Frequently Asked Questions

The price of a book is divided among four main agents: the author (5%-10%), the publisher – who assumes the publication costs and the risk -, the distributor (50%-60%) and the bookseller (25%-30%). Each party is involved in getting the book into the hands of the reader.

Bookstores work on a deposit basis, so they can return what is not sold. This generates uncertainty and means that, in the case of authors publishing for the first time, it is common to look for risk-sharing models. Only well-established profiles receive full investment or advances.

There are three main ways of publishing. In the traditional model, the publisher assumes all costs and risks, manages distribution in bookstores and carefully selects its catalog. Exposure in bookstores is never guaranteed: the bookseller decides what to display depending on the space available, the publisher’s recognition and/or the author’s own.

In desktop publishing, the author controls the entire process and finances the project. It is flexible and accessible, but physical distribution is usually non-existent or very limited, and the final quality depends entirely on the author himself and the team he hires.

Hybrid models combine both ways: publisher and author share investment and responsibilities. The publisher provides expertise, professional network and quality standards, while the author participates in the investment to make the project viable.

The ISBN is the ‘DNI’ of the book: it allows it to be identified, catalogued and marketed correctly in bookstores and platforms. For any work intended for sale, it is essential. At BABIDI-BÚ we take care of all the legal management, including obtaining the ISBN and the legal deposit, so that the book reaches the market with all the guarantees.

In traditional distribution, bookstores receive books on deposit: they only pay for the copies sold and return the rest. As they handle hundreds of new titles and have little space, they only display a very small selection. The bookseller decides what to display according to the relevance of the author, the reputation of the publisher and the efficiency of the distributor. Even so, just because a book is not on the shelf does not prevent it from being sold: the bookseller can order it if a reader requests it.

In the online offer, the platforms display their entire catalog, even if they do not have stock. Most of them work to order: the reader buys first and the store orders the copy later. This guarantees permanent visibility, but implies competing with thousands of titles without the direct mediation of a bookseller to recommend the work.

Conclusion: physical distribution depends on the bookseller’s criteria and space; online sales offer unlimited reach, but require working on digital presence. Both channels complement each other and work best when combined.

Deposit sales are the usual system used by physical bookstores. The bookseller receives the copies without paying for them in advance, only pays for the ones he sells and returns the rest through the distributor. Placing books in bookstores does not mean that they are sold: they are simply available, and their sale will depend on the visibility of the title, the bookseller’s recommendations and the author’s promotion.

Firm sales occur when the reader pays for the book, even if the bookstore does not have it in stock. The bookseller orders it from the distributor and delivers it upon receipt. This is also the way online bookstores operate, where the reader buys directly from the digital catalog.

Conclusion: for a book to be physically displayed, a deposit agreement is required; for it to be available for sale, it is enough for the bookstore -physical or online- to be able to order it firmly.

The price of a book is defined on the basis of all the costs involved in its creation and production. In addition to royalties (usually between 5%-10% of the RRP), there are fixed costs -correction, illustration, layout and legal formalities-, variable printing costs (which usually represent around 25% of the RRP) and editorial maintenance costs. The total sum is divided by the expected number of copies to obtain the cost per unit.

From this unit cost, the publisher applies a multiplier coefficient (usually between 5 and 6) to set the final price. From this, the bookseller’s ( 25-30%) and distributor’ s (50-60%) margins are then distributed. Although it may seem otherwise, a publisher’s net margin is usually only 5%-10%, which is used to support the catalog and cover returns.

You can see a detailed example of the calculation here

In the traditional model, the price of a book is divided among four agents. The author receives between 5% and 10%. The publisher covers all costs and assumes the initial risk. The distributor gets 50%-60% and the bookseller 25%-30%.

It is a system designed to cover all the stages necessary for a book to reach the reader’s hands.

We are in a process of constant exploration. Beyond fads, we see a strong trend towards books that address emotional management, diversity, inclusion and care for the planet. However, our priority will always be to publish timeless stories of high literary quality, regardless of whether or not they follow a passing trend.

That’s the million-dollar question. There are no magic formulas, but there are key ingredients: an authentic story, relatable characters and a universal message. Our editorial committee has extensive experience in detecting that special something. In addition, during the proofreading and editing process, we make sure that the language and structure are just right to grab young readers.

