Hub City Writers Project

What Hub City Writers Project does

Hub City Writers Project is a 501(c)(3) literary nonprofit organization founded in 1995 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, operating three integrated arms: Hub City Press (an independent literary publisher issuing 8–10 titles annually with a backlist exceeding 150), Hub City Bookshop (the nation's first full-service bookstore operated by a nonprofit, housed in a historic Masonic Temple at 186 West Main Street), and a programming division that runs the annual Writing in Place conference, writing workshops, manuscript critique services, multiple book clubs, and over 100 author and community events per year. Its editorial mandate is exclusively Southern literary fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and local history, spanning 14 Southern states and prioritizing debut writers and voices from underrepresented communities.

The organization funds itself through a diversified nonprofit revenue stack: bookshop retail (new, used, audiobooks via Libro.fm, merchandise via Bonfire), press sales distributed nationally through Publishers Group West, a Writing Club membership program with a $40 minimum annual donation, paid workshops and manuscript critiques ($360–$900 per engagement), donor premium tiers ($150–$1,000), and institutional grants and donations from the NEA, Women Giving for Spartanburg, Milliken & Company, the Literary Arts Fund, and others. Outreach programs Books as Mirrors (a $200,000+ three-year school library initiative now in 11 Spartanburg County elementary schools) and Zora Bucks (a neuroscience-backed choice-driven children's literacy program distributed through schools, shelters, libraries, and social service partners) extend the organization's reach into local literacy outcomes, placing approximately 5,000 children's books annually in low-income Spartanburg homes.

The technology footprint is intentionally minimal and SaaS-dependent: Submittable for manuscript submissions, Eventbrite for workshop registration, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for online retail, Bonfire for merchandise, Mailchimp for newsletters, and imgix for image delivery. There is no proprietary technology platform, mobile app, or API. The organization employs 8–9 staff across publishing, retail, and programming functions, supported by a board of directors and led by Executive Director/Publisher Meg Reid, with founder Betsy Teter transitioned to Board Member Emeritus and Senior Advisor.

Name

Hub City Writers Project

Legal name

Hub City Writers Project

Website

https://hubcity.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Literary Press and Bookstore

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Literary & Classics Publishing (MPAJAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Literary Arts & Writing Organizations (BPAGAHAK), Arts, Culture & Literary Magazines (MPAJAEAN), Reader Community, Serialization & Monetization Platforms (Web fiction, Subscriptions) (MPAJAJAM), Fiction Writing Workshops (Short Story, Novel) (EDAMAMAA)

Keywords

• Independent literary publishing
• Independent bookstore retail
• Literary arts programming
• Community literacy outreach
• Book distribution services

Headquarters

HQ city

Spartanburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Book Sales (Publishing): Hub City Press publishes 8-10 literary titles annually and maintains a backlist of over 150 titles. The press generates revenue through the sale of published books across fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and local interest categories. Distribution is handled nationally through Publishers Group West.
2. Bookshop Retail Sales: Hub City Bookshop operates as a full-service independent bookstore offering Southern literature, literary fiction and nonfiction, history, children's books, and Hub City Press titles. All proceeds fund creative writing education, community outreach, and publishing.
3. Membership Program: Writing Club attendees must become members after their first meeting. Membership requires a minimum annual donation of $40 and includes discounts at Hub City Bookshop, frequent-buyer perks, exclusive access to events, and more.
4. Donations and Grants: As a nonprofit organization, Hub City Writers Project receives donations and grants to support operations and literacy programs. The organization received its first NEA grant in 2000 and continues to receive foundation and corporate support for programs like Zora Bucks and Books as Mirrors.
5. Workshop and Critique Fees: The organization generates revenue through workshop registration fees and the Manuscript Critique Program, which offers professional editorial services at discounted rates ($360-$500 per manuscript review).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hub City Writers Project is a literary nonprofit operating three integrated arms: Hub City Press, which publishes 8-10 literary titles annually focused exclusively on Southern writers with a backlist exceeding 150 titles; Hub City Bookshop, a full-service independent bookstore in downtown Spartanburg specializing in Southern literature and hosting 100+ events annually; and a Writers Project arm delivering writing workshops, manuscript critique services, book clubs, fellowships, residencies, and literacy outreach programs such as Zora Bucks and Books as Mirrors.

Product overview

Hub City Writers Project is a literary nonprofit organization comprised of three interconnected components: Hub City Press (the core publishing arm), Hub City Bookshop (the retail division), and programming initiatives. Hub City Press publishes 8-10 Southern literary titles annually through various prizes including the New Southern Voices Poetry Book Prize, Deep Line Poetry Series, South Carolina Novel Series, and Hub City Shorts, with flagship titles like Hope House and Hothouse Bloom. The Bookshop operates as a full-service retail operation selling new and used books, audiobooks via Libro.fm, and merchandise. Programming includes Zora Bucks literacy outreach, Books as Mirrors school library initiative, writing workshops (Winter Intensive, Writing Club), and book clubs. The organization also distributes Gravy Quarterly for the Southern Foodways Alliance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Books as Mirrors: A three-year literacy initiative providing diverse and culturally relevant books to Spartanburg County public elementary school libraries.
• Zora Bucks
• Zora Nelle

