The problem.

The downturn in the economy, the advent of new technologies for printing, reading and promoting books, the consolidation in publishing houses, the rise of big box bookstores and the resulting emphasis on blockbuster authors have all pushed the business of publishing to the brink and made it even more difficult for emerging writers to be discovered. Like the movie and music industry before it, the publishing industry must adapt. And just like the movie and music industry, there is a growing need for the “indies” to lead the way.

The opportunity.

The VC-Investor Model is the ideal business model for today’s independent publisher. Supported by financial and sweat/equity investors, BSP will identify, nurture, and provide a platform for talented new writers working across fiction and non-fiction genres. Just like investors in a tech start-up, the risk is spread among like-minded backers.

So, we say:
it’s a great time to start a publishing business!

The Blank Slate Press Process.

The BSP-VC process works like this: 

1) BSP seeks individuals to invest their money, time and energy in our mission of discovering,
nurturing, publishing, and promoting promising unpublished writers,
2) unpublished writers interested in signing with BSP will complete an application and
submit a writing sample;
3) a 9-person board made of writers and readers will select authors for support;
4) BSP will provide support to writers in order to help them hone the craft of writing and to
build the writer’s brand and platform;
5) BSP will use the latest technologies to publish and promote the author’s work; and
6) all revenue (after expenses) will be split between the author, BSP and it’s investors.

The Blank Slate Press Difference.

BSP is different. BSP is not: 1) a publisher that works only with agents; 2) a buddy network of MFAs who must “publish or perish” and who start a journal to showcase their own work; or 3) a “self-publisher” started to publish our own work. Instead, BSP is: 1) an investor-owned literary arts incubator; 2) independent publisher/small press; and 3) an author/ book marketing practice.  Blank Slate Press is an adventure in the future of publishing built upon the time, energy, and financial resources of those who simply love a good story.