What Types of Authors Should Publish with Flatpage?

All our authors are unique, but there are certain qualities we look for when evaluating your nonfiction book proposal. To help you gauge whether Flatpage’s publishing program is the right fit for you, we’ve compiled a list of qualities we value in authors whose projects we acquire.

We welcome unsolicited submissions from authors of all backgrounds—what matters most is the quality of your writing and ideas. But if you see anything below that resonates, Flatpage might make a particularly good home for your next book.

If You Are an Author Who Is . . . 

1. Writing a nonfiction book for a general audience.

Although many of our authors are academics, Flatpage publishes nonfiction books written for general audiences. We aim to break down traditional barriers to scholarship, bridging the gap between subject-area expertise and public understanding. Our acquisitions team looks for projects that offer research-based insight using clear, accessible prose.

Many of our editors are former academics and journalists, with higher-level degrees and expertise in a range of fields. If you have previous experience with academic writing but are interested in transitioning toward a general audience, our editorial team is uniquely situated to support you in that journey.

Likewise, we welcome journalists who may be new to the world of book publishing but have experience writing and reporting for journalistic outlets. If you have a project you believe extends beyond the limits of longform journalism and want to publish your first full-length book, consider publishing with Flatpage, where our team can fully understand and support that transition.

2. Idea-driven.

Flatpage strongly believes in the power of ideas and the written word to advance culture and transform society. We seek to amplify boundary-pushing ideas that will spark or contribute to important conversations, moving the needle on pressing contemporary issues of national or international concern.

Regardless of your industry, area of expertise, or political beliefs, we value authors who offer original, incisive ideas backed by evidence. If your nonfiction book project is well researched and idea-driven, we encourage you to send us your proposal.

3. Qualified.

Regardless of your background, we want to know why you are qualified to speak on this subject and how your book will contribute to important conversations. Your qualifications don’t need to be academic—you might be a published scholar, but you could also be a journalist, an author, an experienced professional, or a leader in your field. We value writers who bring insider knowledge and expertise, whether it comes from your personal life or professional background.

If you have experience as a leader, we also encourage you to consider submitting a proposal for our new book series, Voices of Impact: Leadership in Action. We invite leaders across sectors to share their voices—whether your expertise lies in business, nonprofit work, education, activism, the arts, or beyond. If you’ve led through uncertainty, acted on principle, or sparked transformation, we are interested in hearing your story.

4. Writing a time-sensitive project.

Publishing with traditional and academic publishers often can take years. University presses must send academic books through a lengthy peer review process, while many trade publishers have long lists of books competing for resources and attention, and may extend the process even further by outsourcing editorial work.

If you are writing about pressing contemporary issues or current events, accelerating your book’s timeline might make all the difference in its impact and reception. History is ongoing, and if it takes years to get your book published, its once-fresh insight might already be outdated.

Flatpage offers a unique, innovative alternative to traditional and academic publishers, whose processes can be unnecessarily slow and cumbersome. With our curated list, dedicated staff, and in-house team of highly-qualified editors, we can accelerate your publishing timeline without compromising on quality.

Like you, we want your book out there when your topic is hot on people’s minds and your insight is most needed. Publishing doesn’t have to be a protracted and agonizing process. We believe in urgency and quality—timely books concerning pressing issues can and should be published fast.

5. Ready for a change.

Many of our authors will have published before, whether with traditional or university presses. Larger presses often have less time and fewer resources to dedicate to individual projects, and the quality of their books may suffer from limited personal attention and editorial support. At the same time, authors may feel they lack control over their text.

The landscape of the publishing industry is changing quickly, and we believe innovation is the future. If you have published before but were dissatisfied with any aspect of the experience—whether you felt you lacked control in the decision-making process or received a lack of personalized support—Flatpage invites you to consider us as an alternative.

As Flatpage’s publishing program grows, we are intentionally keeping our list small and focused to ensure high quality on all fronts. We guide our authors through every step of the publishing process, offering a supportive, collaborative experience. With our expert in-house editorial team, we also don’t need to outsource editorial work, allowing us to take direct ownership over the quality of care you receive.

As an idea-driven independent press, Flatpage is passionately invested in the quality of each of our books and dedicated to supporting our authors’ success.

Thinking of Submitting a Book Proposal?

If you are an experienced nonfiction writer with a timely, idea-driven project—and you are excited by the sound of our highly-qualified team and innovative, collaborative approach—consider publishing with Flatpage. We might just make the perfect home for your next book.

Learn more about our submission guidelines and open calls for submissions here. Our acquisitions editor, Eli Bortz, brings twenty years of experience building award-winning lists at university presses. He especially welcomes submissions concerning current affairs, politics, arts, and culture.

When you’re ready, reach out to publishing@flatpage.com with your proposal. We look forward to reading your submissions!