Welcome to Oxford Attic Publishing
I love a good story, and I celebrate writers of all kinds.
That's why I started this publishing company - to help writers take their work to finished form so all the rest of us can read it.
(go to top) Micro publishing in the Information Age
I've long been a fan of unique art: alternative music, garage bands, independent films, and tales of the lesser known, yet quite influential people and events that shape our world.
The population grows larger, technology becomes more intrusive, and information is rapidly coming to us in overwhelming streams. I was originally in hopes that the Internet could provide us with personalized "narrow-casting", allowing individuals to customize their own information and entertainment. While this is possible it is neither simple nor satisfying. We all need to spend less time in front of a computer. Publishing has become more important than ever.
A book is real. It is tangible, physical evidence of the writer's passion. Possession of a book is also a statement made by the reader about themselves. What does your library say about you?
Many writers do not get their work published because the style or the content of their book does not fit in the business model of publishing companies. Distributors and bookstores become involved, and the "business" conspires to keep the writer's creation from your eyes.
This statement defines Oxford Attic Publishing, and will mark our success or failure:
"I believe that the validity of a published work should not be judged by the number of copies it sells. Simply because a book addresses a tiny niche market does not invalidate its need to be published."
Large publishers call this "vanity publishing". This is a rather impolite way of saying to writers: "don't bother us with your book ideas unless you can prove that your work will make us a fortune." Tell me again, who is the vain one in this relationship? And also, help me understand, why do writers get so little compensation for their work when they do get published
(go to top) What can Oxford Attic do for you?
The short answer is that I can help you get your book published. If you are willing to do the work to write and create a book, I will help you get it done. I can connect you with publishing resources including layout, design, illustration, proofreading and marketing. Once your work is published you are free to price and sell your book as you please. You retain all rights to your work. Oxford Attic publishes in small quantities based on the needs and budget of the author.
Currently I do not maintain relationships with book distributors. However, I can assist you in determining distribution channels and coach you in how to sell your book.
Ultimately you are self-publishing your work through Oxford Attic. For many writers it is just too much to know and understand how to do it all, and so their work never comes to fruition. Oxford Attic will help you change that dynamic.
I handle each book on a project-by-project basis. I'll get you started with an assessment to help you map out your book's production. Don't worry, it will be a fun and easy-going process. I make my money (and it's not a lot!) by providing consultation and project management.
E-mail me at lem@oxfordattic.com and we'll get the conversation started. By the way, I don't try to edit your work (unless you ask me to). I will make suggestions, but you are the final decision maker.
(go to top) Oxford Attic is proud to announce our first publication:
Notes From Above Treeline
by Brian Hoody
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On the shelves - "Adirondack 46ers" rare reprint
Brian Hoody is a mountain-climbing man. God bless him, he's climbed most of the peaks in New York State's rugged Adirondack Mountains. Along the way, he's seen some incredible sites, discovered interesting aircraft wrecks, made good friends, and come to understand the legends and lore of this mysterious eastern mountain range.
"Notes From Above Treeline" is already proving to be quite popular. Friends and family members will have to wait until Christmas to get one. Even while we grow dangerously close to selling out the initial run of his first book (Brian, we told you to print more copies), Mr. Hoody is hard at work producing his second title for Oxford Attic, "The Adirondack 46ers". This is a special, limited-edition reprint of a very hard to find work from 1958. When finished, it will be available from the Adirondack 46ers organization. More details on that when we have them.
Brian is also at work on "More Notes From Above Treeline". Obviously, he can't be stopped from climbing Adirondack peaks and then writing about it. Reliable sources confirm that in his spare time, Brian Hoody is a husband, father, and wage-slave at a full-time job. The things we do to support our publishing habit.
"Notes From Above Treeline" is available directly from the author. Books are $12.95 each, with shipping and handling (United States orders only) at $3.00. Please e-mail the author about availability.
Brian Hoody
Penfield, New York
e-mail: bhoody@rochester.rr.com
Do you have to write about mountain climbing to be published by Oxford Attic?
No, but a little mountain climbing experience wouldn't hurt. In truth we're working on several first-time authors writing about diverse topics:
- An Iraqi nationlist recounting the hardships of life under Saddam Hussein and the ill-fated uprising against the Republican Guard following the Gulf War in 1991.
- A dynamic look at new concepts in "anger management" by one of New York's leading cognitive behavioral therapists.
- Two genealogical studies of historical influential families in the early development of the United States.
- A cold-war memoir of a P-3 Orion pilot who spent most of a decade chasing Soviet submarines around the pacific.
Some, all or none of these projects may come to fruition. What you can depend on is that Oxford Attic is interested — interested in writers who have the courage to write what they please and buck the system of traditional publishing. If you are willing to invest the time, effort and yes, money too, to make your book a reality, we will help you through the process of publishing it.
(go to top) Where is all this going?
To be honest, I'm not quite sure. I can tell you that in 2005, I made a decision to get off the sidelines and get into publishing. I started out by creating Armor Plate Press
What I learned from that experience I apply here at Oxford Attic. If Oxford Attic becomes a stepping stone for new writers to break into publishing, and possibly move on to more visible distribution with more marquee publishers, I would call that a success. If I simply help writers address their audience, however small, I would be greatly satisfied with that as well.
A book can change a person's life, whether by writing it, or reading it. Whether or not you take advantage of Oxford Attic's services, remember this: if there is a story or a message or information inside you, please take the time to write it and find a way to publish it. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't.
I look forward to hearing from you. Please support our authors.
(go to top) Contact Us
Tom Laemlein
Publisher
Oxford Attic Publishing
lem@netacc.net