The reader’s age determines the type of language, the complexity of the story and the style of the illustrations. If you are not sure about the appropriate range, that’s okay: our editorial team will guide you to fit it in the range that best suits your work and its message.

The key lies in our clear and coherent philosophy. We are a publishing house specialized in children’s and young adult literature, with more than ten years of experience and endorsed by different public institutions, which allows us to work in depth on content, language and the real needs of young readers. We are committed to books with values, stories that educate and accompany.

Our relationship with authors is based on honesty and transparency, offering a close relationship at every stage of the process. We take care of quality with durable editions -hard cover, stitched, high grammage paper- and we work with first class professionals. In addition, we follow a sustainable model, which allows new authors to access a professional publishing process by sharing part of the risk.

Our heart beats for stories that go beyond entertainment. We prioritize works that transmit human, social and cultural values.

We believe in the power of stories to foster equal opportunity, diversity, empathy, respect for nature and critical thinking. We seek books that become tools for parents and educators, and life companions for children.

At BABIDI-BÚ we are committed to new talents, but we are not a self-publishing platform. We carry out a very careful selection process because our seal is a guarantee of quality. We look for works that move us and that fit our values: stories with soul, that transmit human, social and cultural principles. We want to publish literary gems that leave a positive impression on young readers.

Ideally, you should send us your manuscript in a standard text format, such as a Microsoft Word document (.docx). This facilitates the work of our editorial team during the evaluation and proofreading phase. However, don’t worry about the technical details; if your project is selected, we will assign you a person within the publishing house who will guide you step by step.

Nothing would make us happier! Our goal is not to publish a single book, but to build literary careers. The 5-year renewable contract reflects that long-term commitment and our willingness to grow with our authors.

If you already have several manuscripts and you doubt which one to start with, send them to us: we will evaluate them with you and help you decide how to start your journey in the best way. Accompanying you on your second, third – and all the books you have in you – is the best sign of a shared success.

Of course we do! We believe that the connection between text and image is magical. You can choose from our incredible portfolio of over 150 collaborating illustrators or, if you prefer, our design team will help you find the perfect style for your story. We want you to fall in love with the illustrations as much as with your words.

At BABIDI-BÚ we deeply value the work of illustrators. When the illustration depends on the publisher, we collaborate only with professionals and they receive their corresponding royalties as creators of the graphic part. Their artistic contribution is essential to maintain the quality and standards of our catalog.

When authors come to us with their own illustrations or those of external collaborators – including those created with AI tools – we respect their creative freedom. We do not impose techniques: we evaluate quality, appropriateness for children and young audiences, and consistency with editorial values. If illustrations have been fully or partially generated with AI, we indicate this transparently in the credits.

In short, we defend professional work, we respect all techniques, we are totally clear with the reader and we value each work for its overall quality and its contribution to young readers.

If you want to know more about our positioning, check our complete policy here.

The process begins with proofreading, where we review your final manuscript and send you the corrected text in about 3-4 weeks. If your work needs images, we continue with the illustration, choosing the illustrator with you and approving sketches, color and storyboard. If you provide external illustrations, we verify that they meet the technical requirements.

With texts and images closed, we move on to the layout, where we design interiors and covers. Then we generate the final artwork, the definitive files for printing. Production takes about 6 weeks and you can start moving your book as soon as you receive your copies.

From the moment it goes to press, we activate the distribution, working to give visibility to your work in the different sales channels. The launch date is usually set one month after the delivery of copies, which allows us to organize actions, prepare materials and coordinate presentations. For promotion, we design a plan with you that is tailored to your work: events, online visibility and recommended activities.

Finally, we provide you with information on sales and royalties, with monthly placement reports and an annual settlement.

The creation of a book involves many professionals and requires constant coordination. So that you can follow each phase clearly, at BABIDI-BÚ we use Demeter, our online platform, where all communication is centralized. From there you can review files, approve or request changes and keep an orderly history of each step.

In addition, you will have an assigned editorial liaison, who will be aware of everything related to your work. You will be able to contact him or her whenever you need to solve doubts, go deeper into any stage or coordinate any action outside the platform.

