Publishing with Us

Your book. Your ambitions. A conversation worth having.

Every book is different, and so is every author’s publishing journey.

Some authors are looking for a publishing partner who believes in their manuscript. Others have a book ready to publish and would welcome help with particular aspects of the process.

At Dimblehouse, we believe the best approach starts with understanding the book and the person behind it.

We’re a family-run independent publishing house, and we’d rather take the time to understand what an author wants to achieve than offer a standard solution that may not be right for them.

We are open to exploring different ways of working together, depending on the book, the author’s ambitions and what makes practical sense.

Every book has its own journey.

Every author and every book has different needs. Some authors are looking for a publishing partner to help develop and bring their story to market. Others have a finished book and are looking for practical publishing support, or the opportunity to publish under an established label with access to wider distribution.

Dimblehouse is an independent publisher with big ambitions, but we are deliberately small. We are not a large commercial publishing house, and we do not pretend to have the resources or infrastructure of one. What we can offer is a personal, collaborative approach, a genuine interest in the books we publish and a shared commitment to helping good stories find their readers.

We are particularly interested in working with authors who share our values and our belief in what a book can become. That might mean developing a publishing partnership in which author and publisher contribute their time, ideas and resources to bring a book to market. Or it might mean providing a publishing home, practical support and access to our distribution routes for an author who is ready to take the next step.

We know that writing often happens alongside other commitments, whether that is a career, family life or caring responsibilities. We believe there are wonderful stories waiting to be published by people who may not follow a conventional route into authorship. We want to be part of making that possible.

We won’t be the right publishing partner for everyone. Authors looking for a large commercial publisher, substantial advances or the extensive marketing resources of an established publishing group may be better served elsewhere. But for authors who value a personal relationship, shared purpose and the opportunity to build something together, we would welcome a conversation.

Every relationship starts with understanding the book, the author and what they hope to achieve. From there, we can decide whether there is a good fit and how we might work together.

Two possible approaches

Two broad ways we might work together

These are starting points for a conversation, not fixed packages. Every book is considered on its own.

A publishing partnership

Having your book considered for our list

For authors interested in having their work considered for the Dimblehouse publishing list.

We’re interested in discovering new authors and books that we believe have the potential to find an audience.

A publishing partnership begins with a conversation about the manuscript, its potential and the author’s ambitions. We would then consider whether the book is something we could develop and bring to market together.

Every opportunity is considered individually, with any partnership subject to an agreed arrangement setting out the respective responsibilities, rights and commercial terms.

As a small independent publisher, we can take on only a limited number of books. Making an initial enquiry does not constitute a formal submission or guarantee that a book will be taken forward. It is simply an opportunity for us to get to know the author and their work.

Discuss Your Manuscript

Publishing support

Help with the parts of publishing you need

For authors who have a book they want to publish and would value support with particular aspects of the process.

Bringing a book to publication involves many different skills and decisions. Depending on the project, an author may need help with editing, proofreading, cover design, book layout, website development, marketing, publicity or distribution.

We can discuss which elements would be most useful for a particular book and whether there is a practical way for us to help.

We don’t believe in prescribing the same package to every author. Our aim is to understand what you need, what you hope to achieve and what makes sense for the book.

The way we work is flexible. Depending on the project, we might provide specific publishing support, contribute to the development and costs of bringing a book to market, share the investment with the author or agree another approach that works for everyone involved. Not every project needs the same level of involvement, and we don’t assume that the author should carry the entire cost.

We see publishing as the beginning of a relationship, not simply the delivery of a service. We want to work with authors over time, build mutual trust and, where there is a good fit, find further opportunities to work together.

Any arrangement would be discussed openly and agreed in writing before work begins, including what each party will contribute, the responsibilities involved and any associated costs. This type of support is separate from a publishing partnership and does not, in itself, mean that the book joins the Dimblehouse publishing list.

Talk to Us About Your Book

Our approach

Where we may be able to help

Our own books have taught us a great deal about what it takes to bring a book to readers. These are the areas we have experience in, or are developing. Whether we can help with a particular project depends on the book and on what it needs.

We are a family-run house, not a large agency: we will always be straightforward about what we can and cannot do.

  • Editorial support, including copy editing and proofreading
  • Book design, typesetting and production
  • Author and book websites
  • Marketing, publicity and promotional campaigns
  • Relationships with retailers and bookshops
  • Ebook and print publishing routes
  • Distribution and direct book sales

How it works

Simple, and personal

  1. Start a conversation

    Tell us about your book and what you hope to achieve.

  2. Understand the project

    We’ll discuss the manuscript, readership, publishing ambitions and any support you may need.

  3. Explore the possibilities

    Together, we’ll consider what approach makes the most sense.

  4. Agree the next steps

    If there is a suitable opportunity to work together, we’ll discuss the details and agree the arrangement.

Author enquiries

Tell us about your book

A short introduction is all we need to begin. Please don’t send a manuscript at this stage: if we would like to read more, we will ask, and tell you how to send it.

We read every enquiry ourselves, and we will reply by email. As a small house we cannot take on every book, but we will always be honest with you.

A working title is fine.
A few sentences is plenty: what it is about, who it is for, and roughly how long it is.
What are you looking for help with? (tick any that apply)

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