Apply for Global Distribution through Perfect Bound in Partnership with Simon & Schuster

Perfect Bound is proud to offer distribution services in partnership with Simon & Schuster to all of our member publishers. You may apply for distribution for your entire catalog or choose to enroll in distribution on a title-by-title basis, it's up to you. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Publishers

1. What services does Perfect Bound provide under this agreement?

Perfect Bound offers comprehensive sales, warehousing, fulfillment, customer service, billing and collection services, and other relevant services for all books published by the Publisher in all formats, including print and audio through our partnership with Simon & Schuster.

2. What are the fees associated with Perfect Bound’s distribution services?

• Sales and Distribution Service Fee: Starts at 25% of Net Sales* for print books and physical audio books.

• eBook / eAudio Service Fee: Starts at 15% of Digital Sales for eBooks.

• Remainder/Hurts Service Fee: Starts at 25% of gross sales from remainder/hurt books.

• Inventory Service Fee: $0.02 per unit of inventory per month held by Perfect Bound in Simon & Schuster facilities.

*Net Sales is defined as gross revenue after retailer discount and minus returns.

3. When will enrollment in Perfect Bound's distribution services begin?

Perfect Bound will begin onboarding distribution clients during the early Fall of 2024.

4. What will be Perfect Bound's first front list season that Publishers can catalog?

Perfect Bound Publishers will begin front list distribution for the Fall 2025 Season, with a catalog and sales materials deadline of January 1, 2025. Publishers enrolling later will be assigned initial front-list seasons according to the current sales timeline.

5. What information is required to provide in the application to become a Perfect Bound distribution client?

Publishers applying for distribution through Perfect Bound must provide:

• Corporate name, location and tax number

• Link to your corporate website

• Amazon links for your top 5 titles

• A short description of your company

Note that there are no size or revenue requirements to apply for distribution.

6. How will publishers be vetted for distribution services

Publishers applying for distribution through Perfect Bound will be vetted by our client managers. A short Zoom interview may be requested. The managers are looking to see that your press is well managed, has an active list, is producing high-quality books, and is capable of meeting Perfect Bound and Simon & Schuster publisher requirements.

7. How are returns managed and processed?

Perfect Bound maintains a 25% reserve for returns, held for six months post-sale. The Publisher’s return rules govern disposition, and Perfect Bound processes returns during a six-month grace period following the termination or expiration of the agreement.

8. What are the terms and conditions for the renewal of this agreement?

The agreement lasts for one (1) year and automatically renews for successive one-year terms unless either party provides written notice of intent not to renew at least six months prior to the expiration of the current term. Agreements may be made on the individual title or catalog level.

9. How does Perfect Bound handle bad debt?

The Publisher is liable for its share of the credit risk for bad debts on open invoices and deductions attributable to the sale of distributed works. Actual bad debt write-offs are deducted as specified in the Perfect Bound agreement.

10. What are the Publisher’s obligations regarding product manufacture and delivery?

The Publisher is responsible for delivering copies of the distributed works to Simon & Schuster’s warehouse facilities in agreed quantities and dates, ensuring conformity to Simon & Schuster’s Vendor Guidelines.

11. What happens upon termination of the agreement?

• Perfect Bound discontinues distribution of the distributed works.

• All unfilled orders are forwarded to the Publisher.

• The Publisher instructs Perfect Bound on the disposition of inventory.

• A final accounting is rendered nine months post-termination, with any remaining reserves for returns and coop claims managed accordingly.

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