Teacher Founded Publishing House in June 2026
After thirty years in the classroom, Cary Hauth launched Willow & Wren Press to self-publish children's books.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Primary Education
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In June 2026, Cary Hauth, a former educator with three decades of experience, established the independent publishing house Willow & Wren Press. The company released two children's picture books inspired by his classroom work and family life.
Why it matters
Hauth founded the press to circumvent the traditional publishing industry's rejection process for new authors. The move allows him to maintain control over his creative output based on his extensive history with students.
Cary Hauth spent 30 years as a teacher, including 14 years in Park Rapids and 12 years abroad, before founding Willow & Wren Press. The firm currently has two titles in print with four additional books planned for the Benford series.
The players
Cary Hauth
He is a former educator of 30 years who now serves as a senior learning and development specialist at Sanford Health.
Willow & Wren Press
This is an independent publishing company founded to help authors bypass traditional rejection cycles.
Sanford Health
This large regional health care provider in Fargo currently employs Cary Hauth.
The details
Hauth, who now works at Sanford Health in Fargo, developed his initial manuscripts while guiding students through creative writing exercises in his classroom. The books are available through major online retailers, local bookstores, and the publisher's website.
Timeline
June 2026 marked the completion of Hauth's first two children's books.
Culture Shift
The emergence of Willow & Wren Press mirrors the broader rise of self-publishing platforms for independent authors. By taking control of the production process, Hauth follows a growing trend of creators bypassing legacy gatekeepers to reach niche audiences directly.
Readers in Fargo interested in local literature can purchase these titles directly from the publisher's website or area bookstores. The books offer parents and educators new options for children's reading materials based on Hauth's decades of teaching experience.
The takeaway
Authors who face frequent rejection from traditional houses can effectively use self-publishing as a viable creative outlet. This path empowers professionals to share stories drawn from their own life experiences directly with the public.
Further reading
Learn more about local learning initiatives in our Primary Education section.
More information
To browse the catalog or learn more about the publishing house, visit the Willow and Wren Press official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Park Rapids Enterprise.
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