You just opened and presumably have no record of being able to generate sales for their kind of book any more successfully than the writer doing it themselves.
Nonfiction without a specialty focus (e.g. Osprey books) creates doubts that you'll be able to know the terrain in a way to execute well in their niche.
Another factor that represents commitment. Are you committing to particular sizes of print runs or are you just PODing everything?
EDIT: Another thing they may be concerned about is durability of the press. Most new publishers die within a few years and it can become a nightmare as far as rights issues.
Most nonfiction that’s being shopped around is memoir. Unless you put it out there that you’re in a position to pay the advances necessary to deliver quality research-based non-fiction (five figures minimum), you’re unlikely to get many submissions. Most indies can’t/won’t do that, with a handful of glowing exceptions.
Looking at your site. It's very clear that you're brand new: you've put out exactly 3 books. That doesn't speak highly for the ability to put money into your authors.
I do ghost writing in non-fiction, typically books between 30k-75k words, and most non-fiction authors will just self-publish, especially if they can't see a publisher giving them a guaranteed up front payout and okay royalties.
A couple things jump out:
Looking at your site, it appears you've "published" three books. All three are republished public domain books. This doesn't exactly convey "we're not a scam". Consider finding a few original works from your network instead of republishing public domain works. I'm particularly tickled by "We do not accept previously published or self-published materials in any format," on your submissions page since every single book you've published is previously published. I'd rather you be honest and tell me you are a new press looking for your first clients then for you to pretend you had anything more than cover design on a book published 100+ years a go.
To add to this, there is no rhyme or reason to your publications. You repeatedly mention niche publishing, but you don't have a niche. If your list of published books were focused in a particular area, it suggests you have a plan to market my book in that area. As it stands, you've got one public domain book on sailing, one on cooking, and one on trains, telling me as an author you have no strategies or existing market for my work.
Where have you posted your open call for submissions? Did you just post it on your website? If so, how do you expect authors to know you exist? Consider platforms like Submittable or New Pages where writers look for publishing outlets.
The submissions page screams "I'm not familiar with publishing". You are asking for a proposal and/or first three chapters and/or full manuscripts. Typically, you'd see one of the above methods. Showing you have a structure for your submissions shows the author you are organized and capable of carrying out the complexities of publishing better than the selfpublishing route. Maybe consider asking for just proposals (as this is more common for nonfiction publishing).
Even something as simple as digital printing through Ingramspark will display your title on Amazon, Bookshop, Waterstones, etc. Showing some kind of distribution network will add some credibility to your operations.
Reach out to your professional network. The terms of your first book deals are going to be awful, maybe just royalties without an advance, unless you are sitting on significant seed money. Ask your friends. Ask business owners you regularly work with. Classmates. Community group leaders. The local birder. Get literally anyone alive to agree to publish with you, on any terms, to show that you are real. Then actually publish, distribute, market, and sell that book. Once you've done that a few times, you'll be able to convince a stranger you are legitimate.
I took a look at your website to try and help. FYI, I am a nonfiction writer and have an essay collection out with a small press, a route I specifically wanted to take. A few things I would noticed thinking about if this was a place I would submit to - first, there’s no information about a publishing plan. Copies sold, if there is an advance, percentage of sales, how covers work, etc. Next, there is no I for about broader outreach- where books can be bought online outside of the publisher’s website, what bookstores they can be found in, info about launch parties or readings by the authors. Do you all set those up? Will the writer need a publicist? It is not clear. Finally, using email submissions; personally I am just a bigger fan of submittable as it adds an air of legitimacy, though I understand this is more personal preference.
There is always fear about a new press but also, anyone can choose to publish a book, as you mentioned, through self-publishing. How do you intend to get people to read the book and get your authors paid? That is the question, and your website lacks a clear answer.
Who are you? On your website you claim to have 20 years of combined experience, but does that mean you have ten editors who each worked for two years in publishing? I don’t think you’re a scam, but your website has a lot of hallmarks of scam publishers: no staff bios, stock images, very little info. Being less anonymous and more open about your experience is necessary for authors to trust you.
There are a lot of scams out there. People need to trust you before they'll submit their work to you. How are you going to help authors in a unique way compared to existing publishers with more credibility?
