What’s It Like to Publish with Unencumbered Press?
Thank you to everyone who has already submitted work to Unencumbered Press! We’ve loved reading your poems and creative pieces. It’s been fantastic connecting with such talented writers, and we’re excited to continue discovering more. If you’re a writer or creator, we invite you to submit your work and join us on this journey.
In this post, I’ll share what you can expect when publishing with Unencumbered Press.
What It Means to Publish with Unencumbered Press
Launching a new press is like navigating choppy waters—exciting, challenging, and full of potential. While it’s not entirely uncharted territory, given that so many have come before us, we’re embracing this journey through the vast publishing ocean with a focus on collaboration, creativity, and mutual success.
At Unencumbered Press, our production and marketing teams are small—just two dedicated people—but we’re committed to making every project a success. We’re drawing on our industry expertise and the wisdom of the publishing community to guide us.
Recently, Megan and I spoke with Dennis Stovall, Founding Director of the Book Publishing graduate program at Portland State University and a seasoned publishing professional. His insights have been invaluable as we build our foundation. Dennis’s reflections on the challenges and solutions he faced early in his career underscore the importance of resilience and the power of a committed community. His experiences remind us that staying true to our vision and values can lead to triumph, even when facing opposition.
While we’re a new press, we’re supported by a great network and draw heavily on our industry experience and education. We stay tuned to some of the most important voices in publishing, including those behind the Copyright Clearance Center, IBPA, Publishers Weekly, and more. We’re inspired by industry visionaries like Maria Popova, Jane Friedman, Andy Hunter, and Joe Biel, and we strongly believe in the values of independence and fair practices.
How We’re Making It Happen
Individualized Project Plans & Collaborative Contracts
At Unencumbered Press, we see the relationship between an author and publisher as a creative partnership. We craft individualized publishing plans for each project, balancing fair compensation and rights management with the practicalities of managing costs and resources effectively.
Once you submit your project, and if we believe it’s a good fit for Unencumbered Press, we’ll offer you a publishing contract. This agreement licenses your intellectual property to us, allowing us to publish, promote, and distribute your work. Open communication is key throughout this process, so you can ask questions and address concerns before signing. We expect reasonable back-and-forth during this stage.
What’s in Our Contracts?
Our agreements are designed to be flexible, fair, and aligned with the interests of both the author and the press. Here are some key elements you might find:
Intentional Royalty & printing STRUCTURES for Every Project
Whether it’s a percent of net profits, 50% of actual profits (all sales minus expenses), or 8% of the cover price, the royalty structure is determined by what best supports the success of the book.
We may use print-on-demand services or traditional offset print runs depending on what’s best for your project.
Advances & Incentives
As a startup, our funding comes from a variety of sources, including personal investment, crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, and support from early-stage investors. Because of this, our approach to advances and incentives may vary depending on the funding available for each project.
To manage cash flow effectively, we may offer small or no advances. Instead, we might provide revenue-sharing contracts, giving you a larger share of sales in place of a traditional advance.
In some situations, we might offer a one-time advance of expected royalties, with half paid upon signing the agreement and the remainder upon submission of the finished manuscript. We may also offer bonuses for achieving specific milestones, such as bestseller status or a certain number of positive reviews.
Rights Management
Our contracts typically span limited terms, usually lasting 5–10 years, after which rights revert to you. This approach gives you more control over your work in the long term. We retain exclusive rights to publish your work in various formats (print, eBook, and audiobook) while you retain the rights to other adaptations, such as film or television. We also offer sub-licensing opportunities for foreign language editions, translations, and merchandise, ensuring your work can reach a broader audience.
Author Involvement
We take a collaborative approach to editing, design, and marketing. We value and seek your input on cover design, marketing strategies, and editorial decisions. While the final decisions rest with our team to ensure the best outcome for your book, your insights and participation are crucial to the process.
Clear Termination Clauses
Our contracts include clear conditions under which either party can terminate the agreement. This could be due to failure to meet deadlines, poor sales performance, or other mutually agreed-upon reasons. We also offer buyout options if you wish to take your book to another publisher or self-publish.
Why Choose Unencumbered Press?
We’re passionate about what we publish and are here to partner with authors who share that passion. Our contracts are not just about legal terms; they’re about building a relationship that supports your creative vision while ensuring we can bring your work to the widest possible audience.
When you publish with Unencumbered Press, you’re not just another author—you’re part of a collaborative team dedicated to making your project the best it can be. We believe in celebrating success and are committed to ensuring that our journey together is one of mutual growth, discovery, and achievement.
