Welcome to Acorn & Ink Publishing

Independent publishing. Exceptional storytelling. A home for authors.

TRADITIONAL INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER | NO AUTHOR FEES | 40% ROYALTIES ON NET RECEIPTS

MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN

We’re delighted to welcome manuscript submissions from both debut and established authors.

If you’ve written a novel and are looking for a supportive, collaborative publishing home, we’d love to hear from you.

GENERAL ENQUIRIES: acornandinkpublishing@gmail.com

Have a question about our publishing house, forthcoming releases or manuscript submissions? Please contact our team using the email address above.

About Acorn & Ink Publishing

At Acorn & Ink Publishing, we believe every great story deserves a passionate publishing team behind it.

Founded by Kelly Lacey and Dwayne Mathers, Acorn & Ink Publishing is an independent traditional publishing house dedicated to championing exceptional fiction, supporting talented authors and bringing unforgettable stories to readers.

From gripping crime thrillers and psychological suspense to immersive fantasy, romance, historical fiction and beyond, we’re proud to publish stories that entertain, challenge and captivate.

We work with both established and emerging authors, bringing together a diverse range of voices, experiences and storytelling styles.

But at the heart of everything we do are our authors.

We understand that every manuscript represents months, often years, of dedication, imagination and hard work.

That’s why we’re committed to building genuine, lasting relationships with the writers who choose to publish with us.

Our approach is personal, collaborative and built on mutual respect. We believe authors should feel valued, supported and involved throughout their publishing journey.

Whether you’re an established novelist seeking a new publishing home or an emerging writer taking your first steps towards publication, we believe great storytelling deserves to be celebrated.

Great stories. Great authors. Lasting partnerships.

Manuscript Submissions

Submissions Are Now Open

We’re delighted to announce that Acorn & Ink Publishing is currently accepting manuscript submissions.

We’re always excited to discover new voices, compelling characters and stories that stay with readers long after the final page.

Whether you’re a debut novelist or an established author looking for a new publishing home, we welcome your submission.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome:

Full-length fiction novels across a wide range of genres.
Crime fiction, thrillers and psychological suspense.
Contemporary fiction, romance and historical fiction.
Fantasy and other fiction genres.
Standalone novels and book series.
Manuscripts from debut and established authors.

Please note: We do not currently accept novellas or short fiction. Our publishing programme focuses on full-length novels.

How to Submit Your Manuscript

To submit your novel for consideration, please complete our official manuscript submission form.

We ask you to provide three things:

The first four chapters of your manuscript. This gives our team an opportunity to discover your writing style, characters and storytelling.
A brief synopsis. Please tell us about your story, including the main plot and how it develops.
A short author biography. Introduce yourself and tell us a little about your writing background.

You do not need to submit your full manuscript at this stage.

Please ensure all three elements are included in your submission.

COMPLETE OUR MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION FORM

Please submit each manuscript only once.

What Happens After You Submit?

Once you’ve submitted your manuscript, it will enter our submissions process for consideration.

Every submission represents someone’s hard work, and we appreciate the trust authors place in us when sharing their writing.

Our team takes time to consider each submission carefully, looking at the story, writing and its potential fit within our publishing programme.

Our current response timeframe is approximately three to four months.

We understand that waiting to hear from a publisher can be difficult, and we genuinely appreciate your patience while we work through submissions.

If your manuscript is of interest, we will contact you to discuss the next steps.

Can I Submit to Other Publishers?

Yes, absolutely!

We understand how important it is to find the right publishing home for your work.

Authors are very welcome to submit their manuscripts to other publishers and literary agents while waiting to hear from us.

We simply ask that you let us know if your manuscript is accepted elsewhere so we can update our records.

Is Acorn & Ink Publishing a Vanity Press?

No. Absolutely not.

Acorn & Ink Publishing is an independent traditional publishing house.

Our authors do not pay us to publish their books. Ever.

We do not charge authors submission fees, publishing fees or mandatory contributions towards the publication of their work.

When we offer an author a publishing contract, we’re investing in their story and building a genuine publishing partnership.

We believe authors should be paid for their writing, not asked to pay for the privilege of being published.

There are no hidden publishing charges, no compulsory publishing packages and no requirement for our authors to purchase copies of their own books.

Our publishing model is built around working together to give each book the best possible opportunity to find its readers.

Author Royalties

We offer our authors 40% royalties on net receipts, as outlined in our publishing agreements.

We believe in transparency, fair treatment and developing long-term publishing relationships that benefit both our authors and our independent publishing house.

Our success is closely connected to the success of the books we publish, and that shared commitment is incredibly important to us.

Our Approach to Publishing

At Acorn & Ink Publishing, we believe publishing should be a collaborative experience.

Our authors are at the heart of everything we do, and we want them to feel listened to, respected and involved throughout their publishing journey.

We understand that authors have invested an enormous amount of time, energy and emotion into their manuscripts. We never lose sight of that.

