Black Rose Writing
Black Rose Writing is a privately-held independent book publisher based in San Antonio, Texas, offering no-fee traditional publishing services to authors across fiction, nonfiction, and children's genres, with global distribution through Ingram, Audible, Kobo/Walmart, and library networks.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersCastroville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Black Rose Writing does
Black Rose Writing is an independent book publisher founded by Reagan Rothe, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas (with roots in Castroville), operating three imprints: DigiTerra Publishing, Bookend Design, and La Casita Grande Editores. The company publishes fiction, nonfiction, and children's books across genres including fantasy, thriller, memoir, historical fiction, YA/middle grade, mystery, literary, humor, and women's fiction, with a catalog exceeding 1,400 titles as of March 2019. Its core product is a traditional royalty-based publishing service that charges no upfront author fees, instead investing in editing, cover design, production, and global distribution through Ingram, Kobo/Walmart, Google Play, Draft2Digital, Audible/Podium, and Overdrive library networks. Marketing leverages BookBub featured deals, NetGalley listings, Smith Publicity and PR By The Book services, the 'Heard it Through the Rosevine' podcast (launched January 2020), and viral BookTok success stories such as Shawn Warner's 'Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor' reaching No. 1. Technology stack centers on traditional editorial and design workflows augmented by an AI partnership with StoryFit and an 'AI Insights for Authors' feature; the company has been an ITW Recognized Publisher since 2018 and a member of the Crime Writers' Association since 2020, accumulating dozens of industry awards from Reader Views, IPPY, Maxy, NYC Big Book, Eric Hoffer, and National Indie Excellence programs between 2016 and 2025.
Black Rose Writing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Black Rose Writing
- Legal name
- Black Rose Writing
- Website
- https://blackrosewriting.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Black Rose Writing is a privately-held independent book publisher based in San Antonio, Texas, offering no-fee traditional publishing services to authors across fiction, nonfiction, and children's genres, with global distribution through Ingram, Audible, Kobo/Walmart, and library networks.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Black Rose Writing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Book Publishing
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (513130), Book Publishers (51313)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Genre & Category Publishing (Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Sci‑Fi/Fantasy, etc.) (MPAJAAAB)
Keywords
Where Black Rose Writing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Castroville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Black Rose Writing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Book Sales Revenue: Black Rose Writing generates revenue through sales of print books, ebooks, and audiobooks distributed globally. The publisher earns from book sales and pays authors traditional royalties. No author fees are charged.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | No upfront author fees; publisher invests in production and earns from book sales |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
Black Rose Writing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Black Rose Writing is an independent book publisher that accepts manuscript submissions from authors across multiple genres, invests in professional editing, cover design, production, and global distribution of print, ebook, and audiobook formats. The publisher charges no upfront fees to authors and pays traditional royalties starting from the first sale. The company also operates multiple imprints including La Casita Grande Editores for Latino-focused titles, DigiTerra Publishing, and Bookend Design.
Product overview
Black Rose Writing is an independent book publisher based in San Antonio, Texas, offering traditional publishing services with no author fees and royalty-based compensation. The company operates multiple imprints including DigiTerra Publishing, Bookend Design, and La Casita Grande Editores. They publish across diverse genres including Fantasy & Science Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Memoir & Biography, Historical Fiction, Young Adult & Middle Grade, Mystery & Crime, Literary & Humor, Children's Picture Books, and Women's Fiction. The company provides global distribution for print, ebook, and audiobook formats, along with a proprietary podcast called The Rosevine for author interviews and publishing industry content.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Black Rose Writing Publishing Services Independent book publishing service offering traditional royalty-based contracts with no author fees, providing editorial guidance, production value, and global distribution for print, ebook, and audiobook formats across multiple genres.
- La Casita Grande Editores Black Rose Writing's third imprint launched in October 2016, focused on Latino books outside usual themes, featured by NBC News.
- DigiTerra Publishing One of Black Rose Writing's imprints launched in March 2016 for expanded publishing categories.
- Bookend Design One of Black Rose Writing's imprints launched in March 2016 for expanded publishing categories.
- The Rosevine Podcast Podcast featuring interviews with Black Rose Writing authors, publishing industry discussions, and author Q&A sessions, including episodes with guests like ProWritingAid founder Chris Banks and Texas Frightmare Weekend founder Loyd Cryer.
Companies that use Black Rose Writing
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Black Rose Writing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Black Rose Writing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ingram Content GroupcoreAttended Ingram Indie Days 2018. Ingram provides content distribution services for print and digital books globally.
- KobocoreKobo partnered with Walmart to distribute eBooks both on Walmart.com and in physical storefronts, expanding retail reach.