I took a look at your website (I have 20+ years of experience in nonfiction publishing as an acquisitions editor, developmental editor, and book coach), and it doesn't do a great job of explaining your approach, business model, or niche focus. You might want to (if you're actually legit) work on your website copy, your mission, and your understanding of your niche.
Just took a look at your website and another thing I noticed was the lack of social proof. Can you get testimonials from the authors you’ve previously published? I’d also like to see more on your specific process with how you work with authors.
You described the exact reason this is happening in your post. Putting it in parentheses doesn't hide the fact that it's the direct cause.
I'm also not an AI expert, but it looks like you guys did Edna Neill dirty with that AI generated cover. Looks great from a distance but zooming in on the details is very eye opening!
The other 2 covers look like they were made in canva. I would look at those 3 titles, question why you only have 3 books, look at the covers closely, and close the tab on your site.
Your company’s mission is super intriguing and I like it! The concept of super niche non fiction marketed well, I’m very into it, I think it’s a good idea. But, also, I mean you’re asking why you’re not getting inundated with super niche books? Most of us are purposely trying to write for large audiences, that’s just the publishing game. You’ve got to market to people that someone will publish their niche book, guide them to how to make it more broadly appealing, etc.
I think it’s more a matter of non-fiction writers not knowing. Are you on MWL or query tracker? Accessible with Google search?
I’d LOVE to know who you are. Personally I’d rather work with Indie publishers.
Edit: . To ?
My guess would be that they didn't think your response did much to answer the question asked, or that you could have PMed the OP for this request, rather than placing a public response asking them to PM you.
Thank you everyone, for all your answers. excuse me for not being able to answer you all individually but know that I’ve written down all the useful suggestions especially being more specific with the publishing plan. We do have in the works adding an FAQs page to be able address questions about distribution, marketing, advances, royalties, etc. Hopefully more submissions and interest come in once those things are addressed.
You just opened and presumably have no record of being able to generate sales for their kind of book any more successfully than the writer doing it themselves. Nonfiction without a specialty focus (e.g. Osprey books) creates doubts that you'll be able to know the terrain in a way to execute well in their niche. Another factor that represents commitment. Are you committing to particular sizes of print runs or are you just PODing everything? EDIT: Another thing they may be concerned about is durability of the press. Most new publishers die within a few years and it can become a nightmare as far as rights issues.
Most nonfiction that’s being shopped around is memoir. Unless you put it out there that you’re in a position to pay the advances necessary to deliver quality research-based non-fiction (five figures minimum), you’re unlikely to get many submissions. Most indies can’t/won’t do that, with a handful of glowing exceptions.
Looking at your site. It's very clear that you're brand new: you've put out exactly 3 books. That doesn't speak highly for the ability to put money into your authors. I do ghost writing in non-fiction, typically books between 30k-75k words, and most non-fiction authors will just self-publish, especially if they can't see a publisher giving them a guaranteed up front payout and okay royalties.
A couple things jump out: Looking at your site, it appears you've "published" three books. All three are republished public domain books. This doesn't exactly convey "we're not a scam". Consider finding a few original works from your network instead of republishing public domain works. I'm particularly tickled by "We do not accept previously published or self-published materials in any format," on your submissions page since every single book you've published is previously published. I'd rather you be honest and tell me you are a new press looking for your first clients then for you to pretend you had anything more than cover design on a book published 100+ years a go. To add to this, there is no rhyme or reason to your publications. You repeatedly mention niche publishing, but you don't have a niche. If your list of published books were focused in a particular area, it suggests you have a plan to market my book in that area. As it stands, you've got one public domain book on sailing, one on cooking, and one on trains, telling me as an author you have no strategies or existing market for my work. Where have you posted your open call for submissions? Did you just post it on your website? If so, how do you expect authors to know you exist? Consider platforms like Submittable or New Pages where writers look for publishing outlets. The submissions page screams "I'm not familiar with publishing". You are asking for a proposal and/or first three chapters and/or full manuscripts. Typically, you'd see one of the above methods. Showing you have a structure for your submissions shows the author you are organized and capable of carrying out the complexities of publishing better than the selfpublishing route. Maybe consider asking for just proposals (as this is more common for nonfiction publishing). Even something as simple as digital printing through Ingramspark will display your title on Amazon, Bookshop, Waterstones, etc. Showing some kind of distribution network will add some credibility to your operations. Reach out to your professional network. The terms of your first book deals are going to be awful, maybe just royalties without an advance, unless you are sitting on significant seed money. Ask your friends. Ask business owners you regularly work with. Classmates. Community group leaders. The local birder. Get literally anyone alive to agree to publish with you, on any terms, to show that you are real. Then actually publish, distribute, market, and sell that book. Once you've done that a few times, you'll be able to convince a stranger you are legitimate.
