Kirkdale Press Review – The Right Christian Publisher For You?

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Posted by P.J McNulty

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As a Christian author, finding a publisher that truly understands your vision and message can be a challenge.

With countless options available, it’s essential to choose one that aligns with your mission while offering the flexibility and support to help you succeed.

Kirkdale Press presents itself as a digital-first Christian publisher, but does it really provide the services you need to bring your book to life? Let’s take a closer look.

What is Kirkdale Press?

Kirkdale Press is a digital-first publisher, specializing in Christian literature, and operates as an imprint of Logos Bible Software.

Launched to leverage Logos’ 20 years of experience in the Christian publishing space, Kirkdale Press focuses primarily on publishing works that align with Christian living, theology, and faith-based inspiration.

They aim to strengthen the relationship between readers and God, with their catalog emphasizing books that increase biblical literacy and encourage active engagement with Christian teachings​.

Unlike many self-publishing platforms, Kirkdale Press follows a selective, traditional publishing model.

This means they carefully curate their authors, typically favoring voices within Christian fiction and non-fiction genres. Their close association with Logos Bible Software gives them a unique advantage in digital book distribution, especially within the Christian market​.

What does Kirkdale Press offer?

Kirkdale Press offers a range of digital publishing services tailored for Christian authors. These include:

  • eBook Publishing

    Kirkdale focuses primarily on digital formats, ensuring broad distribution across platforms such as Kindle, iBooks, Nook, and Google Books. However, the lack of emphasis on print might not appeal to authors seeking both physical and digital versions.
  • Targeted Distribution

    Their books are distributed not only on mainstream eBook platforms but also through Logos’ proprietary Vyrso eBook reader, a tool designed specifically for Christian content. While this niche focus can benefit authors aiming for a faith-based audience, it may limit the reach compared to more general publishers​.
  • Royalties-Based Compensation

    Kirkdale follows a traditional model where there are no upfront costs to authors. Instead, they work on a royalty-sharing basis, which means authors are paid based on book sales. While this is standard for many traditional publishers, it offers less control than a self-publishing platform might​.

These offerings can suit some authors but may not provide the comprehensive services or control that others—especially those seeking print options or more marketing support—might expect.

How much does Kirkdale Press cost?

Kirkdale Press operates under a traditional royalty-based publishing model, which means authors do not have to pay any upfront fees to publish their books. However, this arrangement often comes with significant downsides for authors.

Since royalties are only paid out after book sales occur, many authors may not see any income for months, or in some cases, ever. With tight profit margins in the Christian book market and Kirkdale’s selective publishing process, it can be difficult for authors to break through and achieve substantial sales.

While the initial lack of cost may seem appealing, the long-term financial impact can be far greater than expected.

Unlike self-publishing platforms where authors retain more control and a higher percentage of sales, Kirkdale Press authors relinquish a significant portion of their profits.

Over time, this can add up to far more lost revenue, making the traditional model much costlier for authors who don’t have the immediate commercial success necessary to make the royalties model worthwhile.

Pros and Cons of Kirkdale Press

Kirkdale Press presents some benefits for Christian authors looking for a traditional publishing path, but there are significant trade-offs as well.

While the digital-first approach and focus on Christian content are strengths, the limitations in control, earnings, and market reach are important considerations.

Below, we break down the key pros and cons to help you evaluate whether Kirkdale Press aligns with your publishing goals.

Pros of Kirkdale Press

While Kirkdale Press offers several potential advantages for Christian authors, these benefits come with certain limitations that authors should carefully consider.

  1. No Upfront Costs

    Unlike many self-publishing platforms, Kirkdale Press requires no upfront payments from authors. However, this means profits depend entirely on book sales, which may be slow or minimal, making it less appealing for authors seeking immediate returns.
  2. Targeted Niche Market

    Kirkdale Press focuses on Christian content, providing a direct route into the faith-based market. However, this niche focus may also limit the audience size, making it harder for books to achieve widespread success.
  3. Digital Distribution

    With a strong digital-first focus, Kirkdale ensures that books are available on major platforms like Kindle, iBooks, and Logos’ own Vyrso reader. However, the lack of print options could restrict authors looking for a broader publishing strategy.
  4. Association with Logos Bible Software

    Being part of Logos Bible Software gives authors a direct line to an established Christian audience. Still, the narrow focus on Christian living and theology can limit opportunities for broader author exposure.

