top of page
Contact
About Sibra House
Sibra House is an independent publishing house dedicated to authentic, meaningful and impactful nonfiction. We work with authors to develop, refine, produce and publish books that have something valuable to contribute to the world.Our approach is collaborative. We don't simply take a finished manuscript and put it into print. Depending on the needs of the project, we can work with authors through editorial refinement, book development, design, production, distribution, marketing and more.
Please note we strictly do not publish AI-generated manuscripts or art. Our publishing contracts now include a cancellation clause enacted in the event that a published work or project-in-progress is discovered to have been created with an AI generation tool. Our publishing focus is primarily nonfiction, including: self-help/teaching memoir/how-topersonal development/personal transformationLGBTQIA+ nonfictiondiversity & inclusion-focused literaturememoir/biography/autobiographywell-beingpsychologycreativityrelationshipsspirituality (not religion)interactive wellness journalsoracle cards/tarot cards/affirmation cardsother books that explore the human experience.We’re particularly interested in books that include:deeply impactful lived experiencesunique perspectivesresearch & teachings developed through first-hand experience rather than textbooksthe potential to genuinely connect with readers.
Sibra House is an independent publisher with a flexible publishing model.Unlike a conventional publishing house that operates on a single financial model, we recognise that different authors and manuscripts have different needs. Depending on the project, we may work through an author-funded model, a shared-investment model or, in exceptional circumstances, an arrangement where Sibra House carries the publishing investment.The specific arrangement is discussed with each author before a publishing agreement is entered into.
Self-publishing generally requires the author to independently manage or commission every aspect of bringing a book to market.With Sibra House, the author works with a publishing house and publishing team. Depending on the agreement, Sibra House can coordinate and manage elements such as the initial writing process (writing coaching), editorial development, proofreading, cover design, typesetting, ISBN registration, production, distribution and marketing.Our goal is to combine the accessibility and author involvement of independent publishing with the professional structure and expertise of a publishing house.
Submissions
You can submit a manuscript or proposal for consideration. Sibra House reviews each submission for fit with its themes and mission, with particular attention to nonfiction and fearless writing. Acceptance is selective, so the best submissions are those that feel aligned, purposeful, and ready for review.
Not necessarily.For most projects we prefer to see a substantially complete manuscript or a well-developed manuscript accompanied by a clear proposal. However, the appropriate stage for submission can depend on the type of book. For nonfiction, the concept, structure, included learnings, author platform and intended readership can sometimes be as important as the completed manuscript.
We review submissions as carefully as possible and respond within 2-3 weeks on average. That said, response times can vary depending on the volume of submissions in our pipeline, as well as the complexity of your project.If we believe your manuscript may be a good fit, we'll contact you to discuss the project further. Please note: even if your manuscript would be better suited to another publisher, you'll still receive a response from us advising of our decision. We never let authors go without a reply.If it's been several weeks since you submitted a manuscript or proposal to us and have yet to hear back, please nudge us with an email.
Potentially, yes. We're open to publishing new editions of already-published works. That said, if your book has previously been self-published or published elsewhere, please tell us when submitting it. We'll need to understand its publishing history, current rights ownership, ISBN history, printing/distribution channels and any existing contractual obligations before determining whether Sibra House can consider it.
Working with Sibra House
If we believe your project is a good fit, we'll discuss the manuscript, its publishing potential and the level of work required to bring it to publication.We'll then discuss the proposed publishing arrangement, including the investment model, royalty structure, publishing services, rights and responsibilities of both parties.Nothing is committed until the relevant publishing agreement has been reviewed and signed by both parties.
Our approach is somewhat flexible and depends on the level of work involved in getting a manuscript over the publishing 'finish line':Authors have the option of funding the publishing costs themselves in exchange for retaining a higher royalty rate.Authors may choose a shared-investment model, in which publishing costs and royalties are split between the author and Sibra House.In very rare circumstances, Sibra House may offer to cover the full cost of publishing a project. This is entirely at our discretion and is considered on a case-by-case basis.The applicable investment and royalty arrangement will always be discussed with the author before entering into a publishing agreement.
