Debut Books

Welcome to Debut Books!

We would like to acknowledge the land of the Wurundjeri people on which we live, work and play. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the traditional custodians of this land and we pay respect to past, present and emerging elders. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land.

Debut Books is an independent Melbourne-based publisher, celebrating and empowering Australian stories. We exist to champion first-time authors and the individuals whose voices are not heard often in the mainstream.

Debut Books is building a platform to amplify great storytelling, no matter who you are. We are specifically looking at the ways in which our stories are told, and by whom. We want to create a safe space for all voices to be heard and shared, particularly those so often marginalised and ignored.

Storytelling has the power to question, challenge and lead; if each and every one of us truly listens and normalises the changing of our opinions, we can make intentional and impactful change. Together, we can change the story.

We have some mighty big dreams and we invite you to join us in making them come to life!

INTRODUCING THE MINI COLLECTION

“How do stories change us? I’m going to explain by telling you a story.”

 - Mirror, Mirror by A B Endacott

It is with great pride that we introduce you to the Mini Collection, a series of physically small books on really big topics.

Broadening representation and amplifying marginalised voices is about equalising the balance of power. Changing the narrative requires intentional daily practice and we’re inviting you to be a part of this, with a series of books designed to challenge and inspire.

We are excited to announce that we have SIX confirmed Minis to be released between December 2020 and October 2021.

These books aim to broaden accessibility to the themes within their pages, and to connect readers with conversations we might be curious about, wish to know more about, but don’t necessarily know how to engage with. In six Minis, we will explore together narratives that we hope will challenge the way we think, helping us to change the stories we tell ourselves, and the ones we’ve been told by others.

Many of the stories we are told on a daily basis are viewed through a lens of power, and not always from those with the lived experience to talk about it. We are so proud of how each author has shown great vulnerability, courage, strength and compassion towards themselves and others.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT US

Here at Debut Books, we value connection. We believe that Debut Books has the potential to be more than just a business. We want to become a community of individuals who challenge and support one another. We want to build a platform with people who are invested in the future of humanity and want to make a difference in this world. Together, we have the power to bring great change.

Connection and community are at the heart of what we’re trying to do; by creating an inclusive publishing process, we hope that you, dear reader, feel a part of something big, too. In sharing this journey, we’re contributing towards a better future.

Let’s create safe spaces where it is okay to be open and receptive to changing our opinions and behaviours. Let’s grab a cup (or plate) of whatever takes your fancy, sit together and lean into the discomfort of change and come out stronger, together.

We have created a few ways you can support Debut Books on this mission, including one-off contributions and a subscription package.

A book subscription model represents a steady revenue and support, not just for Debut Books, but for our authors too. Their stories matter and this model allows us to build a direct and deeper relationship with our readers.

In return for your support, we would love to help you. Our mission is to enhance the reading experience and increase accessibility to the publishing industry for new writers. We want to shine a light on the 'behind the scenes' and offer debut writers a chance to get one step closer to seeing their name in print. As well as our subscription packages, we’ve teamed up with Amy Lovat (our editor extraordinaire) to create two editorial opportunities to help writers on their publishing journey.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE

We are proud of all that Debut Books has achieved in such a short amount of time. In less than 12 months, we have publicly launched and will be publishing our first three books. However, operating on tight budgets in the often-precarious world of independent publishing can be challenging and with this all-or-nothing campaign, we are asking for your help to ensure we can continue to amplify and celebrate all kinds of storytelling for the year to come.

THE LEVELS

SIGNED editions of the Minis will be available EXCLUSIVELY through this campaign.

Pledge 1: A single copy of Mini 1 including shipping - $16

You will receive a single copy of Mini 1. We will also publish your name on our THANK YOU page on the website (unless you would prefer to remain anonymous).

If you are purchasing this level as a gift, please include the name and address of the recipient in the text box provided with any additional notes. We will send a handwritten note with the book.

Pledge 2:  A single copy of Mini 1 for you and a friend, including shipping and a handwritten note - $30

You will receive a copy of Mini 1 for yourself and a copy for a nominated friend. We will send a handwritten note with your gift and publish your name on our THANK YOU page on the website (unless you would prefer to remain anonymous).

