We Believe in Genre Literature

Founding members at our first annual writer's conference.Bannermen books was founded in 2017 as a writer's group with three members. Our goal was simple: support each other through the process of writing our first novels. We met every Sunday for seven years to discuss our work and to offer each other feedback, rotating submissions among ourselves and never 'breaking the chain.' Along the way we learned a great deal about editing, about supporting each other as artists, and about the craft of writing.

As our writing group has expanded, so has our mission: today we aim to support writers from the beginning of their process through publication and beyond, so that they can create meaningful art with a lasting impact on our culture.

Bannermen Books aims to publish genre literature, not genre fiction. That means our authors don't necessarily write to the market. They take risks, blend genres, and set commercial needs to the side. They write fantasy and science fiction, but they use the conventions of genre to say something deeply personal. The result? Fiction that draws the reader in with the promise of adventure, then changes the way they look at the world.

Offering feedback to our newest writer, Solange du PlantyTo write books like these, authors need a great deal of support. Whereas commercial publishing houses select manuscripts, at Bannermen Books we select authors. That means we commit to working with a writer for as long as they need to develop their story. We meet with our writers every week to discuss the craft, give and receive feedback, and build community. What we learn in the process, we share with young writers. We want to see more meaningful genre literature in the world, no matter who publishes it.