Page Two
Thinking about publishing with Page Two? Here’s an independent, sourced look at whether it’s a legitimate hybrid publisher or one to avoid — measured against the IBPA hybrid-publisher criteria, the ALLi Watchdog, and Writer Beware, and last checked on 2026-06-09.
Key findings
- Meets hybrid criteria — meets 11 of the 11 IBPA hybrid-publisher criteria.
- Author pays: Not publicly disclosed; custom fees based on project length, complexity, and marketing scope; provided in proposal on request.
- Author keeps their rights.
- Distribution: trade distribution.
Our assessment
Page Two is a Vancouver-based hybrid publisher founded in 2013 by Jesse Finkelstein and Trena White, both veterans of major Canadian trade houses. Jesse previously served as COO of D&M Publishers and associate publisher at Raincoast Books; Trena is the former publisher of Douglas & McIntyre and Greystone Books, and a former non-fiction editor at McClelland & Stewart (now a Penguin Random House imprint, though she worked there before that acquisition).
Neither founder worked directly for Penguin Random House. The company publishes a curated, selective list of nonfiction titles for thought leaders, subject matter experts, and organizations.
According to its own FAQ, authors pay custom production and marketing fees (quoted on request, not publicly listed) and receive 90–100% of net receipts from book sales. The company states explicitly that authors retain full intellectual property ownership and that it does not license author rights.
Trade distribution is provided through Macmillan Publishers (US and international, effective July 2021) and Raincoast Books (Canada), with a network of 25 foreign rights co-agents for translation — consistent with genuine trade infrastructure, not print-on-demand only. Page Two vets all submissions and publishes a small, focused list, consistent with IBPA hybrid publisher criteria.
No ALLi Watchdog rating for Page Two was found in the selfpublishingadvice.org directory; no Writer Beware listing or complaint was found as of June 2026. The only notable concern is the absence of publicly posted pricing, though the company's FAQ states fees are provided in a detailed proposal.
Notable track record includes Michael Bungay Stanier's The Coaching Habit, which has sold over one million copies. In March 2025, Page Two announced the Simplified imprint, a business-focused line curated in partnership with entrepreneur author Mike Michalowicz.
No serious red flags were identified beyond the non-disclosure of fee schedules.
This is Glass Elevator’s assessment based on the sources listed below. Facts are attributed; opinions are the watchdogs’ own.
IBPA hybrid criteria
- Defines a clear mission & vision
- Vets submissions (is selective)
- Commits to truth & transparency
- Provides a negotiable, clear contract
- Publishes under its own imprint & ISBNs
- Publishes to industry standards
- Ensures editorial & design quality
- Manages a range of rights
- Provides real distribution
- Demonstrates respectable sales
- Pays higher-than-standard royalties
Watchdog ratings
- ALLi Watchdog
- Not rated
- Writer Beware
- Not listed
No mention of Page Two found in Writer Beware listings or blog posts as of June 2026. Not flagged. (Note: "Page Publishing" is a separate, unrelated vanity press that is flagged; the two should not be confused.)
Observable red flags
- Vague or hidden pricing
Terms
- Typical cost
- Not publicly disclosed; custom fees based on project length, complexity, and marketing scope; provided in proposal on request
- Royalty to author
- 90–100% of net receipts (per company FAQ)
- Author keeps rights
- Yes
- Distribution
- Trade distribution
- What you get
- Full editorial, design, and production team; dedicated project manager; marketing planning and campaign support; global distribution via Macmillan (US/international) and Raincoast Books (Canada); network of 25 foreign rights co-agents for translation; corporate sales team; print, digital, and audiobook formats; 10–12 month production timeline
- Website
- pagetwo.com
Page Two: frequently asked questions
Is Page Two a legitimate hybrid publisher or a vanity press?
Glass Elevator's assessment is "Meets hybrid criteria." Meets all 11 IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria — a reputable hybrid by the industry's own standard. It meets 11 of the 11 IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria.
How much does Page Two cost?
Not publicly disclosed; custom fees based on project length, complexity, and marketing scope; provided in proposal on request Always get the full, itemized price in writing before you commit.
What royalties does Page Two pay authors?
90–100% of net receipts (per company FAQ)
Does Page Two take your rights?
No — authors retain their rights. Still read the contract's rights and termination clauses before signing.
Should I publish with Page Two?
That's your call, but here's the basis: Meets all 11 IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria — a reputable hybrid by the industry's own standard. Compare it against the IBPA checklist and watchdog ratings above, get every term in writing, and remember that traditional trade publishers pay authors rather than charging them.
Sources
- Page Two – About Us (pagetwo.com)
- Page Two – Frequently Asked Questions (royalties, rights, fees, distribution) (pagetwo.com)
- Page Two – Services (pagetwo.com)
- Page Two – Submissions (pagetwo.com)
- Page Two – 12 Questions to Ask a Publishing Services Company (pagetwo.com)
- Page Two – Macmillan Distribution Announcement (pagetwo.com)
- Publishers Weekly – Macmillan to Distribute Page Two Books (publishersweekly.com)
- Publishers Weekly – Page Two Announces Simplified Imprint (March 2025) (publishersweekly.com)
- Publishers Weekly – Partnering with Page Two (publishersweekly.com)
- Public Words – Q&A with Jesse Finkelstein of Page Two (2019) (publicwords.com)
- SelfPublishing.com – Page Two Books Review (selfpublishing.com)
- Page Two on Macmillan Publishers (us.macmillan.com)
- ALLi Self-Publishing Services Watchdog (Page Two not listed) (selfpublishingadvice.org)
- Writer Beware – SFWA (Page Two not flagged; note Page Publishing is a separate flagged entity) (sfwa.org)