My New Publishing Gig

Before I published my memoir last October, I got a lot of advice from a lot of people (both IRL and, I admit a bit sheepishly, on my Instagram feed). One straight-shooting editor I worked with told me that memoirs are the hardest books to sell. Because I am neither a celebrity nor an influencer, and my story does not feature an “outsize hook” (meaning some rock bottom tragedy or other you-can’t-make-this-shit-up craziness), my chances of breaking out of the slush pile were lower than the waistband of Britney’s jeans at the turn of the millennium.

Based on that feedback, and having decided to forgo the agent route, I wound up connecting with an independent publishing house that did not require authors to have an agent to submit their manuscript for acquisition. After several months of manuscript development with an in-house editor, I was told that “sales and marketing won out over editorial passion” and they would not be acquiring my manuscript. I was crushed.

Enter my dear friend, fellow author, and all-around force for good in the world, Samantha Perkins. Samantha read my Substack post and immediately reached out to set up a Zoom. I cried as I told Samantha my story. In response, she said, “Jen, you need to meet my friend Becky Sasso.”

So I set up a call with Becky. When she popped up on my laptop screen in her glitter glasses, coming to me live from what looked like a giant walk-in closet doubling as an office, filled to the brim—but well-organized—with colorful clothes, stacks of books, and an evil eye ornament hanging on a bookshelf over her right shoulder, I was intrigued. As soon as she started talking about how much she loved my manuscript (She laughed! She cried! She read the whole thing!), I was smitten. I felt seen. And, for an aspiring author, that means everything.

“Becky,” I said, “this might sound vain but I have to tell you. It’s important for me to publish my book under an imprint. I want the little logo on the spine. I want to be able to say, ‘Published by so-and-so.’ I have always wanted my book to be recognized and presented that way. And I just don’t know how I’m going to be able to do that.”

“Well, Jen,” she replied with her genuine, sparkling smile, “I have actually just launched my own independent imprint. It’s called Invisible Ink Books, and I want to focus on publishing women’s memoir. Stories of transformation. Relatable, inspiring stories. Like yours.”

And I just knew. In my gut, I knew this was where my book belonged. This was how my book was going to make her way into the world. Becky was going to publish my book under her new imprint; and I was going to help her launch her company by being her second published title.

It felt right. From that first Zoom, and through each day of the six months we worked together to publish Mom, Rediscovered, I felt wholeheartedly that this was the way my book was meant to materialize. Working with Becky gave me more creative control. My book was published way sooner than it would have been at a traditional or more established indie house. I took pride in the fact that my book was being published by a woman entrepreneur who also happens to be an amazing human. I experienced so much goodness in a process that so many authors say can feel impersonal, stressful, and demoralizing.

Becky has now published three books, with a fourth on the way this spring and more in the pipeline. Last week, she asked me to join the Invisible Ink team as Community Manager, leading on social media, community outreach, and author launch support. Easy yes. I truly cannot freaking WAIT to help other women authors bring their stories into the light and into the world, while I continue to grow as an author myself.

We authors of Invisible Ink have become like a sisterhood, championing each other’s books. In fact, all of them joined me at my book tour stop in Louisville, which was organized and co-hosted by Samantha.

I had never met any of these women in person before. Yet they ALL showed up for me.

This is the culture of Invisible Ink Books.

We are not celebrities. We are not the bearers of outsize hooks. We are women with transformative stories to share. Our strength lies in our vulnerability, our openness, our desire to communicate and connect. Our stories are relatable, accessible, approachable. And that’s exactly what makes them inspiring and necessary.

Follow us on Instagram! We are going places, and everyone’s invited to come along for the ride.