We are The Inkwell, the New Adult division of W. W. Norton & Company. We are headquartered in New York City, but we allow workers to work remotely, whether they live in Brooklyn or San Francisco!

The Inkwell’s mission is to connect independent authors with a broader audience. We know that there are amazing stories being written, but they have yet to find the readership that they deserve. Our focus is on diverse voices within New Adult genre fiction—stories with characters in their twenties. 

Our relationship with our authors is a partnership. We all want these projects to achieve their full potential and reach the biggest audience that they can. We accomplish this by having a dedicated, close-knit team of editors, marketers, publicists, and designers to make sure everything runs smoothly. 

We are a unique large press because we work directly with authors. Every decision made is made with the author’s input. Our authors drive the process forward—we are simply giving them a helping hand. 

Our approach to partnering with authors is unique as well. Instead of going through a literary agent, authors pitch to us directly via Twitter using the hashtag #PitTheInk. Modeled after #PitMad, The Inkwell allows for authors to pitch an unpublished manuscript in 280 characters. #PitTheInk happens three times a year: April 1, August 1, and December 1, between the hours of 9am EST and 9pm EST. 

• Who choses the manuscripts during #PitTheInk? Everyone at The Inkwell. Editors, marketers, publicists, and designers all participate during the pitch war. Everyone is allowed three choices, and there is an all-inclusive meeting soon thereafter to pick 10 to 15 titles among the favorites of everyone to pursue.

• Follow us on social media or sign up for our email newsletter to keep up-to-date on the next #PitTheInk!

Some authors are hesitant to join The Inkwell due to not having a literary agent to negotiate on their behalf, but our contracts department is top notch at what they do when it comes to the legal side of the publishing industry. 

How can The Inkwell help you, an independent author?

• Our editorial team is ready to take your book to the next level, making sure it is the best it can be.

• Our marketing and publicity teams connect you and your book to the world. Book trailers, giveaways, live author Q&As, book tours—we have it all to reach as many readers as we can.

• Our art and design team creates quality book covers and marketing materials to draw in potential readers. The best part? You always have an input!

• And lastly, our contracts team makes sure you get the best deal when working with us. We believe that everyone should be paid fairly for the work they put in to see a book on store shelves.

Lex Besecker is the founder of The Inkwell. A writer and blogger, her goal is to turn traditional publishing on its head as she searches for fresh ideas. You can find her at her blog Pomegranate Seeds, and her debut novel All the World’s a Stage is set to release this October. She currently lives in Brooklyn with her two cats, Bean and Cici. 

About The Inkwell: “This imprint is really important to me because we need to value the work of New Adult novels that indie authors are putting out on their own. Mainstream publishers refuse to introduce New Adult to the market, and I know there is great opportunities to be had if someone would just open the door to these wonderful stories."