Vicki DeArmon Presents Sibylline Press, a Book Publishing Company
On August 1, 2024, Vicki DeArmon, the publisher of Sibylline Press, spoke to Santa Rosa Sunrise about her company and the book publishing business. Vicki is the publisher and, along with other partners, the owner of Sibylline. Vicki has been a publisher since she was 25, when she started a San Francisco publishing company called Foghorn Press, grew it into a $2 million enterprise, and then sold it 14 years later. She also worked for Copperfield’s books for 8 years as the marketing and events director and as a consultant to California’s independent bookstores. She grew up in Santa Rosa!
The company publishes books written by older women who are often overlooked by traditional publishers. Vicki found that older women’s manuscripts are more often returned by publishers unread even though they have much to offer the industry. Sybilline’s goal is to take great women by the hand and lead them to the promised land (of published works). They publish brilliant women over age 50. Sibylline concentrates on publishing fiction and memoirs. Once they take on a writer, they often find that she has written previous books and then often publish those books as well. Sibylline will also be starting up a digital publishing line in November and audio books in the near future. The book publishing industry is in turmoil. Publishers are extremely cautious about taking on unknown writers. Amazon has taken over the market, making it extremely difficult for bookstores to continue operations. Even Barnes & Nobles is difficult to work with; she used to be able to buy shelf and display space on a national basis, but the company have become more regionalized and selective recently. Vicki gave an example of one of the problems publishers face from back in her Foghorn days: She once sold a ton of books to Costco, but Costco later returned many of the books unsold!
Vicki outlined the publishing process. They evaluate proposed manuscripts and when they find a book they want to publish they sign the author up and take her by the hand to promote her. The promotion process includes developing an extensive social media presence. They edit the book and send it around seeking reviews from famous people, including reviewers and other authors. The editing and promotions process can take 18 months. They have launch parties and send the authors to bookstores and speakers locations to discuss the book. This process continues after publication. Promote, publish, and market! It is expensive.
Sibylline has published some amazing books, including “Bitterroot,” a story about Maga politics in Idaho by Suzy Vitello, “Mrs. McPhealy’s American,” by Claire McDougall and set in Scotland, and “Eleven Stolen Horses,” about why women disappear by Robin Somers. Many thanks to Vicki for the enlightening and enjoyable presentation about Sibylline and the book publishing industry!
Click HERE to view a limited-time recording of Vicki's presentation.
