Traditional Care, Modern Tools, Affordable Publishing
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At Uncommon Door Publishing:
We believe a great story does not need explicit content, graphic violence, excessive profanity, or crude humor to capture a readers imagination. We are committed to publishing clean, engaging books while giving writers the freedom to explore meaningful stories across many genres.
Our books may make you laugh, keep you up turning pages, take you on an adventure, explore love and relationships, or tackle difficult issues. We welcome stories about imperfect people living in an imperfect world. "Clean does not mean shallow, and wholesome does not mean boring."
Our standard is simple: tell a great story, tell it well, and leave the reader with something worth carrying beyond the final page.
For Writers:
At Uncommon Door, we believe every manuscript deserves more than being uploaded, processed, and praised simply because someone paid a fee. We want to read your story.
We encourage traditional bound manuscript submissions because sometimes there is no substitute for holding a story in your hands, turning its pages, writing in margins, and getting to know the person behind the words.
We embrace modern technology, including AI, as another tool in the publishing tool box. It can assist with editing, formatting, design, and production- but technology should support the storyteller, never replace the storyteller. Your story should still be you.
Relationship with Authors:
At Uncommon Door, paying for publishing services does not mean buying our praise. We believe an honest relationship with an author sometimes requires saying, " This isnt ready yet." If we see problems with a manuscript, we will tell you what we see and work with you toward making the story stronger.
The author always remains the storyteller. Our job is not to rewrite your voice into ours, but help you develop, prepare, and present your work professionally while preserving what made the story yours in the first place.
We would rather help you publish the right book later than rush the wrong book today.
Publishing Options:
Every author comes to us from a different place. Some have a finished manuscript and simply need help getting it into readers hands. Others may have an exceptional story but not the financial resources to publish it. Uncommon Door believes both deserve a possibility.
Author-Funded Publishing:
For authors who want to invest in their own work, Uncommon Door offers affordable publishing assistance without taking ownership of your story. Services may include manuscript evaluation, editing assistance, interior formatting, cover preparation, print and ebook setup, distribution assistance, and guidance through the publication process. Choose only what you need. We will never require you to purchase services your book may not require.
Door-Funded Publishing:
For select manuscripts, Uncommon Door may choose to invest directly in a book we strongly believe deserves the opportunity. Under this arrangement, the author pays no upfront publishing fee. Uncommon Door Publishing assumes the agreed costs of preparing, publishing, and promoting the book.
During the initial investment-recovery period, proceeds are shared according to the publishing agreement while Uncommon Door recovers its investment. Once that investment has been recovered, the royalty structure changes substantially in favor of the author.
This option cannot be purchased. It is offered only to manuscripts selected by Uncommon Door Publishing.
What we Publish
Uncommon Door Publishing welcomes both fiction and nonfiction across a variety of genres. We are not exclusively a Christian publisher, but our publishing standards are shaped by a commitment to clean, meaningful storytelling that can be enjoyed without relying on explicit content.
We welcome romance, comedy, drama, mystery, action and adventure, insprirational stories, family fiction, young adult works, and other compelling stories. Nonfiction projects will also be considered when they fit the standards and mission of Uncommon Door Publishing.
Clean does not mean that every character must be perfect or every subject must be easy. Real people struggle. Familes face problems. Marriages can fail. Heros can be afraid. People make mistakes, and difficult subjects sometimes belong in meaningful stories. We simply believe those stories can be told without graphic sexual content, excessive profanity, gratuitous violence, or crude and explicit humor. An action story can still have a great hero. A romance can still make you fall in love with its characters. A comedy can still make you laugh out loud. A difficult story can still make you think. Our goal is not to remove reality from storytelling. It is to tell great stories without adding material that does not need to be there.