At BABIDI-BÚ, the process from the approval of the manuscript to the delivery of the copies usually takes between 6 and 9 months. This period includes professional proofreading (about 4 weeks), the illustration phase (variable according to each project), design and layout (approx. 8 weeks) and printing production (about 6 weeks).

During all these stages, the author participates actively, reviewing and validating each step. The creation of a book is a meticulous and coordinated work, and -like all good magic- it takes time to unfold with quality.

Of course. Distributors send us monthly reports on books placed in bookstores. You can consult this provisional information at any time through your publishing liaison. The annual royalty settlement, however, is based on firm sales, i.e. those that have already exceeded the 6-month return period. Transparency on this point is total.

The reader usually decides between two very common paths. Impulse buying is influenced by the cover, an eye-catching review, the bookseller’s recommendation and, without always being noticed, the publisher’s reputation. This is all part of the professional job of designing and presenting a work so that it stands out in seconds.

When buying on recommendation, someone suggests it because they enjoyed it. This happens when the text is well corrected, well laid out and, in the case of children’s literature, accompanied by coherent and quality illustrations. Even authors with thousands of readers trust editorial teams because they know that the final quality is not improvised.

In a saturated market, it is not enough to write well: standing out depends on presenting your work at the highest professional level.

Metadata is the technical data and short texts that accompany a book on online platforms and in the databases of bookstores, distributors and media. They are essential to make a work visible, easy to find and understandable at a glance for readers, booksellers and algorithms. They are used in commercial cards, back covers, networks and catalogs, and convey its tone, values, target audience, in addition to improving search engine positioning.

Commercial metadata are brief, but decisive: they are often the first – and sometimes the only – thing a reader consults before choosing a book: synopsis, values, author biography, hook phrase, rating, etc.

Nobody knows a work better than its author, and at BABIDI-BÚ we work on the basis of your initial proposal, polishing and refining each text to ensure the best commercial performance of the work.

Many authors think that their work ends when they deliver the manuscript, but in reality this is when the most important part begins: making the work known. The publisher accompanies, but the author is key.

If your goal is to grow as an author, you will need to work on your personal brand, generate community, take care of your presence in networks and participate in events. Talent is not enough: you need perseverance, visibility and the desire to move your book. Just as in music, those who go far are those who get involved from the beginning.

At BABIDI-BÚ we support you every step of the way, but the strongest connection with readers always comes from the one who created the story.

Publishing a book is only the first step. For your work to reach readers, it needs visibility, strategy and, above all, human connection. In the children’s field, it is important to remember that those who read are not always those who buy, so it is key to differentiate between your buying public (families, teachers, blogs, networks, schools) and your reading public (children in storytelling, school activities, specialized bookstores, fairs…).

Your task is to generate interest on several fronts: through your own channels (social networks, WhatsApp, email, presentations), in the channels that your audience already listens to (blogs, NGOs, teachers, libraries, specialized communities), and even exploring paid options if you want to reinforce your visibility. Don’t forget the commercial channel, approaching bookstores and alternative points of sale to propose activities and publicize your work.

Knowing your audience, moving with intention and creating real links is what will make your story circulate. For a book to be read, someone has to talk about it… and no one can start that journey better than its author.

Your work will be available for order in more than 5,000 bookstores in Spain through our network of professional distributors, as well as in the main online platforms such as Amazon, Casa del Libro, Fnac or El Corte Inglés. However, it is important to make the distinction between availability and physical presence: all points of sale can request the book on deposit and display it at their point of sale without running any risk, but the final decision to do so or not always corresponds to the bookseller.

We recommend visiting bookstores in your area to present your work and reinforce our commercial work. Personal connection remains one of the most effective ways to open doors and generate visibility.

We’re in this together! We provide you with the book and author’s website, digital signage, merchandising materials, literary file, Issuu preview, press release, support in the organization of events -both in bookstores and alternative spaces-, option to activate a presale, publicity, presentation to influencers, and much more.

The publisher drives the visibility of the book in bookstores, distributors, media and prescribers, but success is built between both sides. While we work on professional marketing, it is essential that the author reinforces this work by creating community, sharing the work, generating conversation, moving events and connecting directly with their audience.

Our goal is simple: that our authors go as far as they want to go.

