Thursday, April 10, 2014

Life-changing, paradigm-shifting books by women, for women.

The industry says there’s no money in publishing. They talk about the death of books.

A visit to the London Book Fair tells a very different story.

There is PLENTY of money there. With a couple of thousand stands. Each manned by 2-20 publishers, editors and agents. Suited and booted to the nines. Talking with calculators in hand. Hunched over desks making hushed deals. There is plenty of money changing hands… what they mean is there isn’t much money for authors. All the money is being spent on staff. And offices. And glossy brochures. And dinners. And printing pretty books. And erecting huge stands. And lots of over fed middle aged white men and ladies with very expensive hair. That is where the money is. Not in the pockets of those who created the work. Who were having to grovel to get a place at a table to talk to a powerful editor.

As an author I can’t tell you how wrong this felt. Intentionally intimidating and phony. Corporate yuck.


Then I headed to the self publishing area. Authors were crowded around, standing room only, straining to hear. The authors, many shipped in from the US, they spoke a different language – of telling stories, and community, and creativity, and entrepreneurship, and lots and lots about readers, about what readers want, and reaching readers, and maintaining financial and creative control… about building long term careers. They weren’t into cleverness, but into doing what they loved, and giving readers what they yearned for. And they were all millionaires. And in the audience were tens of authors like me, not millionaires, but making our livings from writing.

I knew I was in the right place.

It confirmed completely to me the way I want to go with my books. And the way I want to support others. In helping them to self-publish through education (e-courses and more... coming soon!) and publishing services.

And by creating a niche publishing imprint for voices that matter, that the women of our world are longing to hear. Life-changing, paradigm-shifting books by women, for women.



A publishing company which is co-creative. Collaborative. Which shares the work. And the money. Equally between author and production team. Which harnesses new technology. Which is small enough and clever enough to manoeuvre in changing times. Which is dedicated to the authors. And books. And readers. Not to saving face with the big boys in the industry or maintaining the status quo in any way. One which celebrates wisdom, not cleverness. Depth not superficiality. Which is focused on the future. Co-creating a bright new future, through seeding ideas and sharing voices.

Western women will change the world… so says the Dalai Lama… and who am I to argue? 

This is Womancraft Publishing. Our new venture.

It feels completely natural and right.


And we are really excited.

PS We're not officially supposed to have launched yet... we're still a few weeks off being up and running... but I am so breathlessly excited and USELESS at keeping secrets, especially with my inner circle, that I just HAVE to share it with you because it's on my mind, it's my everything at the mo - compiling the e-course, writing copy for the website, setting up our procedures.... (You can follow us on Facebook here!)

5 comments:

  1. Would love to self publish, no idea about it. Always feel a bit intimidated..This blog is reassuring and inspiring all at once..Thanks Lucy. Best finish the booook! xxx

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  2. :) Keep writing Claire! Will shout out when the self pub ecourse is ready!

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  3. Very exciting and inspiring stuff and I will definitely be doing your ecourse! Xxx

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