Are you interested in joining us in our pioneering author-run publishing co-operative? Please read on!
Q: I’m looking for a publisher for my book. Is Gritstone a possibility?
A: Membership of a cooperative is not on a book-by-book basis (unlike most other publishing), so we may not be the best solution if you are mainly just looking for your next publishing deal.
Q: Are you looking for new members of the co-operative?
A: Yes. During its first ten years, Gritstone has been a small group of like-minded authors with broadly similar interests and a desire to find a new model to fit within the established world of commercial and other publishing. As well as advising anyone who may be thinking of setting up a similar group, we would also welcome new members into our own group. We welcome approaches from writers of all backgrounds and diversity, especially women and younger writers.
Q: Do you specialise in certain types of book?
Our strength is in our books all having a strong sense of place, often with an outdoor theme and/or placed within a distinct local community. We are looking to be joined by authors whose work fits this broad concept.
Q: Any other guidelines on potential membership?
We are currently all based in northern England or North Wales, and this is usually reflected in the subject of our books. We do not wish to preclude members based outside the North, or to limit subject matter to this region, but we do value the fact that we can have face-to-face meetings a few times a year.
We are all experienced authors with a publishing history prior to Gritstone. While we do not preclude first-time authors joining us, your track record is our best guide to whether your membership of Gritstone will be a success.
Q: What does membership entail?
Gritstone is a route to self-publishing with the benefit of an established brand/imprint that is recognised by distributors and retailers, a central website where our products are marketed and payments processed, established relationships with designers and printers and a wealth of experience, advice, constructive criticism and encouragement from fellow members.
Publishing and related costs are borne by the author and income from sales and rights goes to the author. Gritstone itself is not-for-profit and keeps its costs very low, these being funded by a small initial investment from authors (currently £250 on joining as a returnable loan) and annual contributions to operating costs (up to £50 pa.) as well as a discounted fee for ISBN numbers provided per book (currently £25).
As a member, you would have an equal say in any changes to these and other arrangements. Members remain free to publish outside Gritstone, especially if the scope of your work ranges over some topics that may not be a good fit for us.
Q: I’m interested. What next?
While there is no opening or closing date for applications, we will consider them twice a year only, on 1 May and 1 November. We will include any application received at least six weeks prior to these review dates, but depending on volume and other factors, any received within six weeks may be held over to the following review.
To apply to be considered as a Gritstone Member, please contact us – more detailed guidelines will be sent to you including what we are looking for in a membership proposal.