Of course! It is a fundamental part of the launch. We get in touch with bookstores and cultural spaces in your area to organize presentation events, storytelling, etc. Your involvement is key to bring people together and make that day a real literary party.

Reviews are pure gold, and the best strategy is to combine several actions. In the immediate environment, it is useful to ask the first readers – family, friends or colleagues – to leave an honest appraisal. On a professional level, you can send copies to children’s literature blogs, educational or parenting influencers, and specialized media. And in your community, generating conversation in networks, sharing excerpts or experiences and encouraging real readers to give their opinion will help the book gain visibility and credibility.

Yes, as an author you can use the illustrations for promotional purposes. You can share them on social networks, include them in posters for events or use them in press releases. However, you cannot market them separately, modify them or use them in another work without express authorization, since the exploitation rights belong to the publisher and the authorship rights belong to the illustrator.

Yes, but with important nuances! Your book will be available on Amazon through our distributor, which guarantees that the reader will always receive the correct product and with the established editorial quality. Additionally, as an author, you can also sell your own copies – the ones you purchase from the publisher – using Amazon’s Marketplace. What you cannot do is upload the book on your own to the platform as if it were self-published.

Each book is a unique universe, so we do not work with fixed rates. The cost varies according to factors such as length, format, number of illustrations, type of cover, print run, etc.

At BABIDI-BÚ, we adopt a sustainable publishing model, which means that, given our commitment to new authors, we ask for a participation in the initial investment through a minimum purchase of copies.

After analyzing your work, we will prepare a personalized and transparent budget, always looking for the best relation between quality, cost and commercial projection.

We believe in fair and transparent distribution. Our royalty model is designed to benefit the first-time author as follows:

-Salesin bookstores and online: You receive 10% of the RRP, which is the standard in the traditional publishing sector.

-Saleson our own website: As there are no intermediaries, 50% of the PVP goes to you.

–Direct sales: At presentations, fairs or through your own website, 100% of the profits are for you!

The first print run is calculated based on the viability of the project. After a first test with our distributors to measure the commercial interest, the publisher prints and delivers at its own risk to the professional channel the necessary units for a successful launch, always guaranteeing a minimum. In addition, we provide you with the necessary units and tools so that you too can start promoting your work.

It’s not about printing thousands of copies, but about finding the right balance that allows you to recover your investment and generate profits quickly. The initial amount you receive, within the co-publishing model, helps you to recover your investment through direct sales and to build your community of readers. If sales go well, we will reprint before we run out of circulating units, and when you run out of copies, you can order more without any problem.

Yes, our collaborative publishing model requires a minimum purchase of copies by the author. But don’t see it as an obligation, but as an investment in your own project. It is the formula that allows us to share risks and bet on emerging talent without sacrificing quality. With the sale of those copies, you will not only recover your contribution, but you will take the first steps to build your brand as a writer.

The fastest and most effective way to recover your investment is through the direct sale of the copies you have purchased. Since there are no intermediaries, you keep 100% of the profit from these sales, which accelerates the return on your investment.

We take care of putting the book on the market and working on its visibility in the professional channel, but the success of a new author depends to a great extent on his or her involvement and the generation of a community around his or her work. We will provide you with all the tools and training you need to become the best ambassador of your book, remembering that no one will talk about your book with the passion that you will, and that a literary career is a long-distance race!

One of our biggest guarantees is that your book will never be out of print during the contract period. If you need more copies for your direct sales, you can request them from us at any time. Depending on the quantity, we will apply the same discounts on the RRP as for the professional channel, i.e. wholesale price. We want your book to keep flying!

The publishing contract is a mutual commitment from the moment it is signed. Canceling a project halfway through is not a desirable option, since time, resources and professional work have been invested by then. For this reason, we always prioritize constant communication to resolve any doubts and continue moving forward together.

However, either party may terminate the contract by written notice. The economic conditions and possible reimbursements will depend on the cause and the moment of the process in which the termination occurs, as detailed in the contract. The objective is that everything is managed with transparency and security, avoiding surprises.

Absolutely! It’ s our only way of working. Each project is analyzed individually by our editorial committee. We will study your manuscript, its needs (illustration, format) and its commercial potential in order to offer you a tailor-made, detailed quote with no surprises.