If you are purchasing this level as a gift, please include the name and address of the recipient in the text box provided with any additional notes. We will send a handwritten note with the first book.

Pledge 3: 3 Book Subscription - $47

You will receive the first three Minis as they are published. We will publish your name in print in the back of the THIRD Mini and on our THANK YOU page on the website (unless you would prefer to remain anonymous).

If you are purchasing this level as a gift, please include the name and address of the recipient in the text box provided with any additional notes. We will send a handwritten note with the first book.

Pledge 4: 3 Book SIGNED Subscription - $60

You will receive the first three Minis as they are published. We will publish your name in print in the back of the THIRD Mini and each book will be personally signed by the author with your name and their signature. We will also publish your name on our THANK YOU page on the website (unless you would prefer to remain anonymous).

If you are purchasing this level as a gift, please include the name and address of the recipient in the text box provided with any additional notes. We will send a handwritten note with the first book.

Pledge 5: 6 Book Subscription - $93

You will receive all six Minis as they are published. We will publish your name in print in the back of the SIXTH Mini and on our THANK YOU page on the website (unless you would prefer to remain anonymous).

If you are purchasing this level as a gift, please include the name and address of the recipient in the text box provided with any additional notes. We will send a handwritten note with the first book.

Pledge 6: 6 Book SIGNED Subscription - $120

You will receive all six Minis as they are published. We will publish your name in print in the back of the SIXTH Mini and each book will be personally signed by the author with your name and their signature. We will also publish your name on our THANK YOU page on the website (unless you would prefer to remain anonymous).

If you are purchasing this level as a gift, please include the name and address of the recipient in the text box provided with any additional notes. We will send a handwritten note with the first book.

Pledge 7: 5,000 Word Manuscript Assessment with the Publisher and Editor - $220

You will have the opportunity to spend time with the Publisher and Editor at Debut Books.

The Australian market is small and highly competitive. Seeking a professional Manuscript Assessment will provide an objective view on the strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript and an action plan for moving forward. If you’re serious about a future as a published author, investing in your manuscript – to the best of your ability – will go a long way in setting you up for future success.

A Manuscript Assessment (sometimes known as a ‘structural’ edit) will give you constructive and personalised feedback on the overall structure, content and style of your manuscript. This could include things like plot, character, point of view, pace, narrative and writing style etc. This assessment looks at the big picture of your piece.

For this session, you will need to provide:

• No more than 5,000 words of a single piece for assessment
• A one-page synopsis

You will receive:

• A written Manuscript Assessment from the Publisher and Editor.
• A phone/Zoom conversation up to one hour
• Two weeks of email access with the Publisher

If you are purchasing this level as a gift, please include the name, address and contact email of the recipient in the text box provided with any additional notes.

Pledge 8: 30,000 Word Manuscript Assessment with the Publisher and Editor - $650

You will have the opportunity to spend time with the Publisher and Editor at Debut Books.

A Manuscript Assessment (sometimes known as a ‘structural’ edit) will give you constructive and personalised feedback on the overall structure, content and style of your manuscript. This could include things like plot, character, point of view, pace, narrative and writing style etc. This assessment looks at the big picture of your piece.

For this session you will need to provide:

• No more than 30,000 words of a single piece for assessment
• A one-page synopsis

You will receive:

• A written Manuscript Assessment from the Publisher and Editor.
• A phone/Zoom conversation up to one hour
• Two weeks of email access with the Publisher
• An additional call with the Publisher about the publishing processes, up to 30 minutes

If you are purchasing this level as a gift, please include the name, address and contact email of the recipient in the text box provided with any additional notes.

Pledge 9: Ask Me Anything with the Publisher - $45

You will have the opportunity to spend time with the Publisher at Debut Books.

We’re offering you valuable time to speak with the Publisher and pick their brains about the publishing industry. With more than 10 years’ experience in publishing and bookselling, Katherine loves nothing more than empowering emerging writers and giving them the best possible chance at a future in publishing.

The conversation will be shaped by YOU and any questions you might have about the publishing process, possible pathways to publication or general publishing advice!