Products and services

• Hub City Press The South's premier independent literary press, publishing 8-10 titles annually focused exclusively on Southern writers across fiction, poetry, memoir, nonfiction, and regional culture/history. Maintains a backlist of over 150 titles with national distribution through Publishers Group West.
• Hub City Bookshop Full-service independent bookstore located at 186 West Main Street, Spartanburg, SC, specializing in Southern literature, literary fiction and nonfiction, history, children's books, and Hub City Press titles. Hosts over 100 events annually including author readings, signings, book clubs, and community programs. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm and seasonally on Sundays.
• Writing Workshops Educational programming including the Winter Intensive Workshop ($900 tuition with lunch, dinner, and coffee included; 12-14 participants per class), Summer Manuscript Critique Program, and monthly Writing Club sessions, geared toward fostering literary community in Upstate South Carolina.
• Manuscript Critique Program Professional editorial manuscript critique service featuring professional reviewers including Anson Tong ($360, feedback in 6-8 weeks), Jonathan Russell Clark ($400, feedback in 2-16 weeks), and Anne Elizabeth Moore ($500, feedback up to 16 weeks).
• Writing Club Membership Monthly in-person writing group with generative activities and feedback sessions led by Writing Coordinator Nina Barrios. Membership requires a $40 minimum annual donation and includes 10% discount on bookshop purchases, 20% off NY Times Bestsellers, 25% off Hub City Press books, frequent-buyer perks, and exclusive access to events.
• Used Book Program Used book donation and store credit program accepting gently used books. Offers store credit at $1.75 for hardbacks, $1.25 for paperbacks, and $2.50 for oversized/large books. Evaluation completes in 1-2 business days.
• Audiobook Sales (Libro.fm Affiliate) Audiobook sales through Libro.fm affiliate partnership. Customers can purchase audiobooks while supporting Hub City Bookshop with a portion of proceeds returned to the indie bookstore.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,000 children's books placed annually in low-income homes through annual book drive
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Southern Foodways AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHub City Press is the national distributor of Gravy Quarterly, published by the Southern Foodways Alliance. Gravy shares original narratives about the changing American South and supports over 100 writers, illustrators, and photographers annually. Gravy was named Publication of the Year by the James Beard Foundation.
• Chapman Cultural CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Watson Brown Southern Studies Fellowship for Arts and Letters was launched in 2021 in partnership with the Chapman Cultural Center to support literary arts in the region.
• Brain Food BooksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrain Food Books' Golden Ticket initiative in Salt Lake City inspired Hub City's Zora Bucks program design, which provides neuroscience-backed, choice-driven literacy experiences for children.
• Spartanburg County Public Elementary SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBooks as Mirrors initiative partners with public elementary schools in Spartanburg County including Cleveland Academy of Leadership, Drayton Mills Elementary, Duncan Elementary, Jesse S. Bobo Elementary, Roebuck Elementary, Woodland Heights Elementary (Year 1), and Arcadia Elementary, E.P. Todd Elementary, Lone Oak Elementary, Mary H. Wright Elementary, New Prospect Elementary (Year 2).
• Publishers Group WestcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHub City Press is distributed to the trade by Publishers Group West, a division of IPS based in Berkeley, CA. This partnership enables national bookstore distribution.
• John F. Blair Publisher (Historical)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHub City Press joined John F. Blair Distribution in 2009 before moving to Publishers Group West in 2017.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tin House: Literary organization combining an independent press, magazine, and bookseller with strong programming focus. Highly comparable as another small literary nonprofit press with multi-component structure and commitment to emerging writers.
• Coffee House Press: Artist-driven nonprofit literary publisher based in Minneapolis. Directly comparable as a small literary nonprofit press focused on risk-taking fiction, poetry, and essay with national distribution.
• Copper Canyon Press: Independent nonprofit literary publisher dedicated exclusively to poetry. Directly comparable as a poetry-focused nonprofit press with strong national reputation and similar backlist dynamics.
• Sarabande Books: Independent nonprofit literary press publishing fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Comparable as a small nonprofit literary press with a curated list and commitment to literary excellence.
• Milkweed Editions: Independent nonprofit literary publisher of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry with a mission-driven editorial focus. Comparable as a literary nonprofit publisher combining press activities with community programming.
• Graywolf Press: Independent nonprofit literary publisher publishing poetry, fiction, and nonfiction from emerging and established authors. Direct comparable as a nonprofit literary press of similar scale and editorial ambition.
• Four Way Books: Independent nonprofit literary publisher of poetry and literary fiction. Comparable as a small literary nonprofit press publishing 8-12 titles annually with similar scale and editorial mandate.
• Akashic Books: Independent literary publisher focused on urban literary fiction and nonfiction with a place-based editorial identity. Comparable as an independent press with strong geographic/cultural focus and national distribution.

Regional players

• University of Georgia Press: Academic publisher with strong Southern regional and literary focus. Comparable as a Southern-focused publisher, though with an academic/affiliated institutional structure rather than independent nonprofit model.

Broad incumbents

• Algonquin Books: Independent literary publisher (now part of Hachette) with strong Southern and literary fiction orientation. Comparable as a literary press with Southern focus, though operating at larger scale and with corporate backing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hubcitypress
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UChRmqacNdUrnU6r_wwh-t0g
• Facebookfacebook.com/hubcitywritersproject
• Instagraminstagram.com/hubcitywriters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hub-city-writers-project

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hub City Writers Project