Welcome to Bell Cow Productions!

A Leader in Book Marketing

What's a "bell cow"?

A bell cow is the one bovine in the herd that gets to wear the bell and lead the herd—a position of honor (or, depending on your perspective, an unfair burden of responsibility). The idea is simple: where the bell cow goes, the rest follow. Farmers and ranchers have used this trick for centuries to keep their herds moving in the right direction.

And that’s exactly what Bell Cow is here to do—lead the way. We’re ringing the bell loud and clear, guiding bookstores, libraries, and readers straight to the best local authors around.

So no, we didn’t just make it up. But we are reclaiming it for the literary world. Because when it comes to finding great books, you don’t want to be lost in the pasture. Follow the bell cow, and you’ll always end up in the right place.

Catalogue? Catalog? Or is it: Cattle-log?

Not to suggest that authors are cattle or anything. We'd never! (Heck, we’re authors ourselves. But, after all, we are Bell Cow Productions!)

But we are creating a catalog—one designed to help libraries and independent bookstores discover and connect with local authors. Bell Cow rounds up books by local writers, complete with details about where they live, so booksellers and librarians can easily spotlight homegrown talent in their stores and stacks.

The goal? Simple. Get local authors into the hands of local readers. Because nothing beats a good book—except maybe a good book written in your own backyard.

In case you're wondering, "catalogue" is the standard British English spelling, and "catalog" is the standard American English version. There, saved you having to look it up. But, this is a cattle-log--because we like to play with words and add a little whimsy to the otherwise painful and plodding (like those non-bell cows) world of book marketing.

Frequently Asked Questions (Or, "Questions We Totally Expected")

Who can be in the Bell Cow cattle-log?

Right now, we’re rounding up Minnesota adult fiction writers—which we define as:

You live here.
You were born here.
You once passed through, whether for a semester, a road trip, or a memorable plate of hotdish.
Your book is about something Minnesota-related—whether it’s set here, inspired by here, or just has a suspicious number of references to loons and lakes.

For now, this cattle-log is strictly for Minnesota authors. But don’t worry—we’ve got our eyes on other states down the road. So if you're in, say, Wisconsin or the Dakotas, hang tight—your turn may be coming!

Will this guarantee my book gets into bookstores and libraries?

We wish! But no, we don’t control what bookstores and libraries choose to stock. Bell Cow makes sure they know about your book, which is half the battle. The rest is up to them (and, let’s be honest, the whims of the literary universe).

What kinds of books can be included?

Adult Fiction is what we're sticking with now, but any sub-genre within that works for us. Mystery, Thriller, Romance, Rom-Com, Bookclub, Contemporary, Historical, Literary, you know the deal. That said, we do reserve the right to decline listings that don’t align with our mission. (Example: If your book is titled How to Outsmart a Library Late Fee, this might not be the best fit.)

How much does it cost to be included?

Short answer: $60 gets you a quarter page, and listed on the Bell Cow webpage. Longer answer: details on pricing are on the submission page—check it out before you hit submit!

What happens after I submit?

We’ll review your submission, make sure everything looks good, and add it to the upcoming catalog. Then we send that catalog out to Minnesota libraries and indie bookstores, so they can find and feature local authors like you.

Can I submit more than one book?

The entry is per author, and we feature your most current title. But we also include an index for all your other books--so please include them in the submission!

What if I make a mistake on my submission?

Double-check before you submit! But if you realize there’s an error, email us ASAP—if we haven’t finalized the catalog yet, we might be able to fix it. We'll do our best, but no promises.

How often is the catalog published?

It's an annual catalog, with quarterly web-updates. If you miss this round, keep an eye out for the next one!

Can bookstores or libraries request a copy?

Absolutely! We have a distribution list that should catch everyone, but it's possible someone will slip through the cracks (or get caught in the email filters). Either way, we’re happy to send a copy to any Minnesota bookstore or library that wants one. If you’re a bookseller or librarian, email us to get yours.

Is there a deadline to submit?

Yes! And, no! The annual deadline will be July 31, 2025, but you can always be included on web listing until the next year's catalog comes out.

How do I get started?

Hop on over to the submission page, send your fee our way, and complete the form. Leave the rest to us!

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