How Uptown Press works

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Uptown Press offers three paths because writers come with different needs, timelines and goals. Some want a traditional route. Some want shared risk and shared reward. Others want a partner who can help them shape and release a book without waiting years. We keep every path transparent so you always know where you stand.

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Three Ways. One Mission.

1. The classic list

A small number of manuscripts each year join our main catalog. There are no fees. These books receive full editorial work, production, and distribution support. Selection is based on voice, depth, and fit with the imprint. This path is for writers whose projects match the core vision of Uptown Press and can grow into long-term partnerships.

2. The hybrid path

Some writers want a middle option. The hybrid path combines a reduced fee with a clear royalty share. It helps us support books that carry strong promise but still require more resources than a small press can take on alone. Writers stay in control at every stage. Agreements are short, simple and written in plain language.

3. Paid-for services

Many writers carry personal stories, small projects, or character-focused work that does not fit a classic publishing route. They still deserve careful editing, thoughtful production and a real book. Paid-for services allow us to work with these projects without lowering the attention we give to the main list. Writers keep all royalties. There are no long contracts and no surprise costs. This path is perfect for authors who want professional support while staying independent.

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  • Uptown Press reads each submission with care and accepts only work that fits the imprint. Writers keep full rights. There are no long contracts, no forced extras and no pressure to buy add-ons. Our aim is to publish a small number of strong, voice-driven books, not to sell packages to everyone.

  • We work with fiction that bigger publishers often ignore, including personal, quiet or place-centered stories. Paid-for services let us support these writers without lowering the attention given to our main list. Writers stay in control, keep all royalties, and receive clear pricing with no hidden costs.

  • We offer a classic list with no fees for selected manuscripts, a hybrid path with shared cost and shared royalties, and a paid-for path for writers who want professional editing and production while staying fully independent. Each path is open, simple and built around the writer’s needs.