Our Story

Ann DeFee

Linda Cardillo

Vana Nespor

We are Bellastoria Press partners Ann DeFee,  Linda Cardillo and Vana Nespor.

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Ann and Linda met in the early years of our writing careers when we were introduced by our Harlequin editor at a party with a chocolate fountain and “signature” cocktails. Recognizing that we were kindred spirits, we spent the next few years building our backlists and hammering out plots in hotel rooms at conferences. 

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A few years ago we began to notice a pattern among our writing friends. Previously multi-published authors were facing increasing difficulty finding a welcome with traditional publishers. 

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As we stood on the edge of the chasm that 21st–century publishing had become, we didn’t retreat to our garrets, burning manuscripts to keep warm. 

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We decided instead to confront the industry upheaval and unprecedented rejection facing talented writers by founding Bellastoria Press.

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Since we established Bellastoria Press in 2014 we have. . .

• published 29 titles in fiction and memoir and 8 children’s picture books

• added a partner, Vana Nespor, a playwright and nonfiction author, whose vision and energy have helped us both  to grow and to offer authors a personal experience on their publishing journey

• won awards and garnered praise for our books

• built a professional team of editors, designers and formatters.

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Become a new chapter in the Bellastoria Press story!
 

Our Process

Bellastoria Press offers authors a personalized, hands-on experience that guides them through the publishing process from manuscript evaluation and editing to production, marketing and distribution.

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We are a selective hybrid press, publishing books that fulfill our mission to discover and share well-written, beautiful stories, told from the heart. You, as the author, and Bellastoria, as your publisher, share the cost of bringing your book to the world.

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The investment you and Bellastoria make in the editing, publication and distribution of your book reflects the care we give to each project, while offering authors a fair and generous return of 50% of net profits.

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Our process includes the following steps:

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Step 1: Submission and Evaluation

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Step 2: Contract and Editing

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Step 3: Final Acceptance

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Step 4: Production and Distribution

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Step 5: Marketing Guidance and Support

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If your manuscript is accepted, you will be assigned a dedicated managing editor who will work closely with you to create a beautifully written, skillfully designed, and carefully produced book marketed to the world.

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Our Fees 

Editorial Fees

Bellastoria Editorial Fees depend upon the length and complexity of your manuscript and whether it needs developmental and/or line and copy editing. After we evaluate your submission and decide that it meets our mission and quality standards, we send you a contract and an attached overview of the editing work that needs to be done on your manuscript. If you agree to partner with Bellastoria, sign and return the contract and pay the editing fee. 

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Our editing process, handled by experienced, professional editors,

includes two stages:

Developmental editing

 $8.50 per page

• Fiction:  Revision advice/suggestions regarding structure, plot, characterization, conflict, style and other story basics. 

• Nonfiction: Advice/suggestions regarding structure and organization, research, style.

Line Editing/Copy Editing

$5.00 per page

• Line by line review of revised manuscript, with appropriate changes suggested for grammar, clarity, stylistic effectiveness.

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Production and  Distribution Fees

Bellastoria Press Production and Distribution Fees are flat fees based on the length of your manuscript. Only after we accept your final edited manuscript, do you pay for the publishing and distribution flat fee. That investment defrays our cost for:

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• Proofreading at each stage of the publication process

• Creating a professional cover for your approval

• Designing and formatting your book in both print and eBook formats (ePub and Mobi)

• Acquiring and assigning your unique ISBN

• Registering your copyright with the United States copyright office

• Distributing your print book via Ingram

• Distributing your eBook via Amazon KDP, Barnes and Noble Nook, Kobo, Apple, GooglePlay, Scribd, Tolino, 24Symbols, Overdrive, Bilbiotheca, Baker & Taylor, and Hoopla

• Pulling your sales data from all the sites listed above and providing a comprehensive report by country and outlet

• Processing and mailing your royalty payment and tax forms as required.

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Production and Distribution Fee

Up to 75,000 words - $3,750

75,001 to 90,000 words - $4,250

90,001 to 120,000 words - $4,750

120,001 words and up - $5,250