Our history
Back in 2012, we created Comely Bank Publishing to offer publishing opportunities for local Edinburgh-area authors using 21st century publishing methods.
We felt that that many excellent writers were failing to have their works published. Instead, publishers and agents had become too cautious, grasping at poorer-quality work: perhaps it carried the name of an established author or a bankable name such as a reality TV star. It was clear that the future of literature required that bright new talent be nurtured as it had been in the past.
We looked to develop a new concept of "community publishing", focusing on developing sales and publicity in the local Edinburgh area, and if books were successful, into the wider Scottish market. Comely Bank Publishing made no profits from its authors: it operated as a collective, and as a result could afford to be open-minded about what we published. By developing the brand Comely Bank Publishing as a sort of 'Quality mark', we hoped that the success of one author would sprinkle a little stardust on all the rest. Something's worked: all the CBP authors listed ("The Collective") managed to turn a profit on their titles. |
However, a problem began to emerge. We found ourselves being sent manuscripts and asked to comment, edit and generally improve them... and then their authors were taking their 'improved' work and publishing them elsewhere! Because they hadn't joined our collective, they weren't in a position to offer our other writers any reciprocal help. We found ourselves providing high-quality service and receiving nothing in return. That was clearly unsustainable.
So, late in 2019, Comely Bank Publishing announced that henceforth we would be moving into one-to-one publishing mentoring under the imprint of Dean Park Press. This offers the same assistance as the collective, but instead requires no commitment from new authors. Instead, the service will be charged, but will set the same standards and remain resolutely self-publishing and author-based.
Comely Bank Publishing is alive and well. All of our titles remain in available, many through this website which offers authors the best royalties of all. We will still be publishing the occasional title from its original "Collective" writers, or perhaps from a very special new writer whom we feel can contribute fully to our collective principles. But we needed to move on. Offering the same services under the imprint of Dean Park Press allows us to do that. |
It still costs nothing to contact us. If you have a manuscript, or even if you just want to benefit from our experience and expertise, please get in touch. You'd be surprised what you get for free. There's also Gordon Lawrie's Self-Publishing - The Total Beginner's Guide, published in 2020. Published by Dean Park Press, it's priced it at just 99p as an ebook, although as usual if you buy it from Amazon they hike the price up more. (Hint: it's available at this website.)
