[Publisher] Bell Bridge Books / BelleBooks, Inc.

Just bumping the thread up -- anybody heard anything from Belle Books recently? My submission has been with them almost 4 months, so I'm getting a little curious. I wonder what their usual turnaround time is...(I submitted a full back in May).

I know how quiet summer months can be, though -- especially August. *trying hard to wait patiently*

They had my submission for 5 months. Rejection came at the end of July.

Thanks for the info, Twi - sorry about the rejection.

I only know in my case that my last sub ended in an R and the the reason she said was because their list was filled up for 2012, and that to re-sub the book around the beginning of next year. She said they had serious and hefty series commitments that they were in the process of editing and prepping for publication. Did anybody else receive such a rejection notice?

Tri

Oh dear. I submitted last week. Maybe I will resubmit in January if I don't hear anything.

Not to worry--they're still reading and evaluating. Allow them to tell you firsthand--this was only my answer. It could be much different for you, C.bronco.

tri

triceretops said:

Not to worry--they're still reading and evaluating. Allow them to tell you firsthand--this was only my answer. It could be much different for you, C.bronco.

tri

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This is good to know, Tri. They must be busy! *still waiting, even after a polite nudge a month ago...*

I kid you not; I've been submitting to them for at least six years, something like seven titles. They have been slow at times but they have always come through with an answer without having to nudge them. I adore the staff--they're top-notch editors and writers, very exacting and take great pains to produce nothing but the best. They are very, very popular as a small press and when they expanded to include more spec fic, fantasy, SF and YA, they were deluged with submissions and it hasn't let up.

Good luck with your submission.

tri

Thanks for the info, Tri! You've just confirmed what I was hoping. They really seem like a good "fit" for my series, and I've heard wonderful things about them through another writer friend of mine.

I've recently submitted to 14 publishers, but Bell Bridge is still one of my top choices. Can't wait to hear *something* from them! ;-)

Apologies for hogging the thread again, but I just noticed something on their site (I don't think this was there when I submitted, back in May. Hope not. I've submitted to multiple publishers, oops. And it seems their response time has increased. They're busy folks!):


BelleBooks will not accept simultaneous submissions unless agented. The standard processing of submitted manuscripts is 3-6 months. Thank you for your query. (link here)


Just thought this info might help other writers who are looking to submit...

Does anyone know what kind of advances they pay?

I see they have some NYT bestsellers. Can you get their books in actual stores besides online?

Update: Rejection after 6 months. I nudged this morning, and got a form rejection about 2 hours later. *sigh*

Best of luck to those with submissions still out there!

Hi everybody. New guy here.

I've been sniffing out publishers for my 'muskets and demons' fantasy novel and Belle Bridge looks like a good fit. I want a regional publisher with e-presence and BBB keeps coming up. Any new insight or experience with this publisher?

Thank you.

I haven't received a yay or nay from them yet and it's been months. They'll eventually get around to it, I'm sure. but they are very busy, as usual.

tri

Good luck, Tri. I hope they pick you up.

They seem like a good outfit.

Thanks, Rusty. As far as a small press, they're A-listers. They throw down a couple hundred advance per book, from what I know. Maybe more. But their editing is top-gun stuff and the staff all have pro experience.

I submitted my one novel to them Aug. 1st (last year) and heard from Pat Nov 1st saying that my book passed the first reader round and it's now in her queue. She mentioned that it will take several months to get to being that she was super backed up. She told me if I don't hear from her by Jan. then feel free to nudge.

I actually let it go further since I had other things going at the time. But it's been well over the nudging time, so I just emailed her a few days ago. I will let you know if I hear anything. But I really just think they're swamped over there. They get tons and tons of subs and only take in a few. But I've dealt with them before and even though they take a long time, they always respond.

Good luck to everyone! This pub is definitely worth the wait.

Thanks for chiming in Undercover, and good luck to you as well!

I'm very close to submitting; hope to do it tonight. I like everything I hear about Bell Bridge Books. I'd like to work with them.

Well comrades, five minutes ago I fired off my submission. Wish me luck.

Good luck, Rusty, but you've got yourself a wait.

tri

Thanks, Tri. I see the big wait ahead, but I'm happy to have a little breather. It's in the hands of the gods now.

If it helps, and it might not since it confirms the waiting, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Debra Dixon at EPICon March 14-16 and she told the group she was very slow and that she was just into September submissions. So, if you are targeting Debra Dixon, you do have a long wait but as others have said, she will get to you. She has fabulous staff too. Good luck all!

Oh and she, for her, wants some science fiction submissions. In case someone has one in the works or ready.

Oh and she, for her, wants some science fiction submissions. In case someone has one in the works or ready.

That's good to know. I did send one of those in YA.

tri

Cassie Knight said:

If it helps, and it might not since it confirms the waiting, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Debra Dixon at EPICon March 14-16 and she told the group she was very slow and that she was just into September submissions. So, if you are targeting Debra Dixon, you do have a long wait but as others have said, she will get to you. She has fabulous staff too. Good luck all!

Oh and she, for her, wants some science fiction submissions. In case someone has one in the works or ready.

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Thanks for this update! I sent in my submission near the end of September; I was starting to wonder if it got lost in the shuffle

I sent a YA novel 3/20/2013. I guess I will have a long wait.