We specialize in hardcover books and sewn binding, working with standard formats ranging from 170 × 240 mm to the large format of 270 × 210 mm. Even so, we are not closed to anything: if your project needs a customized format, our team will study it to make it a reality with the highest quality.

To guarantee the best results, we work exclusively with specialized printers in the publishing sector and professionally calibrated machines.

It is important to know that the colors you see on screen(RGB) will never be identical to those printed on paper(CMYK). In addition, between different print runs, it is generally accepted in the printing industry the possibility of a small margin of color variation, due to factors such as paper composition, printing machine, ambient temperature… In any case, the final result will always be vibrant and of high quality.

Quality is our hallmark. For hardcover books we always use sewn binding, which guarantees exceptional durability and a perfect opening, along with heavyweight paper (170 gr) so that the illustrations look spectacular and resist continuous use.

In the soft cover books, we add flaps to give more body and we take care of the choice of paper according to the characteristics and needs of each work.

Yes, they are necessary to guarantee a quality result . If you already have an illustrator, our design team will advise you on all technical requirements: size, minimum resolution of 300 dpi, safety margins (bleed), color mode (CMYK), among others. In this way, we ensure that all artwork meets printing standards and avoid surprises during production.

Your involvement in the illustration phase is total. Before the illustrator does any final illustrations, you will have approved the character design, color palette and storyboard (sketches of each page), making sure the style fits your vision.

The change of illustrator is only possible during this initial sketching phase. Once the style is approved, the work is developed relying on the illustrator’s criteria and professionalism. Even so, you will continue to be an active part of the process and everything will move forward with your approval, although at this stage substantial changes in the artistic approach will no longer be possible.

Deméter is our online operations center, an exclusive platform for authors where all communication and workflow is centralized. Through it you will be able to review and approve each phase of the process (proofreading, layout, final artwork), download files and consult a complete history of the entire project. This is the tool we use to guarantee transparency and your active participation from start to finish.

We know that the first steps are not always easy, so you will not be alone. In addition to Demeter, each author has an editorial liaison, a reference person who accompanies you throughout the process, resolves doubts and coordinates with the various professionals involved. This way we combine technology and human treatment so that the path is clear and accompanied.

Once you approve the layout, the book goes to the final artwork stage, where the files are prepared for printing. Making changes at this stage is risky and complex, and may involve additional costs. Therefore, we ask you to review the layout carefully before approving it and send us all changes at once.

Although we work with the best professionals and under normalized quality standards, some occasional incidents may occur. If you detect defects in printing, binding or in the delivery of your copies (badly cut pages, ink stains, bumps, etc.), you have 14 days to notify us. You must send us an email with photos of the defect and the number of copies affected. Once the case has been evaluated, we will arrange for the collection and replacement of the defective books.

We are committed to publishing that is open to new reading habits, which is why we also contemplate the possibility of adapting and publishing books in eBook and audiobook formats, extending their reach beyond paper. We accompany authors who wish to explore new formats and ways of dissemination, and we continue to learn and evolve to respond to a constantly changing publishing market.

Yes, this is one of the new formats we are working on. If you want to bring your story to life through the voice of professional narrators, we can explore this exciting possibility together and offer you a budget for it.

Our distribution network is especially strong in Spain, working in Spanish, Catalan, Basque, Galician and Valencian, although we publish books in any language. In addition, we are seeing growing interest and sales of bilingual books -especially for educational purposes- and works in other languages. In the last few years we have also extended agreements that facilitate our reach to Latin America and the United States, and opened a branch office in Italy.

Translation is not a standard service, but if the project requires it or a specific opportunity arises, we will be happy to accompany you, assess the challenge or put you in touch with trusted professionals to keep your book growing.

We are passionate about innovation. Although it is not part of our standard service, we are always open to explore special projects that integrate new technologies. If your idea is groundbreaking and fits with our values, we’d love to hear it!

Yes! We are starting to shape original soundtracks and songs designed to accompany some books. The idea is simple: to add emotion and create a more complete experience, especially for children.

Music helps to reinforce the story, capture attention and generate memories, and can also be used in presentations, storytelling, events or promotional actions. It is a path that we are exploring with great enthusiasm and that opens up new ways to connect with readers.