Texas Indie Authors Collection - Program Terms & Conditions
Consignment Agreement
Thank you for your interest in participating in the Beyond the Covers Texas Indie Authors Collection! This program was created to introduce readers to incredible independently published Texas authors while helping support local creators and communities through the Beyond the Covers Bookmobile.
This agreement outlines the expectations for both Beyond the Covers LLC ("Beyond the Covers") and the participating author ("Author").
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1. Program Overview
The Texas Indie Authors Collection is a curated selection of independently published books featured aboard the Beyond the Covers Bookmobile.
Accepted titles receive:
- Face-out display in the Texas Indie Authors Collection (one featured title per author)
- Author photo and biography displayed alongside the featured title
- Recognition of the book's cover designer (with permission)
- Promotion through Beyond the Covers' social media and marketing efforts
- Optional signed copies
Additional accepted titles by the same author may also be carried aboard the bookmobile but will be shelved within their appropriate genre rather than the featured display.
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2. Consignment Term
The initial consignment period is six (6) months.
At the conclusion of the six-month term, Beyond the Covers may:
- Renew the featured title
- Rotate a different title by the same author into the featured collection
- Rotate the title back to general inventory shelving
- Return remaining inventory
Renewals are based on sales performance, available space, inventory reliability, and the overall goals of maintaining a diverse and engaging collection.
3. Commission & Payments
Books remain the property of the Author until sold.
For each sale:
- Author receives 70% of the retail selling price (set by author).
- Beyond the Covers retains 30%.
Beyond the Covers' commission covers:
- Credit card processing fees
- Store operations
- Marketing
- Bookmobile operating expenses
- Storewide promotions and loyalty discounts offered at Beyond the Covers' discretion
Beyond the Covers will additionally collect and remit state sales tax.
If an author wishes to offer a personal promotional discount to their own readers, Beyond the Covers is happy to create a unique discount code. Any discount associated with an author-specific promotion will be deducted from the Author's portion of the sale.
Payments will be issued monthly for all sales from the previous calendar month, by the 5th of the month.
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4. Inventory
Authors are responsible for supplying inventory.
Beyond the Covers will generally stock up to five (5) copies of a featured title at any one time.
When inventory reaches one remaining copy, Beyond the Covers will notify the Author.
Replacement inventory should be delivered or shipped within seven (7) days whenever possible to avoid interruptions in availability.
If replacement inventory is not received within a reasonable time frame, Beyond the Covers may temporarily remove the title from display and utilize the space for another featured author.
Books remain the property of the Author until sold.
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5. Pricing
The retail price for each title will be agreed upon before inventory is accepted.
Beyond the Covers reserves the right to run storewide promotions.
Authors will not be charged for discounts applied during general Beyond the Covers promotions.
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6. Bookshop.org Availability
At this time, Beyond the Covers does not offer online ordering or direct shipping through its website.
Customers wishing to purchase a title after it has sold out, or who are unable to visit the bookmobile in person, will be directed to Beyond the Covers' Bookshop.org storefront whenever possible.
Authors who would like their books to remain available for purchase outside the bookmobile should ensure their titles are available through Bookshop.org's wholesale distribution network.
Authors can make their books available through Bookshop.org by utilizing one of Bookshop.org's supported distribution options, including Ingram, Bookazine, or Amazon KDP Expanded Distribution.
Additional information is available here:
https://support.bookshop.org/en/support/solutions/articles/65000169808-i-m-a-self-published-author-how-do-i-add-my-book-to-bookshop-org-s-platform-
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7. Marketing Materials
The Author grants Beyond the Covers permission to use:
- Book cover images
- Author photograph
- Author biography
- Book description
- Social media handles
- Website links
for the purpose of promoting the Texas Indie Authors Collection and the Beyond the Covers Bookmobile.
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8. Cover Artist Credit
Beyond the Covers believes the artists behind our books deserve recognition.
Authors are encouraged to provide the name of their cover designer along with any website or social media information they would like displayed.
The Author is responsible for obtaining permission from the cover artist before providing contact information for public display.
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9. AI Disclosure & Standards
Beyond the Covers believes readers value transparency in how books are created.
Authors are required to disclose any use of generative artificial intelligence ("AI") in the creation of a submitted work, including but not limited to:
- Manuscript writing or text generation
- Cover artwork or illustrations
- Interior artwork
- Marketing or promotional materials included with the book (e.g. bookmarks, character art, stickers)
Failure to accurately disclose AI use may result in immediate removal from the Texas Indie Authors Collection and termination of this agreement.
Disclosure does not automatically disqualify a title from consideration. However, Beyond the Covers reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion, whether a title aligns with the values and curatorial goals of the Texas Indie Authors Collection. This includes the right to decline or remove titles based on the nature or extent of AI involvement in the creative process.
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10. Book Condition
Authors should provide clean, new, saleable copies.
Beyond the Covers will exercise reasonable care while displaying and transporting inventory but cannot guarantee against ordinary browsing wear, accidental damage, theft, or loss.
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11. Termination
Either party may terminate this agreement with reasonable written notice.
Unsold inventory will be returned to the Author upon termination.
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12. Acceptance
By signing below, both parties agree to the terms of this consignment agreement.
Author
Name: ___________________________
Signature: _______________________
Date: ____________________________
Beyond the Covers LLC
Representative: __________________
Signature: _______________________
Date: ____________________________