Stillwater Select Traditional Publishing
Some books deserve more than a release date. They deserve a champion.
Stillwater Select is the traditional publishing arm of Stillwater Story House—created for manuscripts with standout storytelling, strong commercial potential, and a voice readers remember long after the final page.
A Fully Curated, House-Led Partnership
In a traditional partnership, Stillwater Story House assumes 100 percent of the financial risk. We choose only a few voice-driven projects each year that align with our creative vision.
Zero Author Cost: We cover 100 percent of production expenses, including professional editing, custom cover art, and interior layout.
Full Representation: We handle all logistics for retail availability and actively market your work for secondary rights (Motion Picture, Streaming, etc.).
Standard Royalties: Authors receive a quarterly royalty check based on net sales.
What We’re Looking For
We are actively seeking fiction that is emotionally engaging, sharply written, and built to connect with readers.
We’re especially interested in:
- Thrillers & Suspense
- Crime Fiction
- Book Club / Women’s Fiction
- Upmarket Fiction
- Romance / Romantic Comedy
- Middle Grade
- Young Adult
- Select literary-commercial crossover fiction
We’re drawn to manuscripts with:
- A compelling hook
- Distinctive voice
- Strong pacing
- Memorable characters
- Clear readership potential
- Professional-level execution
What We Provide
Every Stillwater Select title receives thoughtful, professional support tailored to the book.
Depending on the project, this may include:
- Editorial development
- Copyediting / proofreading coordination
- Cover design
- Interior formatting
- ISBN and metadata management
- Print and ebook distribution
- Launch planning
- Retail and reviewer outreach
- Marketing guidance
- Long-term catalog support
We take a selective, hands-on approach because we believe books deserve care.
What It Costs
There is no upfront publishing fee for authors selected for Stillwater Select.
We assume the production risk and invest our time, resources, and expertise into the books we publish. Compensation is structured through royalties and contract terms specific to each project.
Who This Path Is Best For
Stillwater Select may be the right fit if you:
- Want a publishing home for your manuscript
- Are looking for a collaborative long-term relationship
- Prefer not to self-publish
- Have a polished manuscript ready for consideration
- Want a team invested in your success
Our Selective Approach
We intentionally publish a limited number of titles—because we want to champion books that leave an impression. That means we may pass on strong work that simply isn’t the right fit for our list, timing, or current needs. A pass is never a judgment on your talent.
Why Publish With Stillwater Story House?
We’re a boutique independent press built on story, standards, and relationships.
That means:
- Real communication
- Thoughtful decision-making
- Entrepreneurial energy
- Professional presentation
- Genuine enthusiasm for the books we choose
We care deeply about the reading experience—and the authors creating it.
Important Notes
- We respect your work and your privacy.
- Submission does not guarantee acceptance.
- We accept a limited number of projects based on fit and capacity.
- We may decline strong projects that are not the right fit for our current list.
- Authors declined for traditional publishing may be invited to explore our Stillwater Partnership or Stillwater Studio author services paths.
- All submissions are reviewed thoughtfully, but response times may vary.
- We welcome fiction and nonfiction projects.
- You maintain ownership while granting Stillwater Story House the exclusive rights to publish and distribute your book for a set term.
- We prioritize authors and stories with a Minnesota connection.