Samuel Langley-Swain.
representation was cemented. Each successful book allowed Samuel to invest in new titles, marketing and developing a brand.
Then in 2018, Owlet Press was launched along with three more books. Right from the start Samuel was clear that Owlet Press would have themes that focussed on diversity, acceptance and empathy.
Samuel says: “As I toured my books around schools and family events, it became important to me to be able to make a positive difference to the lives of children through writing and telling stories.
“The jump from author to publisher was definitely the steepest learning curve. Unlike many ‘smaller’ publishers in the market, who are often founded from people leaving larger presses, I literally grew Owlet Press from the ground up.”
New angles
Throughout the journey Samuel had been on a steep learning curve, aided by former Simon & Schuster MD Ingrid Selberg, in a consultancy role. Launched as one-man operation, Owlet is now a member of the Independent Publisher’s Guild with a regular publishing cycle. Samuel says: “As Owlet Press grew and started getting noticed, we were able to work with new, under-represented authors who have the same beliefs as we do. We are all inspired by the challenges children face and want to package these big issues into joyful and thought provoking stories for them to discuss with friends, families and schools, preparing them for adult life. “We’re always looking for new angles and ways to challenge industry conventions and our list gets more impactful and inspiring with every title. We want uplifting, diverse stories that celebrate characters, authors and illustrators from all backgrounds and communities. After securing eight overseas rights deals so far with What Wesley Wore our first title taken to market, we have our sights on growing our presence in global markets and to bolster our UK trade presence through our partnership with Bounce Sales and Marketing and secure investment for growth.
“But most of all we want each and every one of our stories to bring joy and strength to those children who need it most.” PEN&INC.
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www.owletpress.com 36 PEN&INC. Autumn-Winter 2020
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