Command Your Fate: Collaborate!

An Invitation to Publish for Women Authors Over 50

Why is it so difficult for women writers over the age of 50 to get their books published?

And why does it seem to be getting worse?

These questions led four industry women who believe in this unsung demographic to join forces as Sibylline Press. Yet, having been in the publishing business for decades, we realize printing and publishing books is no longer enough. If we really want these voices heard, we need intense and creative marketing and promotion at the time of launch. It’s an expensive proposition for a small press—and seemingly out of reach.

Until we came to a solution. Traditional publishing meets collaborative marketing.

This is your invitation to think creatively about publishing. We invite you to dare with us as we tinker with the publishing model and partner with our authors.

We collaborate because…

Collaboration is how we play in the big guys’ arena. It’s how little-known authors find their way to the pages of Publishers Weekly and American Bookseller and even the bestseller lists. It’s how we take ads in major publications, how we launch book tours, get reviews, and even movie deals. We join our resources—author and publisher—and use those resources to elevate all of our writers’ books.
^{(To read more about collaboration as a strategy see our FAQ page.)}

Not every writer will be willing to take this dare. But we don’t want every writer.

We want the bold and ambitious writer, the writer who is serious about her work, who recognizes the genius in collaboration and how it will serve her book. First and foremost, we want an excellent book. And then we want the woman who is on fire for her book’s success, as we will be. Like us, she is willing to put herself and her money on the line. At this wise age, she knows investing in herself is the only investment that makes sense.

Sibylline Press takes its name from the Sibylline Books, the ancient writings of wise older women, the Sibyls. Not one Sibyl alone, but many can alter history. As a Sibylline Press author, you’ll be part of a powerful collective of very smart women. If our team loves your manuscript, this is your invitation to become one of the Sibyls.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION & INVESTMENTClick here to read about how it works

What does the collaborative publishing process look like at Sibylline Press?

We select our books and authors, and sign them to publishing contracts. These vetted authors are then eligible for the two-year intensive publication program we’ve developed to effectively and brilliantly launch the books. This program includes:

YEAR ONE

Production and Prep (P&P)

We take the book through production (book cover, copyediting, layout, proofing, paperback and ebook versions) so it’s ready for distribution, and simultaneously set up marketing for the book launch with a marketing plan, review and pursuit of rights sales and excerpt potentials, identifying media and podcast targets, and auditing and building author social media platforms. Throughout, we’ll be training and prepping our authors on promotion to make sure they are ready for launch.

YEAR TWO

Launch and Promote (L&P)

It’s on! The launch of your book in either our Fall or Spring season. Your book has been pre-sold to accounts such as online retailers, retail stores, libraries, and bookstores. We support our distribution with a frenzy of marketing that includes tours/events, media, reviews, award submissions, advertising, and social media. And we continue promoting well into the next season.

AFTER THE FIRST TWO YEARS

We’re your publisher, committed to you and your work. As such we’ll keep promoting your book in our strong backlist. And when it’s ready, we’ll be interested in publishing your next book, too.

COLLECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Together, we’re a collaborating team, a collective of shrewd women in pursuit of glory. To pull it off, great communication is necessary. Our support includes monthly Zoom calls, conversations with the Sibylline team, discussions on our private Sibylline author Facebook page, access to Sibylline’s project management software for status updates, book industry talks, an in-person Pre-Launch Readiness Retreat for authors (fun and essential!), a resource library for social media with ready-made posts. By the end of our first two years together, our community of women will be established for life.

SUBMISSIONS

Meet Our Founders

Sibylline Press is owned by four book-industry women and we are the ones who will be guiding and working with you during the production, publication, publicity, and sales for your book.*

VICKI DeARMON

Publisher

Vicki DeArmon’s reputation as an innovator in the book business began when she founded Foghorn Press in 1985 at age 25 with a $25,000 advance on her credit card. From there, armed with unwavering optimism and the ability to take calculated risks, she built the company to 20 titles a year with a staff of 20, gaining recognition with Foghorn’s unique promotions, media attention, and record sales. She sold the company fourteen years after its inception to her distributor Publishers Group West for many times her initial investment. From that young publisher through her storied career in publishing to the wise older woman of today, the strategy that has served most is the concept of collaboration, creating a collective strong enough to command attention in the world of giants.

Julia Park Tracey

Executive Editor

Julia has the canny ability to see potential in a rough idea, whether it’s a new literary festival, a chance to serve a community with a weekly local newspaper, or a dismal fixer-upper house. She sees good bones. With a shoestring budget and no salary, she was founding editor of the award-winning Alameda Sun newspaper; with sweat equity and vision, as executive editor she supported the growth of Sweatpants and Coffee from a friend's website to a daily online magazine, now with close to a million followers. She is committed and passionate, with high expectations, and brings that to the table, whatever project comes her way.

ALICIA FELTMAN

Art Director

Sibylline Art Director Alicia Feltman has been designing books and publications for over 22 years. Through her company Lala Design she has worked with hundreds of organizations and companies, designing logos, marketing materials, books, and websites. Her design fluidly and beautifully captures the essence of each project. Her book covers and page designs match the heart of each book. A designer and graphic artist, she intuitively renders each project to perfection. Always a joy to work with, Alicia is essential to the Sibylline Press look and book projects.

Anna Termine

Rights Director

Anna loves publishing. She has been in the industry for over 30 years and has worked in both trade and academic publishing. A subsidiary rights specialist with extensive knowledge of all aspects of subsidiary rights, her particular areas of expertise and interest are foreign language translations, film/tv and audio rights, and she also is well-versed in license and contract negotiations.