Broadly, Sibra House works with three possible models:Author Investment Model: The author funds the agreed publishing costs and retains the higher royalty share. This can be done as a payment plan model or paid entirely upfront.Partnered Investment Model: The author and Sibra House share the agreed publishing costs, with royalties divided between the parties.Sibra House Investment Model: In exceptional cases, Sibra House may choose to fund the publishing project while retaining a higher royalty share.Not every manuscript will qualify for every model. The appropriate arrangement depends on the manuscript, the level of work required, its commercial potential and Sibra House's assessment of the project.
Royalty arrangements depend on the investment model selected.Under our partnered investment model, royalties are generally split 50/50 between the author and Sibra House.Where the author carries the publishing investment, the author receives a higher royalty rate.In the rare instance that Sibra House carries the publishing investment, the royalty structure reflects the greater financial risk carried by the publisher.The exact royalty rate and calculation method will be clearly stated in your publishing agreement.
The costs depend on the manuscript and the services required. If external service providers are needed, costs can greatly vary. We always aim to complete as much of the development and publishing work in-house as possible to keep costs reasonable.Potential publishing costs may include writing coaching, story development, editorial work, proofreading, cover design, typesetting/interior formatting, ISBN and publishing administration, printing, production, distribution and other agreed services.Please note: if a service is outsourced, we provide authors with clarity around any additional expense before moving ahead with the service.
Though not ideal, it's not necessarily a problem.Some manuscripts arrive close to publication-ready. Others require substantial editorial development before they're ready for production. It really depends on the bones of the manuscript and what it has to offer future readers. We assess each manuscript individually and will discuss the level of editorial work we believe is required. If significant additional work is needed, this will form part of the publishing discussion and agreement.If a manuscript needs to be entirely rewritten, is missing plot/purpose or lacks critical elements such as structure, it may result in:your submission being rejectedadvice to seek a writing coachadvice to seek redevlopment support through our coaching business, Narrative North.
Depending on the project and publishing agreement, Sibra House may provide or coordinate developmental editing, structural editing, copyediting and proofreading.Though the level of editorial support depends on what your manuscript needs and the publishing arrangement we agree upon, this will always include some level of editing.
Sibra House coordinates professional cover design as part of the publishing process. We believe the cover is both a creative expression of the book and an important commercial tool, so we require that the cover designer consider the book's author, content, audience, genre, positioning and overall brand when developing its design.
Yes!Unlike most traditional publishers, we strive to ensure the publishing is a collaborative one. We value the author's creative input while also bringing professional publishing and market considerations to the project.While the design accounts for the author's wishes, where possible, where it makes sense and where it benefits the book, Sibra House acts as the final decision-maker in order to maintain market and brand continuity.
Copyright & Ownership Rights
You retain copyright. Sibra House receives the publishing rights necessary to publish, distribute and promote your book under the terms of your publishing agreement.Sibra House does not automatically take ownership of an author's copyright simply because we publish the book. The rights granted to Sibra House, including the territory, formats and duration of the publishing licence, will be set out in your agreement.Your publishing agreement will specify exactly how copyright and publishing rights are handled.
Yes, and it's encouraged. Print, ebook, audiobook, large-print, translation, international and other rights may be treated separately depending on the publishing agreement.We'll discuss the relevant rights with you before publication rather than assuming that every possible format or territory is automatically included.
Your publishing agreement will establish the term of the publishing relationship, the rights granted to Sibra House and what happens when that agreement ends.We believe authors should understand these provisions before signing, and we encourage authors to seek independent legal advice if they have questions about their agreement.
Production & Distribution
While it's not a guarantee, this is always one of our goals for your project. We work to create opportunities for books to reach independent bookstores, retailers, libraries and other relevant channels where appropriate. We're continuously expanding our collaboration with distribution companies while maximising our reach via in-store author appearances/book signings where possible.We make books available through appropriate distribution and wholesale channels, depending on the title, market and distribution arrangement.Please note: being distributed does not guarantee that every bookstore will stock a particular title. Bookstores ultimately make their own purchasing and stocking decisions.
