Our Mission
Stingray Publishing is committed to:
publishing high-quality print and e-books
across a variety of genres
fostering a supportive community for writers
at every stage of their writing journey through
virtual writing circles
providing opportunities for community members to participate in writing contests with cash prizes and to submit their work for potential publication
Our Model
◆ In return, authors agree to a 50-50 split in royalty income from book sales.
◆ The publisher will market new releases by posting on its website and social media outlets, sending email blasts, and making announcements during Writing Circles. The publisher expects authors to partner with publisher to aggressively market their books, as is also the case with traditional publishers.
◆ The Stingray Publishing website will list books for sale with links to order, and highlight each new release, and post author spotlights.
Book Publishing
◆ Stingray Publishing utilizes print-on-demand platforms, i.e., Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, to keep overhead costs to a minimum, maximize royalty margin, and maintain full control of design, pricing, and marketing. Amazon KDP offers global distribution, allowing books to reach readers worldwide in both eBook and print formats, with higher royalty rates than traditional publishers, and IngramSpark is the preferred distributor for both independent and chain bookstores.
◆ Publisher will provide manuscript formatting, cover design, file uploading, price-setting, publishing, and marketing at no cost to authors.
◆ A nominal fee may be charged to participate in Writing Circles, and may include packages (monthly, unlimited, etc.) to cover costs.
◆ Writing Circles provide a venue to promote Stingray Publishing books for sale, and to generate interest in ongoing contests and anthologies.
◆ Facilitators will be offered a stipend; either a flat fee or percentage of revenue generated from sign-ups.
Writing Circles
◆ A community of writers who gather online to write to prompts, share their writing in groups, and receive feedback if requested. Regularly scheduled to include circles for the general public, as well as affinity groups, e.g. Women, Men, LGBTQ+, POC, Teens, to be facilitated by representatives of the respective affinity group.
◆ Authors included in the anthologies will be encouraged and coached to promote the books to their friends, family, and networks. Since these are anthologies, there’s no royalty split among contributors.
◆ Ideally, contests will help build the Writing Circle community and keep participants active and engaged.
◆ Collections of themed short stories, essays, poetry, etc. will also be published and promoted during Writing Circles and social media. Examples of potential themes include “Mamas and Papas,” stories about the joys and heartbreak of parenting; “A Letter to my Ex,” and “On Death and Dying."
Contests, Anthologies
◆ Writing contests representing a variety of genres (poetry, short stories, novellas, essays) will be promoted on the Stingray Publishing website and during Writing Circles.
◆ Winners will be selected by the publisher and included in an upcoming anthology, and will receive prize earnings.
◆ Submission fees will cover the costs of prize earnings and publication.