What kind of books does Blair publish?
Blair focuses on general trade books about the Southeastern United States, with a strong emphasis on coastal N.C., S.C., and Georgia and the Appalachian region. We primarily publish nonfiction titles in the areas of travel, history, biography, folklore, and cooking. We publish only one or two works of fiction each year, and our fiction must be based in the South. We do NOT publish poetry, children’s books, collections of newspaper columns, short-story collections, essay collections, or science fiction. See our manuscript guidelines for more details.

If you don’t publish children’s books, why are there children’s books listed on your website?
Blair does not publish children’s books, but we distribute some children’s books produced by other publishers. You can read about these other publishers at distribution clients. To submit a work to one of our distributed publishers, you need to contact them directly.

Does Blair accept unsolicited manuscripts?
Yes, but please read our manuscript guidelines to learn how to format your submission.

Can I speak to someone at Blair about my manuscript?
Blair selects its publications through an acquisitions committee. Because we have a small staff that needs to focus on producing the books we have chosen, no one here is available to speak with a prospective author personally.

Will you accept a submission via fax or email?
No, if you fax or email a query, it will just delay the process of going through our acquisitions committee.

If I send in my submission, how long does it take to get a response?
It usually takes 6-8 weeks to go through our process. If you wish to get a response, make sure you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or an email address in your cover letter.

I have a book that I self-published, but it now needs to be reprinted. Would Blair buy the rights to my book?
Because Blair needs the initial spurt of sales when a book is first released, we do not publish books that have been printed previously.

If Blair doesn’t want my book, can you suggest where to go next?
You can refer to books such as Literary Marketplace and Writer’s Market, which should be available in your local library’s reference section.

How do I get an agent, a freelance editor, or a ghostwriter?
You might contact the North Carolina Writers’ Network.

Does John F. Blair offer any editorial, design, or production services for hire?
John F. Blair, Publisher, does have a Special Projects Division. Potential projects are reviewed and accepted on an individual basis. We prefer subsidized projects from museums, firms, and organizations, and we prefer to be involved in the entire production process. If your project meets the above criteria, please email Angela Harwood, special projects director, at harwood@blairpub.com .

What is the difference between a publisher and a printer?
A printer does the actual physical printing and binding of books, journals, advertisements, etc., and is paid by the person or company requiring the printing. A publisher chooses what to publish and enters a contractual agreement with an author for the right to publish their work. The publisher has staff that edits, designs, proofreads, prepares the work for the printer, and provides marketing and publicity to promote the finished work. When an author hires a printer to print his or her book, that book is considered a self-published work.

How do I get a copyright for my manuscript?
All work is automatically copyrighted as soon as it is written. If you want to formally take out a copyright on your work, you will need to contact the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. For more information, see www.copyright.gov.  If your work is accepted for publication, then the publisher usually obtains the copyright for you. To reproduce copyrighted material, you must have permission from the publisher.

How do I receive permission for using or reproducing part of a John F. Blair book?
Please see our copyright and permissions page on this website for detailed instructions. Permission is required if you plan on reproducing any part of a copyrighted title in any form.

Where can I buy Blair books?
All books published or distributed by Blair are available at or through your local bookstore. They can also be purchased at most online booksellers, as well as right here on blairpub.com .  If you are a retailer or wholesaler interested in carrying Blair books, please contact Carolyn Sakowski at 800-222-9796 or sakowski@blairpub.com.

Can I buy books at your office?
You can, but we're not a retail bookstore, so we'd appreciate a phone call in advance of your arrival. We accept VISA or MasterCard. We can accept cash, but since we may not have change, we prefer that you pay with a credit card or personal check. We are located at 1406 Plaza Drive in Winston-Salem; please call 336-768-1374 for directions.

What is John F. Blair’s returns policy?
If you are an individual with a defective book, please call 800-222-9796. If you are a bookseller or wholesaler, please email Carolyn Sakowski at sakowski@blairpub.com for terms.

What is a distributed publisher?
In addition to publishing our own books, Blair sells titles published by other independent Southeastern presses.  We are the exclusive outlet for these titles to wholesalers and retailers throughout the country.

How can I get in touch with one of your distributed publishers? How do I set up events with their authors? Can I buy books directly from them?
You can reach the publishers we distribute by visiting this page and following the link to the desired publisher. To set up an event with one of their authors, you need to contact that publisher directly. To order their books, however, you must contact Blair.

Whom do I contact if I want to host an author event for a Blair author?
Please contact Carolyn Sakowski, at 800-222-9796 or sakowski@blairpub.com.

How can I find out if an author is doing a book signing near me?
Please see our events  page.

How can I contact an author?
You can send a note to 1406 Plaza Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or send an email to byerly@blairpub.com, and it will be forwarded to the author. We cannot give out the contact information of any author.

Why do your books have two ISBNs?
On January 1, 2007, the book industry switched from 10-digit ISBNs (International Standard Book Number) to 13-digit ISBNs. To allow for lag time while booksellers and others adjust to the new 13-digit ISBNs, Blair continues to also list the 10-digit numbers.

Where can I find Blair titles that are out of print?
Many of our OP titles can be found at online bookselling sites and used bookstores across the country.

How do I get a copy of your catalog?
You can request a catalog here or by calling Blair at 800-222-9796.

Whom do I contact to get a review copy or press materials?
Please contact the director of publicity, Kim Byerly, at 800-222-9796 or byerly@blairpub.com.

Does Blair offer internship opportunities?
Yes. John F. Blair, Publisher, offers two semester-long internship positions during the academic year, in addition to a summer internship program. All internships are unpaid. Blair interns work primarily within our sales and marketing division but will also gain experience in other aspects of the independent publishing business. An internship at Blair is a great way to learn about publishing from the ground up in a relaxed environment.

How do I apply for a Blair internship?
We are looking for motivated individuals over the age of eighteen. To learn more about the Blair internship program, visit the internship page.

Is Blair hiring?
Any current employment opportunities at Blair will be posted on our website.