Our Story

Ann DeFee

Linda Cardillo

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!
 

Vana Nespor

Our Process

BELLASTORIA PRESS IS 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.

We offer 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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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 

Bellastoria Press Publishing Package

Up to 100,000 words - $5,000

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The Bellastoria Press Publishing Package includes the following:

• 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 

• Developing the metadata for your book and creating a sell sheet 

• Registering your copyright with the United States copyright office 

• Printing and distributing your print book via IngramSpark 

• Distributing your eBook to online retailers and library distributors, including 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 royalty report 

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

For manuscripts over 100,000 words, please contact us for a fee quote.

Editorial Fees

Bellastoria Press Editorial Fees are separate from the Publishing Package and cover line editing and copyediting.

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Line Editing

$325 per 10,000 words 

Addresses writing style and language use.

Identifies issues such as repetition, clarity, pacing, and transitions.

Copyediting

 $150 per 10,000 words

Addresses technical flaws, such as grammar, spelling, and punctuation;

identifies inconsistencies and confusing elements; performs fact checking.

Optional Services

Please contact us for additional information and fees for the following:

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Audiobook production and distribution

NetGalley listing and ARC production and distribution

Submissions for reviews with major publications, such as Kirkus Reviews, Foreword Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Historical Novel Review and Chanticleer Reviews

Contest submissions