San Antonio Writers Established Publishing Co-op
The new venture Inbound Books aims to bypass industry gatekeepers and increase author royalties.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Remote Work
Live Poll
Would you prefer to publish through an independent co-op rather than a traditional publisher?
Four San Antonio-based writers have formed Inbound Books, a publishing cooperative designed to empower authors through higher royalties and shared marketing support. The new press operates on a stakeholder model that emphasizes collaborative promotion over traditional industry gatekeeping.
Why it matters
The founders launched this co-op to address long-standing challenges in the publishing industry, specifically focusing on ensuring that authors receive robust marketing support and a greater share of sales profits. By shifting the power dynamic to a writer-stakeholder model, the press aims to provide a more equitable path for local and national authors.
The press requires approval from 3 out of 4 founders before a submission is accepted for publication. This governance structure governs the selection process for all incoming manuscripts.
The players
Inbound Books
This is a newly established San Antonio-based publishing co-op where authors serve as stakeholders.
Christopher Bodmann
He is one of the four founding writers who established the Inbound Books publishing cooperative.
Jayne Bodmann
She is one of the four founding writers who established the Inbound Books publishing cooperative.
B.J. Bell
He is one of the four founding writers who established the Inbound Books publishing cooperative.
Joseph Guyer
He is one of the four founding writers who established the Inbound Books publishing cooperative.
The details
Inbound Books functions as a collaborative environment where authors contribute to peer book launches and receive dedicated social media toolkits and marketing plans. The venture is currently accepting new submissions and plans to distribute its catalog through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and local bookstores.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: The press officially announced its establishment.
October 23, 2026: The debut book titled Karma Ledger is scheduled for release.
Market Landscape
This story follows the rise of independent author-led cooperative publishing models, illustrating a shift toward decentralized industry control. By bypassing traditional publishers, Inbound Books positions itself as a direct competitor to mid-sized presses relying on older gatekeeping methods.
Local authors in San Antonio now have access to a new submission path that prioritizes higher royalty payouts and collaborative marketing support. Readers can expect to see books from this press available at major retailers and local bookshops later this year.
The takeaway
The cooperative model offers a potential template for writers seeking more control over their marketing and earnings. Aspiring authors should evaluate whether a stakeholder-based press aligns with their long-term professional goals compared to traditional contracts.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts in decentralized labor and creative ventures, see Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
Live Poll
Would you prefer to publish through an independent co-op rather than a traditional publisher?