Cons of Kirkdale Press

Despite some appealing aspects, Kirkdale Press has several drawbacks that could make it less attractive to many authors, especially those looking for flexibility and control over their publishing journey.

  1. Limited Market Reach
    By focusing predominantly on the Christian market, Kirkdale’s reach is relatively narrow. This can limit your book’s exposure compared to broader publishing platforms that cater to a wider audience.
  2. No Print-on-Demand Option
    Kirkdale Press is digital-first, with no print-on-demand option. Authors seeking physical copies of their books for events or personal distribution will find this a significant limitation.
  3. Selective Publishing Process
    Kirkdale Press is highly selective in the types of books it publishes, prioritizing established voices and specific theological perspectives. This means many authors will face challenges in being accepted.
  4. Long Wait for Royalties
    As royalties are based on book sales, authors may wait months before seeing any financial return, if at all. This model can be particularly frustrating for new authors who are eager to start earning income from their work.
  5. Lower Profit Margins
    Traditional publishers like Kirkdale Press take a significant portion of book sales through royalties. While this is standard for traditional publishing, authors often earn less than they would through self-publishing.
  6. Limited Author Control
    In line with most traditional publishers, Kirkdale Press retains significant control over the publishing process. Authors have limited say over pricing, marketing, and distribution, which may hinder their ability to tailor their book’s success to their needs.

This combination of pros and cons makes Kirkdale Press an option to consider cautiously, especially for authors who value control over their publishing journey or seek quicker returns.

Alternatives to Kirkdale Press

While Kirkdale Press offers a unique focus on Christian digital publishing, it’s important to consider other options to ensure you’re choosing the best path for your book. Below are a few traditional Christian publishers that may seem appealing but come with their own set of challenges. The final option offers more control and flexibility, which could make it the best alternative for many authors.

  1. Thomas Nelson
    Thomas Nelson is one of the largest Christian publishers and offers wide market reach. However, getting a book deal with such a prominent publisher is highly competitive, and the traditional model means authors may face long wait times and limited control over their book’s production and marketing.
  2. WestBow Press
    As a self-publishing division of Thomas Nelson, WestBow Press gives authors more control but at a cost. While it offers print and digital publishing options, many authors have found that the service packages can be expensive, and results often don’t justify the investment, especially for those new to the publishing world.
  3. Zondervan
    Zondervan is another established Christian publisher with a long history in the industry. However, similar to Kirkdale Press, Zondervan focuses heavily on a select niche of Christian content, and the traditional publishing model means authors will still face challenges in terms of royalties and marketing support.
  4. Selfpublishing.com
    Selfpublishing.com provides an entirely different approach, putting control into the hands of the author. Not only do you retain more of your profits, but you also have the flexibility to control how your book is marketed and distributed. With access to expert resources and educational support, authors are better positioned for long-term success without the limitations imposed by traditional publishers.

Why Authors Should Consider Selfpublishing.com Instead of Kirkdale Press

When comparing the services of Kirkdale Press to selfpublishing.com, authors looking to maintain control, flexibility, and greater profits are likely to find selfpublishing.com a more appealing choice. Below are three key reasons why authors may be better off choosing the self-publishing route.

  1. More Control Over the Publishing Process
    With selfpublishing.com, you have full control over every aspect of your book—from cover design to marketing strategies. Unlike traditional publishers like Kirkdale Press, you aren’t limited by their specific processes or niche focus. This allows for a more personalized and effective publishing strategy that suits your book and your goals.
  2. Higher Profit Margins
    Instead of sharing royalties with a traditional publisher, selfpublishing.com allows you to keep a larger percentage of your book sales. While Kirkdale Press may seem like a low-cost option due to its royalty model, the long-term financial benefits of self-publishing can far outweigh the potential earnings from traditional publishing.
  3. Comprehensive Author Support
    Selfpublishing.com offers educational resources, marketing tools, and ongoing support throughout your publishing journey. This contrasts with Kirkdale Press, where the level of support can be limited to what fits within their traditional model. With selfpublishing.com, authors have access to a community and resources that ensure they’re fully prepared for success.

Kirkdale Press Review – Final Thoughts

While Kirkdale Press offers a solid option for authors focused on Christian digital publishing, the limitations in control, earnings, and market reach make it less suitable for many modern authors. Traditional publishing models like this one may seem appealing at first, but they often leave authors waiting for royalties and with little control over their own work. For authors who value flexibility and greater financial returns, self-publishing through platforms like selfpublishing.com could provide a far more beneficial route to success.

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