manuscript must meet for us to publish.

What kinds of books are published through CrossBooks?

Our books cover a wide range of topics, including: theology, Biblical studies, commentaries, church life, inspiration, fiction, children’s books and devotionals. Because CrossBooks is a division of LifeWay Christian Resources, the books CrossBooks publishes must adhere to an unwavering principle of excellence and faith.

Can I publish my Christian Book with CrossBooks?

CrossBooks is always accepting submissions, so it is possible that your book could be published through CrossBooks. We're breaking down the barriers typically associated with traditional publishing by utilizing the latest in publishing and printing technologies. There are, however, a few requirements before we'll consider your book:

Authors are required to purchase a publishing package to cover the up front publishing costs.
Each manuscript must undergo a Theological Review to ensure the material is not in conflict with our Statement of Faith.
Each manuscript submitted for the any package (except for the Classic packages) must meet editorial review standards for quality.
Titles are priced competitively with those books produced by traditional publishers, and CrossBooks will guide the author to select a proper retail price.

What happens if a book does not pass the Theological Review?

When our Theological Reviewer discovers material that conflicts with our Statement of Faith, the author is notified. Our reviewers note the area of concern and provide details to the author about what he or she would need to adjust in their manuscript to bring it into accordance with our Statement of Faith. The author can choose to either remove or revise the identified content in order to continue publishing with CrossBooks. After changes have been made, we will ensure the identified material is acceptable, and if so, move forward with publishing.

If the author decides to keep the manuscript as it is and not publish with CrossBooks, we will arrange a refund for the purchase of the publishing package less the cost of the Theological Review itself, which is $150.00. Throughout the entire Theological Review process we work closely with each author to ensure that he/she has a smooth and satisfying publishing journey. We hope that authors will understand that the Theological Review is not meant to deny authors from publishing with CrossBooks – on the contrary! This service provides each and every CrossBooks author with the confidence that their book is theologically sound and is associated with a dedicated Christian publisher readers can trust.

Do I still own the copyright to my book when I publish with CrossBooks?

Yes, you always retain ownership of the copyright to your book when publishing with CrossBooks. Unlike traditional publishers who buy your copyright outright, you keep the rights after the book is published. That means that you have more freedom and control over your book for future opportunities.

Can I publish my book with CrossBooks and another publisher, too?

Yes, since you retain the rights to your book, you can publish your materials with another publisher, sell the rights to a movie company, or anything else you wish to do with the material.

We do not have restrictions if your book is currently available through another publisher, or if you wish to publish your book elsewhere in the future. We do, however, own the rights to your fully designed, finished book files, so you cannot use those files elsewhere.

How much does publishing with CrossBooks cost?

We offer publishing packages that range in price. Browse your options to find a package that will help you reach your personal goals. You have the ability to recoup your investment through competitive book pricing and high royalty earnings. Additionally, there is never any obligation to purchase copies of your own title. Books are printed to order, so you can simply order copies when they are needed without the expense and hassle of warehousing books or the loss revenue of printing unneeded copies.

Should I be aware of any additional publishing costs?

Everything that you need to publish a quality book is included in our publishing packages. Of course, we understand that not every book project is the same because not all goals and visions of our authors are the same. Some book projects require special services to prepare the work for publishing while others are more complex and need additional work in order to achieve the author's vision. We will always discuss with you any additional publishing services that carry charges before performing the service. You can review a list of Additional Production Services to determine if any other publishing services might apply to your project.

Can I publish a non-English book with CrossBooks?

No, at this time we can only publish books in English.

Can CrossBooks publish my book if I live outside of the United States?

Yes, authors all over the globe can publish with CrossBooks. We currently have worldwide distribution and printers in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Will I earn royalties?

Yes, you will earn royalties for books sold. For more detailed information about royalty amounts, payment schedules and more information on this topic, review our Royalties and Book Pricing FAQs section.

Does CrossBooks edit my book?

Our publishing packages do not include full manuscript editing; however, we do offer professional editing services. We urge you to honestly consider editing before publishing, if not with our editors, through your own contacts or colleagues.

Will CrossBooks promote my book?

CrossBooks offers a substantial amount of promotional services for your book depending on which package you select. Review the packages for details. Please keep in mind that as an author, you are your book's biggest advocate. Your book will only sell as well as you help follow up with interested parties and carry out your own marketing plan by utilizing the services and tools included in your package, as well as optional services available to you.

Who will be able to purchase my published book?

We make it easy for you to market your book to the public, allowing people all over the world access to your book. Our Standard, Pro and Color Packages all include channel distribution, which means every book we publish is assigned a unique ISBN and is distributed through the retail channel once published. Because we rely on leading distribution channels, such as Ingram and Spring Arbor, your title will be available for order through thousands of retailers, including Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. Plus, individuals can purchase your book directly through our CrossBooks Bookstore.

As an author, is there a minimum or maximum number of books that I can or must order?

No, we do not require that our authors place a minimum order, nor is there a maximum order limit. As a print-on-demand publisher, we allow you the freedom to order as many or as few books as you wish. Copies are printed and shipped in the same amount of time it takes to place any online order.

After purchasing a package, can I upgrade my book to another package by paying the difference?

Yes, you can upgrade a book's package to a higher-level package by paying the difference in prices. However, additional charges may apply depending on the status of your book at the time. For example, if your book is already complete and available for purchase, additional resubmission charges will apply. Similarly, even if your book is not completely finished, an upgrade may require additional costs to make changes or corrections to your book if you have passed certain steps in the design process. We are willing to work with you on a case-by-case basis to determine the best and most cost-effective solution to meet your needs.

How can I find out more about the other services CrossBooks offers?

At CrossBooks, we believe that all writers should have options when embarking on their publishing journey. We offer diverse and affordable services ranging from copyediting to custom covers to advertising. Explore our Additional Services Store for the upgrades that suit you best.

Can I get in touch with CrossBooks if I have other questions?

We're happy to help. Contact one of our customer service representatives if you have further questions.