Childrens & Illustrated Books
Some stories are meant to be read aloud, shared in a classroom, or discovered by a child turning the pages for the first time. Uncommon Door Publishing welcomes childrens books and illustrated stories that meet our standards for clean, age- appropriate storytelling. Because childrens books can vary greatly in length, illustration requirements, layout, and production costs, these projects are evaluated individually. There is no standard package price for childrens and fully illustrated books. A complete proposal and price will be discussed with the author before any publishing expenses are incurred. Uncommon Door may work with traditional illustrators, including Noah Pilcher Studio when available, as well as other appropriate creative resources depending upon the need and budget of the project. Authors who already have origanal illustrations are also welcome to submit their work for consederation. Marketing a childrens book requires reaching the people who put books into childrens hands. When appropriate, Uncommon Door may pursue opportunities involving local schools, libraries, community organizations, family events, and elementary-age book-fair audiences. Authors may be asked to participate in local school visits, classroom reading (even if the book isnt yours) and attend book fair functions when possible. Participation will always be coordinated with the authors availability. We can not guarantee opportunities with these organizations.
Our goal is not simply to publish a childrens book. It is to help give a good childrens story the opportunity to find its readers.
After your book is Accepted
Publishing a book is a partnership. Acceptance by Uncommon Door Publishing is the beginning of the process, not the end of it.
Once a manuscript is accepted, we will work with the author to establish a publishing plan. Depending on the needs of the book, this may include revisions, editing, cover development, interior formatting, proof review, publication, distribution, and a practical marketing plan. Nothing goes to print without the authors approval. Authors will have the opportunity to review their cover, interior files, and final proof before publication. Once the book is ready we believe the author should remain part of its journey. Uncommon Door may help coordinate local signings, community events, library opportunities, book fairs, interviews, social-media promotion, and other appropriate opportunities. We will work around an authors reasonable availability when ever possible. We cannot promise best seller lists, national book store placement, a particular number of sales, or media attention. What we can promise is that we will treat your book like a book-not simply a file to be uploaded.
Author Copies & Royalties
Uncoomon Door Publishing believes authors should understand how their book earns money before publication begins. Royalty rates, author-copy costs, retail pricing, and distribution terms will be clearly stated in the authors publishing agreement before the book is released. Authors may purchase copies of their own books for personal sales, signings, events, gifts, or other promotional purposes. The cost of the author copies will depend on the book's format, page count, and printing specifications. and current printing costs.
Books sold through retailers, online bookstores, distributors, or other sales channels may be subject to printing costs, retailer discounts, distribution fees, and other expenses outside of the control of Uncommon Door. These costs will be explained as clearly as possible before publication. There should be no mystery about where the money goes. Authors will know the financial terms of their publishing agreement before they approve publication.
Our Commitment to Authors
Uncommon Door Publishing was created around a simple belief: a writer should not have to be famous, wealthy, or already have a large following for their story to deserve consideration.
We cannot promise that every manuscript will be published, and we cannot promise that every published book will become bestsellers. What we can promise is that we will treat writers with honesty and respect. If we believe a manuscript needs more work , we will say so. If we believe a story deserves an opportunity, we will do our best to help that author find a practical path forward. We believe that publishing should be more than selling a service. There are stories worth telling, writers worth encouraging, and doors worth opening.
About Uncommon Door Publishing
Uncommon Door Publishing began with a simple idea: Good Stories deserve an opportunity. Founded by writer Brandon Bowman, Uncommon Door grew from his own experience navigating the publishing world. He learned firsthand that having a story to tell and finding an open door are two very different things. Uncommon Door was created to make that door a little wider for writers.
Brandon and his wife, Jessica, believe books can entertain while respecting the reader. Their Christian faith shapes the values behind Uncommon Door Publishing, but we are not limited to Christian fiction. We welcome writers from many backgrounds and genres who share our commitment to clean , meaningful storytelling.
Uncommon Door Publishing is excited to announce a November 1, 2026 release date for BB Roberts new book for young readers, Don't Look, Walk. Middle and high school readers can enjoy this action and adventure novel about courage, determination, and pushing forward when fear tries to take over. When you're scared, you can still keep moving forward. Don't allow fear to decide your next move.
We are not interested in replacing the individual voice of an author with our own. Whether we are reading a manuscript, helping prepare a book for publication, or standing beside an author at an event, The story still belongs to the storyteller. Uncommon Door Publishing is small by design. We want authors to know who is reading their manuscript, who is working on their book, and who they can talk to when they have a question.
Opening doors to possibilities isnt just our slogan. Its why we're here.
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