You will receive:

• A 45min phone/ video call with the Publisher
• A week of email access with the Publisher

SOME EXTRA (IMPORTANT) INFO

SUSTAINABILITY

Looking after the planet is something we take seriously and have taken steps to ensure that our book production and packaging are as friendly to the environment as possible. The paper used to produce the book is certified and accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council© and our packaging is plastic free and recyclable.

PRINTING

Due to the impacts of Covid-19, we anticipate that there may be some delays with regards to the printer and Australia Post’s service.

Approximately 70% of books published are scheduled for release in the last 3-4 months of the year to take advantage of the Christmas season. A large portion of titles are printed offshore however thanks to Covid-19, there has been an increase in pressure on the Australian printers and the demand for their services is higher than ever before. We have been in frequent communication with our nominated printer and our timeline has been built to accommodate the longer lead times.

We anticipate that stock of the first book will be available to ship from the publication date (07/12/20) and we will keep you updated if anything changes.

POSTAGE

Our postage costs for domestic orders include Australia Post’s tracked services. We have done everything in our power to keep the shipping costs as low as possible, whilst being able to keep track of where it goes.

For our international friends, the cost of tracking your orders was going to triple or quadruple the cost of your order (based on a single copy). We don’t feel that this is a  reasonable option and so we have decided that any international orders will be sent untracked. This allows us to have one fixed rate for all orders. If you would prefer an alternative option, please contact us at [email protected] with your name and the Pledge level.

Please know that we've done everything in our power to make our books as accessible to as many of you as possible.

If you haven’t already worked it out, we love books. We live and breathe them every day and all the book sales made through this campaign contribute not only to the future of Debut Books but to those of our authors and the professionals we work with. 

We’re planning to be around for a long time and every sale takes us one step closer to making a true and long-lasting change in the Australian publishing industry.

Our authors receive a royalty per book that is sold and thus every book sale contributes to the success of our authors, to their support, and helps them continue to do what they love – sharing their stories!

The RRP per book in the Mini Collection is AUD $9.99. Based on market research, we concluded that this was the best and most accessible price for the format.

Postage per book is AUD $6.00. We have included the postage in our packages so that there are no surprises when you get to the end of the process.

Pozible only allows whole numbers so we rounded the extra one cent up!

BREAKING DOWN THE TARGET

It takes a village to raise a child and producing a book is no different. Our pledges are based on two streams, book sales and empowering future writers.

Two-thirds of our budget is going towards the production of the first Mini. Simply put, we’re aiming for more than 610 individual book sales to realise the first print run.

Every subscription purchased helps to build a steady foundation of regular sales not just for Mini 1 but across the series. A solid foundation will give Debut Books and our authors the greatest chance at success.

The remaining third of our budget is an investment in the future of Australian writers. Our writer-focused pledges are designed to provide writers with the unique opportunity to grow their writing and learn from the team at Debut Books. 

We want to invest our knowledge, expertise, and resources to give them every chance at a successful published career. We’re striving to build a supportive environment for stories to be developed and shared.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Mini Collection? How many books will there be?

The Mini Collection is a series of six individually published books releasing every two months from December 2020 to October 2021. The aim of the series is to normalise conversations around different topics in the hope that this helps in breaking down the stereotypes, stigma and shame associated with that particular topic.

I’d like to purchase a single book for now. Will I be able to purchase the rest of the series at a later date?

Yes, we’re offering the subscription model at the beginning of the series however each individual book will be available on publication on our website at debutbooks.com.au.

When will each book be released?

The publication dates for each book are:

Mini 1 – 7 December 2020

Mini 2 – 1 February 2021

Mini 3 – 6 April 2021

Mini 4 – 7 June 2021

Mini 5 – 2 August 2021

Mini 6 – 5 October 2021

What age or reader level is appropriate for the Mini Collection?

We’re all about accessibility at Debut Books and have asked our authors to create a reading experience that is appropriate for a broad age range. We recommend the Mini Collection for readers ages 14 and above.

When will orders be shipped?

We anticipate that the orders for each book will ship from the publication date.