- Draft2DigitalcoreDraft2Digital adds Bibliotheca for library distribution, increasing discoverability. Also provides distribution to major online retailers.
- OverdrivecoreOver 300 BRW eBooks available to borrow from local libraries via Overdrive. Direct partnership for library distribution.
- Google PlayminorBlack Rose Writing adds Google Play to digital book partners for expanded ebook distribution.
- NetGalleycoreAdded to NetGalley catalog in January 2016. NetGalley spotlights selected titles for reviewer discovery.
- Beacon AudiobooksminorPartnership with Beacon Audiobooks to narrate more titles, expanding audiobook catalog.
- PodiumminorPodium handles Audible distribution for titles like 'Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor'.
- Above the Treeline (Edelweiss)minorPartnership with Above the Treeline Edelweiss for academic and bookstore distribution.
- Smith PublicityminorSmith Publicity pitches selected Black Rose Writing titles to the media for additional publicity.
- PR By The BookminorPartnership for additional book publicity services.
- BookBubcoreBookBub features BRW titles for promotional reach. Multiple titles have received Featured Deals and advertising CPC campaigns.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves15 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Black Rose Writing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Workman Publishing: Independent trade publisher covering fiction, nonfiction, children's, and calendar books. Comparable to Black Rose Writing in independent trade focus, multi-format publishing, and direct-to-consumer marketing sophistication.
- Sourcebooks: Large independent trade book publisher with broad genre coverage and no-fee author acquisition model. Comparable to Black Rose Writing in independent positioning, multi-format distribution, and broad fiction/nonfiction catalog.
- Chronicle Books: Independent publisher with strengths in illustrated books, children's, gift, and trade titles. Comparable to Black Rose Writing in independent ownership and gift-driven, multi-category catalog approach.
- Kensington Books: Independent trade publisher with strong genre fiction and mass-market paperback presence. Comparable to Black Rose Writing in genre-led trade publishing, independent ownership, and broad author roster.
- Entangled Publishing: Independent publisher focused on romance, YA, and genre fiction with a mix of traditional and hybrid models. Comparable to Black Rose Writing in genre breadth, mid-size indie scale, and multi-imprint strategy.
- Quirk Books: Independent publisher known for genre fiction, YA, and quirky trade titles. Comparable to Black Rose Writing in indie positioning, multi-genre catalog, and emphasis on distinctive author branding.
- Akashic Books: Independent literary and genre publisher with award-winning catalog and curated imprints. Comparable to Black Rose Writing in independent positioning, award pursuit, and imprint-driven niche expansion.
Others
- Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing: Self-publishing platform that allows authors to bypass traditional publishers. Comparable to Black Rose Writing as the dominant alternative for authors weighing traditional versus self-publishing economics.
Emerging players
- Angry Robot: Independent science fiction and fantasy imprint. Comparable to Black Rose Writing's Fantasy & Science Fiction segment in genre specialization and indie scale.
Broad incumbents
- HarperCollins: Big Five publisher with massive genre, literary, and children's catalogs. Comparable to Black Rose Writing as the dominant competitive backdrop for author acquisition and retail shelf space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Black Rose Writing social profiles
Digital presenceBlack Rose Writing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Black Rose Writing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Black Rose Writing subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Black Rose Writing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Black Rose Writing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Black Rose Writing
What does Black Rose Writing do?
Black Rose Writing is an independent book publisher that accepts manuscript submissions from authors across multiple genres, invests in professional editing, cover design, production, and global distribution of print, ebook, and audiobook formats. The publisher charges no upfront fees to authors and pays traditional royalties starting from the first sale. The company also operates multiple imprints including La Casita Grande Editores for Latino-focused titles, DigiTerra Publishing, and Bookend Design.
Is Black Rose Writing a public or private company?
Black Rose Writing is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Black Rose Writing founded?
Black Rose Writing was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Black Rose Writing based?
Black Rose Writing is headquartered in Castroville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Black Rose Writing make money?
One revenue line is on record: book Sales Revenue.
Who are Black Rose Writing's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Workman Publishing, Sourcebooks, Chronicle Books, Kensington Books, Entangled Publishing, Quirk Books and Akashic Books. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing is listed as an others. Angry Robot is listed as an emerging player. HarperCollins is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Black Rose Writing have an API?
No public API is recorded for Black Rose Writing.
What industry is Black Rose Writing in?
Black Rose Writing's product category is Independent Book Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAAAB, Genre & Category Publishing (Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Sci‑Fi/Fantasy, etc.). Its NAICS code is 513130 and its SIC code is 2731.