Celebrating 10 Years in Independent Book Publishing

September 26, 2024 – City Owl Press, an independent book publisher dedicated to bringing diverse voices and captivating stories to readers, proudly announces its 10th anniversary. Since its founding in September 2014, City Owl Press has published over 300 titles, showcasing the work of both established and emerging authors across romance and speculative fiction.

In the past decade, City Owl Press has distinguished itself by focusing on being “by authors for authors to bring the best books to readers;” it has been the company’s motto and guiding principle since its inception. To celebrate this milestone, the founders reflect on the journey and the incredible people who have shared their stories.

“As we celebrate a decade of storytelling at City Owl Press, we are profoundly grateful for the incredible journey we’ve shared,” said Yelena Casale, Chief Marketing Officer. “Every page turned, every voice amplified has woven a vibrant tapestry of creativity that inspires us to continue pushing boundaries and connecting with readers worldwide.”

“The press has built a solid and inclusive foundation with the dedication of the team behind it,” said Tina Moss, Chief Operating Officer. “We’d like to take a moment to thank our editors, authors, partners, and readers for their support and efforts over the years. Together, we’ve built something truly special, and we look forward to a bright future.”

Highlights from the past 10 years include:

  • Partnering with the talented art team, MiblArt, at the beginning of our respective businesses. As two start-up companies in 2014, we found each other in the infancy of our ventures and have worked together since, watching each other grow and rooting each other on ever since.
  • Attendance and networking at major publishing and book events such as New York Comic Con, AwesomeCon, RT Booklovers Convention, RomCon, RWA, 20Booksto50K, Liberty States Fiction Writers Con, and more.
  • Developing the City Owl Writers’ Retreat where authors and editors of the company come together to get to know each other better, relax, and discuss the intricacies of the industry.
  • Gaining approval as a qualifying market through Romance Writers of America when few small presses met the guidelines.
  • The launch of the Mystic Owl imprint, via editor Heather McCorkle, whose unwavering work ethic allowed the press to take a leap into the unknown. Even when a door closes, the warmth from that first opening remains behind.
  • Collaborations with partners, both past and present: foreign rights with Brower Literary to now, SBR Media; audiobooks with Sarah Hershman, the Seymour Agency, to now, direct with Tantor, Podium, Dreamscape, Blackstone, Audible, and more; film/tv with Alliance Rights to now, SBR Media; and additional eBook distribution via Open Road Integrated Media.
  • Creating a robust library of information about the publishing industry to help authors navigate its complexities and intricacies.
  • Building additional revenue streams for authors via partnerships with Crazy Maple Studio, Fictum, Yonder, Radish, and more.
  • Developing special edition books and standout hardcovers via partnerships with Painting Wings Publishing, Kickstarter, and Backerkit.
  • Expansion into new genres, including dark romance, romantasy, horror, and psychological thrillers, as well as new formats such as interactive eBooks, audiobooks, foreign translations, and serialized stories.

As City Owl Press embarks on its next decade, the team remains committed to empowering authors and enriching the literary landscape. With exciting new projects on the horizon, and a major announcement on expansion in print distribution to come, readers can look forward to more captivating stories that reflect our world’s diverse experiences.

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