BK Launches Open Book Editions

Berrett-Koehler Publishers is pleased to announce the launch of Open Book Editions, a new joint venture with iUniverse, an Author Solutions imprint.  Many more aspiring authors share our mission than we can sustainably publish as part of our traditional publications program.  To serve these authors, Open Book Editions offers a comprehensive fee-for-service self-publishing opportunity, with various packages and price points available.

Throughout its history, Berrett-Koehler has been dedicated to “Opening Up New Space.”  While we know that thousands of authors share our ambitions for positive transformation, our capacity to bring every good idea to market is limited.  Working together with Author Solutions, we look forward to expanding the BK community by helping more authors challenge conventional thinking, introduce new ideas, and foster positive change.

Open Book Editions welcomes authors who share the Berrett-Koehler mission—Creating a World That Works for All. We believe that to truly create a better world, action is needed at all levels—individual, organizational, and societal—so our new partnership welcomes any publications that serve this mission on any level. At the individual level, we’re looking for publications that help people align their lives with their values and with their aspirations for a better world. At the organizational level, we want to promote progressive leadership and management practices, socially responsible approaches to business, and humane and effective organizations. At the societal level, we will publish content that advances social and economic justice, shared prosperity, sustainability, and new solutions to national and global issues.

Assuming that the works serve the BK mission and meet our criteria for quality, Open Book Editions could conceivably publish in a wide variety of genres beyond our traditional business, personal development, and current affairs categories—for example, fiction, poetry, or children’s books. We see Open Book Editions as helping to advance the BK mission in new and unusual ways.

Author Solutions, the market leader in self-publishing, will manage Open Book Editions on behalf of Berrett-Koehler, taking responsibility for selling and delivering a comprehensive array of publishing, marketing, and bookselling services.  Each book is custom-designed and will be available in both print and in digital format. Depending on their goals and budgets, authors can choose to publish in hardcover, receive assistance in setting up a website, have press releases and promotional materials prepared, and get help with social media.  To ensure quality control, each publishing package available for purchase includes an editorial review and thorough copyediting.

Open Book Editions titles will be monitored by Berrett-Koehler before publication for compatibility with our mission. The more successful titles will be considered for republication with Berrett-Koehler.  While titles released through this partnership will be self-published, authors will benefit from the experience and connections provided through Berrett-Koehler while maintaining control of their content.  Berrett-Koehler is especially grateful to the Berrett-Koehler Authors Cooperative, which has generously advised the BK staff on the design of the partnership, and which has offered affiliate membership and other benefits to authors who publish with Open Book Editions.

We at Berrett-Koehler believe Open Book Editions presents an exciting opportunity to deepen our commitment to fostering a world that works for all, and we gladly welcome your interest and comments.  For more information, please visit Open Book Editions, or feel free to contact me directly at jvondeling@bkpub.com.

Sincerely,

Johanna Vondeling

Vice President, International Sales and Business Development