Author Resources

Information for authors considering publication with Hane Lake Press.

While an overview of our catalog and editorial focus is available on the Hane Lake Press homepage, we do want to expand on some points of our publishing philosophy for potential partnering authors and artists.

Our publishing approach

Hane Lake Press approaches publishing and marketing with realism rather than promises. We do not sell outcomes, guarantee visibility, or claim insider access to algorithms, bestseller lists, or media exposure. Those claims are common in publishing, and they are rarely true.

We believe most meaningful success in independent publishing is built slowly through consistency, community, and honest effort over time. Our role as a publisher is to produce thoughtful, well-made books and to operate transparently, without exploiting authors’ hopes or anxieties.

What we value

We value clarity because clarity is respect. Authors deserve straightforward information about what publishing can and cannot provide, without inflated language or pressure to buy into systems that do not serve them.

We value ethical practice over expansion. We do not participate in pay-to-play schemes, guaranteed exposure packages, or upsell models that imply additional spending is required for legitimacy or success. We believe skills are more valuable than services, and honesty is more valuable than hype.

Additional context about our editorial values and publishing philosophy can be found on our About page.

What authors should understand

Publishing with Hane Lake Press is a partnership. We focus on producing carefully curated books and offering context, tools, and guidance that allow authors to advocate for their work without being taken advantage of.

Authors who publish with us are included in our catalog with consistent publisher metadata and a professional imprint association that can be referenced when engaging bookstores, libraries, and cultural institutions. We support authors in understanding realistic pathways for visibility while recognizing that effort does not guarantee immediate results.

Authors interested in moving forward should review our submission guidelines before preparing a proposal.

Common misconceptions

There are no shortcuts in book marketing. Posting daily does not guarantee sales. Paid advertising does not automatically convert readers. A single launch does not determine a book’s future. Slow growth is not failure, and lack of immediate traction is not a reflection of an author’s worth or ability.

We believe it is as important to know what to avoid as what to pursue. Many promotional services promise certainty in an uncertain industry, and authors are often pressured to spend money out of fear rather than strategy. We do not support those narratives.

Honest publishing is not pessimistic. It is a commitment to respecting authors’ time, finances, and creative work.