How Your Favorite Independent Books Get to the Shelf, and Our Partnership With Simon & Schuster

When you pick up a book at your favorite bookstore, you probably don't think about how it got there. But behind every book on a shelf is a long journey: from author to editor to printer to warehouse, and finally to the stores, libraries, and online retailers where readers find it. For independent publishers, that last leg, distribution, can make all the difference between a book that reaches readers around the world and one that struggles to be found.

That's why Library Tales Publishing is thrilled to share that its books are now distributed by Simon & Schuster, one of the most respected names in publishing. The partnership came about through a strategic alliance with Ulysses Press, an independent publisher that Publishers Weekly has named one of its fastest-growing independent publishers.

To understand why this matters, it helps to know how book distribution works. Most readers never see this side of the industry, but it's essential. A distributor handles the enormous logistics of getting books into the world: warehousing inventory, fulfilling orders, and, crucially, working with bookstores, libraries, and retailers so they can discover and stock a publisher's titles. Large distributors have longstanding relationships with retailers around the globe and dedicated sales teams who present new books to buyers. For an independent press, partnering with a major distributor can open doors that would otherwise be very difficult to reach, putting its books in front of booksellers and readers on a much larger scale.

Simon & Schuster brings extraordinary reach to that work. Founded in 1924, it has grown into one of the most prestigious and influential publishing houses in the world, home to countless bestselling authors and a catalog spanning fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and audiobooks. Joining its global distribution network means Library Tales Publishing's catalog can reach far more readers than ever before.

For Library Tales Publishing, the partnership marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Founded in 2011, the press has built a diverse catalog that spans memoir, self-help, fiction, children's books, art instruction, cookbooks, and more, with a mission to celebrate the power of storytelling by bringing a wide range of voices to readers. The new distribution relationship began with the press's bestselling backlist titles in the fall of 2024, followed by a slate of new releases.

CEO Usher Morgan described the alliance with Ulysses Press and access to Simon & Schuster's distribution network as a significant milestone for the company, and an opportunity to elevate its authors and their work, with the goal of enriching, educating, and entertaining readers worldwide.

That last part is what matters most. Independent publishers often champion books and authors that might otherwise be overlooked: debut novelists, first-time memoirists, niche experts, and distinctive voices with stories to tell. Stronger distribution means more of those books can find their way to the readers who need them, whether that's a parent searching for the right picture book, a teacher looking for classroom resources, or someone looking for a memoir that makes them feel less alone.

For readers, the result is simple: it's easier than ever to find Library Tales Publishing books at your favorite bookstore, library, or online retailer. And for the authors we work with, it means their stories can travel farther than ever before.

We can't wait to see where these stories go next.