Yes! While Sibra House prefers holding and distributing stock to bookstores and direct customers, we also publish the work on Amazon, IngramSpark, books.by and other relevant print-on-demand platforms globally.The exact retailers and territories will depend on the publishing and distribution arrangements for your book.
Marketing & Promotion
Yes, where applicable and/or possible. This includes any marketing and promotional services included in your publishing agreement.Our approach may include elements such as metadata optimisation, promotional materials, social media, launch support, media outreach, bookstore outreach, author events and other appropriate promotional activities.However, no publisher can forecast a specific level of sales or media coverage, and marketing/promotion never guarantee book sales.
Yes. We strongly encourage authors to participate in the marketing process alongside Sibra House because many outputs are greater than one. An author's knowledge, network, story, community and personal platform can be extremely valuable. The strongest publishing relationships generally involve both the publisher and author contributing to the book's visibility. Whether traditionally published or independently published, this is the norm. We can work with you to identify realistic promotional opportunities and clarify what each party will be responsible for.
Sales & Royalties
Sales and royalty reporting is handled by Sibra House and shared with authors as frequently as possible. Frequency is determined by factors such as reports from sales platforms, bookshops and print-on-demand platforms. Your publishing agreement will outline the reporting process and information provided to you.
Yes. Royalties will be calculated according to the terms applying to that format or revenue stream (Amazon, Sibra House website, etc). Your publishing agreement will specify the royalty percentages and calculated rates between Sibra House and you (the author).Please note royalties are paid less any production, printing/shipping costs or sales platform fees accrued.
Publishing Timeline
There is no single timeline that applies to every manuscript.A book that is already well edited and close to publication may move relatively quickly, whereas a manuscript requiring substantial editorial development, design, production or other work will naturally take longer.We would rather take the time required to produce a professional book than rush a project simply to meet an arbitrary publication date or need.
Publication is the beginning of the book's commercial life and the end of its time in production. Depending on the project, we may continue to support distribution, marketing, publicity, sales opportunities, events and other promotional activity.We also encourage authors to continue building their readership and looking for opportunities to connect their book with the people who need it.Even after publishing has been completed, Sibra House maintains a role in sales, marketing and distribution, remaining your book's custodian ongoing.
Before You Submit
Put as simply as possible, we look for manuscripts with a strong reason for existing. Manuscripts with something real to say, experience to share, help for readers or vulnerabilities to explore (works driven by human experience) are ideal.We consider writing quality, the idea's strength and originality, intended readership, author voice and expertise, and how well the project aligns with Sibra House's publishing direction.A commercially viable idea is important, but for us it's substance that reigns supreme. We want to publish books that have depth, purpose and the potential to make a meaningful connection with readers.
Our advice is to submit it when you: believe it's ready for considerationcan take it no further without professional collaboration.That does not necessarily mean your manuscript must be complete before enquiring with Sibra House. If we see potential in the project but believe further development is required, we can discuss what may need to happen before publication.You do not need to have every aspect of the publishing process figured out before approaching us.Still in the conceptualisation or planning phase of your book? Check out our book coaching services at Narrative North.
We encourage all authors to understand the agreement they are entering into and to seek independent legal or professional advice if they are uncertain about any provision.A publishing agreement is an important legal document. You should never feel pressured to sign an agreement you do not understand, and Sibra House never puts our authors in such a position.
Not every manuscript will be the right fit for every publisher, and not every publisher will be the right fit for an author. And that's okay!If we don't believe Sibra House is the appropriate home for your project, that does not necessarily mean the book lacks publishing potential. It may simply mean another publisher, publishing model or stage of development is better suited.Our aim is to build a publishing list aligned with our values and expertise while creating genuine, sustainable relationships with our authors, as well as stories that captivate, teach and sell.
bottom of page