Brown Paper Press to Launch Two Nonfiction Books
By: Christina Mancuso Feb. 23, 2016
LONG BEACH, Calif., Feb. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ An independent press quietly launched a year ago in Long Beach has emerged as a new player in Southern California publishing, with a pair of nonfiction books set to debut on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
The only general-interest book publisher in Long Beach, Brown Paper Press is the brainchild of two authors, Wendy Thomas Russell and Jennifer Volland, who were inspired to launch the boutique imprint in response to their growing awareness of a diverse and underserved market in contemporary publishing.
"We saw gaps in what other publishing houses were offering," Volland said. "Whether it was New York publishers ignoring the relevance of niche books or small publishers ignoring the importance of great design, or self-publishers ignoring the benefits of professional editing there were gaps everywhere. And we wanted to help fill them."
Brown Paper Press employs a team of outside professionals and uses eco-friendly, print-on-demand technology meaning its books require no warehousing, back-listed titles never go out of print; and there is far less waste and energy consumption going into production and distribution.
"We want to bring thought-provoking, well-designed books to the public in a way that is both generous to authors and mindful of the environment," Russell said.
The partners tested their business model in March 2015 by releasing Russell's first full-length book, Relax, It's Just God: How and Why to Talk to Your Kids About Religion When You're Not Religious. The book was featured by numerous media outlets, including the PBS NewsHour.
Tuesday will see the release of two new titles. In the first, I'm Dyin' Here: A Life in the Paper, newspaper columnist Tim Grobaty chronicles his own mortality and the mortality of his industry with humor and poignancy. In Burdens by Water: An Unintended Memoir, author Alan Rifkin shares 12 impeccably crafted essays, all of them grappling with what the author calls "invincible longing."
All three of Brown Paper Press' books are non-fiction, but Russell expects to expand into other genres, including fiction.
"What ties our books together is a focus on contemporary issues, fresh perspectives and strong voices," she said. "What sets us apart from other publishers is our collaborative process and focus on design."
SOURCE Brown Paper Press
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