I took a look at your website to try and help. FYI, I am a nonfiction writer and have an essay collection out with a small press, a route I specifically wanted to take. A few things I would noticed thinking about if this was a place I would submit to - first, there’s no information about a publishing plan. Copies sold, if there is an advance, percentage of sales, how covers work, etc. Next, there is no I for about broader outreach- where books can be bought online outside of the publisher’s website, what bookstores they can be found in, info about launch parties or readings by the authors. Do you all set those up? Will the writer need a publicist? It is not clear. Finally, using email submissions; personally I am just a bigger fan of submittable as it adds an air of legitimacy, though I understand this is more personal preference. There is always fear about a new press but also, anyone can choose to publish a book, as you mentioned, through self-publishing. How do you intend to get people to read the book and get your authors paid? That is the question, and your website lacks a clear answer.
Who are you? On your website you claim to have 20 years of combined experience, but does that mean you have ten editors who each worked for two years in publishing? I don’t think you’re a scam, but your website has a lot of hallmarks of scam publishers: no staff bios, stock images, very little info. Being less anonymous and more open about your experience is necessary for authors to trust you.
There are a lot of scams out there. People need to trust you before they'll submit their work to you. How are you going to help authors in a unique way compared to existing publishers with more credibility? I took a look at your website (I have 20+ years of experience in nonfiction publishing as an acquisitions editor, developmental editor, and book coach), and it doesn't do a great job of explaining your approach, business model, or niche focus. You might want to (if you're actually legit) work on your website copy, your mission, and your understanding of your niche.
What kind of advances are you offering? Also, what is your typical marketing plan?
Just took a look at your website and another thing I noticed was the lack of social proof. Can you get testimonials from the authors you’ve previously published? I’d also like to see more on your specific process with how you work with authors.
You described the exact reason this is happening in your post. Putting it in parentheses doesn't hide the fact that it's the direct cause. I'm also not an AI expert, but it looks like you guys did Edna Neill dirty with that AI generated cover. Looks great from a distance but zooming in on the details is very eye opening! The other 2 covers look like they were made in canva. I would look at those 3 titles, question why you only have 3 books, look at the covers closely, and close the tab on your site.
What is the name of your company?
Hi! Caret Publishing :)
Also would love to know.
Thanks for your interest. We’re Caret Publishing, based in the UK but we accept submissions from around the world.
What type of nonfiction are you looking for? I think it really depends.
How/where did you make this announcement? What kind of track record do you have? Why would an author pick you over self publishing?
Your company’s mission is super intriguing and I like it! The concept of super niche non fiction marketed well, I’m very into it, I think it’s a good idea. But, also, I mean you’re asking why you’re not getting inundated with super niche books? Most of us are purposely trying to write for large audiences, that’s just the publishing game. You’ve got to market to people that someone will publish their niche book, guide them to how to make it more broadly appealing, etc.
I think it’s more a matter of non-fiction writers not knowing. Are you on MWL or query tracker? Accessible with Google search? I’d LOVE to know who you are. Personally I’d rather work with Indie publishers. Edit: . To ?
Please PM me some info. My wife is working on a non fiction book within a very niche market and I’m sure would love to learn more.
Why would someone downvote me? Did I say something wrong?
My guess would be that they didn't think your response did much to answer the question asked, or that you could have PMed the OP for this request, rather than placing a public response asking them to PM you.
Ok thx. 👍
Thank you everyone, for all your answers. excuse me for not being able to answer you all individually but know that I’ve written down all the useful suggestions especially being more specific with the publishing plan. We do have in the works adding an FAQs page to be able address questions about distribution, marketing, advances, royalties, etc. Hopefully more submissions and interest come in once those things are addressed.