Quality, craft, sustainability, and stewardship at a small publishing house
We have been hearing from some folks and seeing occasional comments online expressing that our newest book, Mushrooms of Cascadia (ISBN 978-1-941624-19-7; 576 pages, $59.95), is too expensive. We thought we’d dig into the topic here and explore why our books cost what they do (and how we’re lowering the price for those for whom it’s a barrier).
Nutshell Explanation:
Backcountry Press is committed to creating books with lasting value by investing in the people and processes that make each one special.
Read on for more detail on why supporting our work—and the stories we bring to life—is worth what we charge:
Book Production
We pride ourselves on producing high-quality books, both in terms of content and craftsmanship. Unlike large publishers, which prioritize mass production, we focus on each book as a unique product made for the hands of a special customer. This means careful editorial attention, meticulous design choices, and materials selected for their durability, aesthetic appeal, and shorter print runs to account for the ever evolving understandings of information with each printing.
Supporting Our Authors
Each book project we take on is unique, and it follows that we pay the authors, cartographers, photographers, editors, and even indexers in customized ways to best compensate them for their contributions. This is often a blend of:
- A set royalty payment for each book sold
- Payment for an hourly rate
- A certain number of free books (with option to purchase additional books at wholesale)
- We have just recently gotten to the point that we can offer payments in advance for authors to work on certain titles (yay!).
- Authors have the option to teach classes for payment through Backcountry Press (online and/or in-person) as a way to further support their writing and research time and help bring their content to life! (EX: the Mushrooms of Cascadia Class and Klamath Mountains Webinar Series)
Printed in the USA
Printing books in the USA offers several advantages for us:
- Quality Control: Printing in the U.S. makes it easier to oversee production quality and address issues immediately, reducing the risk of errors or substandard materials.
- Environmental Impact: Printing domestically reduces the carbon footprint associated with overseas shipping, and our Illinois-based printer follows strict environmental standards (see next section).
- Supporting Local Economy: By working with a midwestern printer we are supporting the American economy and contributing to the publishing industry domestically.
Paper Choices
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper is our choice for book printing because it supports environmentally and socially responsible forestry practices.
- Sustainability: FSC certification ensures that the paper comes from responsibly managed forests where trees are replanted, biodiversity is preserved, and the ecosystem is maintained.
- Ethical Labor Practices: The FSC certification requires fair treatment and wages for workers, including respecting indigenous communities and their rights.
- Better for Carbon Footprint: FSC forests are managed to maintain or even enhance their ability to store carbon.
- Quality Assurance: FSC-certified mills and processes are monitored for quality as well as environmental practices, ensuring high-quality paper that is consistent and reliable for printing purposes.
A Family Run Business
Backcountry Press is mission-driven, founded on the belief that books about nature make a positive impact and promote an understanding of the importance of stewardship. We are on a mission to enhance the human connection with the natural world through easy to understand science and direct experience in nature.
Running a business that puts mission at the forefront has it’s financial challenges, especially in an industry where profit margins are already tight. Without the advantage of mass production (we usually print books in runs of 3,000) we rely on the support of dedicated readers to sustain our business. We are at work in the field, at our computer screens, and building muscle handling logistics. Turns out books are heavy! Every book ordered is touched by us (Allison, Michael, and maybe even our kids!) several times:
- As we unload pallets received from Illinois at the shipping station in Arcata or Eureka into the back of our vintage Tacoma–and often the cars of some very kind friends as well!
- As we schlep them into, and then gradually out of, our climate controlled storage unit
- As we pack each of your personal orders or those of our vendors for shipment
- Finally we carry your packages into the post office and wish your books a successful journey. Shoutout to the awesome folks at the little Bayside, CA neighborhood post office! Y’all rock.
We are always happy to deliver books to our local vendors 🙂
Each book sale helps fund future projects and ensures we can continue to take risks on stories that matter. By investing in these books, readers are supporting a business model that values a love for stories about the natural world that are often untold, perhaps because they are hyper-local or hyper-specific (Plants of Mount Tamalpais or Field Guide to Manzanitas, anyone?!).
Buying our books is powerful way to participate in a publishing ecosystem that uplifts voices (and species!) often sidelined by large publishers. Thank you for supporting these efforts!
Sustainable book production
While large publishers offer the convenience of lower prices, these cost-cutting measures often come at the expense of quality and sustainability. Backcountry Press is committed to values that many of our thoughtful readers share: supporting authors, prioritizing environmental sustainability, and creating books with craftsmanship and care.
Paying a little extra for these books isn’t just about purchasing a product; it’s about supporting a movement that values creativity, ethics, and respect for both people and the planet.
Great backstory! Thanks for sharing and for all the excellent work you do. The titles you produce really can’t be found anywhere else.
Hello Fabulous Folks at Backcountry Press: Your books are never overpriced. They are nature, science and art all wrapped up with love. With sincere appreciation for all that you do to educate us.