From Draft to Deal: What It’s Like to Publish with City Owl Press

For authors in the genre fiction space—particularly romance, fantasy, and speculative fiction—finding a publisher that values both creative autonomy and editorial partnership can be rare. That’s where City Owl Press, a digital-first hybrid publisher, stands apart.

Founded by authors Tina Moss and Yelena Casale, City Owl Press was built on the belief that storytelling thrives when creators are treated as collaborators. With over a decade in the publishing industry, the press has become a trusted home for genre-forward voices who are eager to reach readers without compromising their vision.

But what does it look like to publish with City Owl Press? Let’s explore the process—based on publicly available and verifiable insights shared by the publisher and its authors.

Author-First Philosophy

City Owl Press is known for its boutique approach to publishing. Unlike large traditional houses, the team takes pride in providing a personalized, author-focused experience. Every story receives individual attention, with direct communication between authors and editors from the beginning of the process to release and beyond.

The editorial team works closely with writers to preserve the heart of their stories while refining structure, pacing, and character development. The goal isn’t to mold authors into a specific brand voice—it’s to elevate the story the author wants to tell.

High-Quality Editorial and Design Standards

As a hybrid publisher, City Owl offers the same professional standards as traditional publishers—including editing, custom cover design, and formatting—while maintaining flexibility in distribution and timelines. Each title is carefully positioned to fit the genre market, with attention to cover art, series branding, and metadata that appeals to readers and booksellers alike.

The publisher’s website and blog reflect a curated list of romance, fantasy, paranormal, sci-fi, and speculative fiction titles, demonstrating a consistent brand identity across visual and editorial assets.

Digital-First Publishing with Print Options

City Owl follows a digital-first model, ensuring its authors’ titles are published efficiently across eBook platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. Many titles are also available in paperback and select books receive limited-edition hardcover releases, including those featured in the publisher’s Influencer Program.

For readers and reviewers, these print options add value and collectability, while for authors, they offer multiple avenues to reach different audiences.

Community and Visibility

Publishing with City Owl Press also means becoming part of a growing creative and promotional ecosystem. The press supports its authors through curated blog features, such as the “Author Spotlight” series, as well as social media promotion, ARC campaigns, and influencer collaborations.

City Owl’s recently launched Influencer Program further strengthens its marketing reach by connecting authors with digital content creators across BookTok, Instagram, and other reader communities.

A Trusted Home for Genre Fiction

With a proven track record in speculative romance and fantasy, City Owl Press continues to position itself as a forward-thinking, inclusive publisher for authors seeking meaningful partnerships and long-term success.

For authors ready to take the next step in their publishing journey, City Owl Press offers more than just a deal—it offers a creative home.