Today we’d like to introduce you to Don Gomez.
Don, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Sterncastle Publishing was born out of a desire to democratize the publishing landscape and create more opportunities for publication for authors who identify in demographics that have been historically underrepresented in mainstream publishing including, but not limited to, those who identify as Black, Latino, Indigenous, veterans, LGBTQ+, etc.
Since our founding in 2022, we have grown rapidly by focusing on work from authors whose unique voices need to be heard and whose experiences need to be shared.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As with any small business, there have certainly been growing pains. Over the last four years, we have test-marketed many projects and potential revenue streams to find out what works best in order to keep on a growth trajectory.
One of the main struggles we have faced is dealing with direct competition from some of the largest publishers in the world. We are competing one to one on the same platforms, and for the same customers, as all of the big five publishing houses, including internationally recognized brands such as Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, and Macmillan. This competition has spurred us to always be on our A-game and to ensure that each book we publish is a superior product.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sterncastle Publishing is an independent, traditional publisher of fiction, folklore, poetry, memoir, and biography. We have also recently launched Sterncastle Magazine, a themed quarterly literary magazine which is quickly garnering an international following with a confirmed readership in five nations including the US, Canada, France, UK, and Australia.
We are proud to offer many touchpoints to interact with our business that many small press publishers are not able to offer. This includes a sponsored writing group program, which we are working to expand to more locations nationwide. We also offer a book nook shop at our headquarters in Newport, OR where we sell not only our books but also carry a robust selection by authors local to the central Oregon Coast whether they are self-published or brought to market by another publisher, so that people can connect better with local authors.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I don’t think anyone would have pegged me as a future publisher. In fact, I’m surprised myself sometimes that this is where I have arrived.
I come from an economically adverse background, and even had to enlist in the Marine Corps to be able to afford college. I think it was my military service that instilled the discipline I needed to become the man I am today. I find it unfortunate that in the “land of opportunity” one would have to put their life on the line for a mere shot at that opportunity. That said though, I am proud of my service and my upbringing, and wouldn’t change anything even if I could. It molded me into a type of person that I am proud to be.
Pricing:
- Sterncastle Magazine is available free to everyone and can be read at: sterncastle.hflip.co/q12026
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sterncastle.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sterncastle_publishing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sterncastlepublishing
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Sterncastle
