She Writes Press
Thinking about publishing with She Writes Press? 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: $12,000 all-inclusive publishing package (raised from ~$10,000 in January 2026); editing, printing, and publicity are additional costs beyond the base package.
- Author keeps their rights.
- Distribution: trade distribution.
Our assessment
She Writes Press (SWP), founded in 2012 by Brooke Warner — who co-authored the original IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria — is a women-focused hybrid publisher. As of February 2025, SWP operates under The Stable Book Group, a publishing collective also comprising Trafalgar Square Books, Ulysses Press, VeloPress, and others; the prior SparkPoint Studio network relationship has ended, and sister imprint SparkPress is winding down (frontlist through 2026).
As of January 2026, SWP charges a single all-inclusive package of $12,000 (raised from ~$10,000), with editing, printing, and publicity costs additional; one independently documented author account tallied over $40,000 in total investment across two books. Authors retain full copyright and receive biannual royalties of approximately $3–$4 per ebook on wholesale platforms and $5 per ebook on the Apple Agency model; print royalties are structured as a percentage of net.
Publisher Brooke Warner has acknowledged that only 10–15% of authors earn out when all ancillary costs are included. Trade distribution is through Simon & Schuster (since August 2024); She Writes Press is not part of the Hachette-backed Stable Distribution launched for other Stable members in early 2026.
Victoria Strauss of Writer Beware noted SWP adds real value over vanity presses and maintains selective submissions, but criticized opacity around return-on-investment expectations. Jane Friedman identifies SWP as one of a small group of hybrid publishers with a recognizable industry brand.
BBB lists an A+ rating (unaccredited). No ALLi partner rating was found in the public directory, and Writer Beware carries no flag.
The upfront cost is substantial and full pricing details are not prominently disclosed on the website, warranting due diligence before signing.
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
- BBB
- A+ (not BBB accredited; profile opened October 2023)
Not listed or flagged by Writer Beware. Victoria Strauss, quoted in Jane Friedman's analysis, stated She Writes Press "does add value beyond what authors would get from a reasonably honest old-style vanity" service and noted selectivity and quality design, while criticizing limited transparency about the likelihood of recouping investment.
Observable red flags
- Charges authors to publish
- Vague or hidden pricing
Terms
- Typical cost
- $12,000 all-inclusive publishing package (raised from ~$10,000 in January 2026); editing, printing, and publicity are additional costs beyond the base package
- Royalty to author
- Higher-than-standard; approximately $3–$4 per ebook on wholesale platforms and $5 per ebook on the Apple Agency model; print royalties structured as a percentage of net after distribution and management fees. Biannual payments. Exact contract percentage not publicly disclosed. Publisher Brooke Warner has acknowledged that only approximately 10–15% of authors earn out when all ancillary costs are included.
- Author keeps rights
- Yes
- Distribution
- Trade distribution
- What you get
- Custom cover and interior design, e-book conversion and upload to 127 retailers, trade distribution via Simon & Schuster (since August 2024), Amazon A+ graphics, publishing-day graphics, social media support, foreign rights and audiobook assistance, backlist management for life of book.
- Website
- shewritespress.com
She Writes Press: frequently asked questions
Is She Writes Press 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 She Writes Press cost?
$12,000 all-inclusive publishing package (raised from ~$10,000 in January 2026); editing, printing, and publicity are additional costs beyond the base package Always get the full, itemized price in writing before you commit.
What royalties does She Writes Press pay authors?
Higher-than-standard; approximately $3–$4 per ebook on wholesale platforms and $5 per ebook on the Apple Agency model; print royalties structured as a percentage of net after distribution and management fees. Biannual payments. Exact contract percentage not publicly disclosed. Publisher Brooke Warner has acknowledged that only approximately 10–15% of authors earn out when all ancillary costs are included.
Does She Writes Press take your rights?
No — authors retain their rights. Still read the contract's rights and termination clauses before signing.
Should I publish with She Writes Press?
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
- She Writes Press — Our Package (official site) (shewritespress.com)
- She Writes Press — FAQs (official site) (shewritespress.com)
- Jane Friedman — IMHO: A Nuanced Look at Hybrid Publishers (includes Victoria Strauss quote on SWP and 10–15% earn-out attribution) (janefriedman.com)
- Publishers Weekly — She Writes Press and SparkPress: Hybrids That Lead by Example (publishersweekly.com)
- Publishers Weekly — S&S to Distribute She Writes Press, SparkPress (publishersweekly.com)
- PRNewswire — She Writes Press and SparkPress Enter Distribution Agreement with Simon & Schuster (prnewswire.com)
- Publishers Weekly — Six Publishers Form the Stable Book Group (publishersweekly.com)
- Brooke Warner Substack — Introducing The Stable Book Group (brookewarner.substack.com)
- Hachette Book Group — Hachette and The Stable Book Group Announce Stable Distribution (hachettebookgroup.com)
- The Stable Book Group — About (stablebookgroup.com)
- Victoria Waddle / Substack — Publishing with She Writes Press (author experience, costs, distribution) (victoriawaddle.substack.com)
- SparkPoint Studio — Publisher Brooke Warner Works With IBPA to Establish 11-Point Hybrid Publishing Criteria (gosparkpoint.com)
- BBB Profile — She Writes Press, Chandler AZ (bbb.org)
- ALLi Self-Publishing Advice — Hybrid Publishing Q&A with Brooke Warner (selfpublishingadvice.org)