We aim to build long-term relationships with our authors rather than simply publish individual books.

Our publishing philosophy is simple:

No author fees. No hidden publishing charges. Genuine publishing partnerships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are manuscript submissions currently open?

Yes! We are currently accepting submissions from both debut and established authors.

What genres do you accept?

We consider full-length fiction across a wide range of genres, including crime, thrillers, psychological suspense, contemporary fiction, romance, historical fiction and fantasy.

Do you accept novellas or short stories?

No. Our current publishing programme focuses on full-length novels.

Do I need to send my entire manuscript?

No. At the initial submission stage, we only ask for your first four chapters, a brief synopsis and a short author biography.

How long will it take to hear back?

Our current response timeframe is approximately three to four months.

Can I submit my manuscript to other publishers at the same time?

Yes, absolutely. We welcome simultaneous submissions and simply ask that you let us know if your manuscript is accepted elsewhere.

Do authors have to pay to be published by Acorn & Ink?

No. Our authors pay absolutely nothing to be published with us.

We are a traditional independent publisher, not a vanity press.

What royalties do your authors receive?

Our authors receive 40% royalties on net receipts, in accordance with their publishing agreements.

Do you accept submissions from debut authors?

Yes! We love discovering new voices and welcome submissions from writers at every stage of their publishing careers.

How do I submit my manuscript?

Please use our official online manuscript submission form.

SUBMIT YOUR MANUSCRIPT

Ready to Join the Acorn & Ink Family?

We’re always excited by the possibility of discovering a wonderful new story.

Whether you’ve been writing for years or have just completed your first novel, we know how much work goes into bringing a manuscript to life.

If you feel Acorn & Ink Publishing could be the right home for your book, we’d love to hear from you.

MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN

SUBMIT YOUR MANUSCRIPT HERE

For questions about our submissions process or publishing house, please contact:

acornandinkpublishing@gmail.com

Meet Our Authors

The Acorn & Ink Publishing Family

One of the most rewarding parts of building Acorn & Ink Publishing is welcoming talented storytellers into our growing author family.

We’re incredibly proud to work with writers who bring imagination, experience and distinctive voices to their fiction.

Each author brings something unique to our publishing house, and we’re honoured to help bring their stories to readers.

We believe the best publishing relationships are built on trust, shared enthusiasm and a genuine love of books.

Great stories. Great authors. Lasting partnerships.

Meet Our Authors

The Acorn & Ink Publishing Family

One of the most rewarding parts of building Acorn & Ink Publishing is welcoming talented storytellers into our growing author family.

We’re incredibly proud to work with writers who bring imagination, experience and distinctive voices to their fiction.

From award-winning novelists to exciting emerging voices, our authors represent a wonderful range of storytelling talent.

Meet the writers who are helping shape the future of Acorn & Ink Publishing.

Jackie McLean

Acclaimed Scottish crime writer Jackie McLean is known for creating gripping mysteries, compelling characters and atmospheric crime fiction.

Her storytelling has earned her a loyal following, and we’re delighted to be publishing her work as part of an exciting three-book partnership with Acorn & Ink Publishing.

Jackie’s talent for creating authentic characters and compelling investigations makes her a wonderful addition to our crime fiction list.

F.E. Birch

Former police officer, award-winning businesswoman and acclaimed crime writer F.E. Birch brings a wealth of real-world experience to her fiction.

Known for her authentic investigations, dark twists and unforgettable characters, her work draws upon a fascinating background in policing.

We’re thrilled to be working with F.E. Birch as part of a two-book publishing deal and look forward to bringing her gripping stories to readers.

Abigail Osborne

Award-winning author Abigail Osborne writes gripping psychological thrillers that explore the darker side of human nature.

With compelling characters, emotional depth and expertly crafted suspense, her novels keep readers guessing until the very last page.

We’re incredibly proud to publish Abigail’s work, including her psychological thriller The Good Husband, and look forward to sharing more of her storytelling with readers.

Gary Donnelly

Belfast-born crime writer Gary Donnelly is known for his atmospheric and authentic crime fiction.

Drawing on Northern Ireland’s rich and complex history, his novels combine compelling investigations with unforgettable characters and a powerful sense of place.

His DI Owen Sheen series has attracted readers who enjoy intelligent, character-driven crime fiction.

We’re delighted to welcome Gary to Acorn & Ink Publishing and look forward to sharing his gripping stories with readers.

Roxan Burley

Roxan Burley writes immersive fantasy fiction filled with imaginative worlds, memorable characters and extraordinary adventures.

Her captivating storytelling and distinctive creative voice make her a wonderful addition to the Acorn & Ink Publishing family.

We’re excited to work alongside Roxan and bring her imaginative fiction to readers who love escaping into extraordinary worlds.

Rebecca McKinney

Rebecca McKinney writes compelling thrillers filled with suspense, memorable characters and intriguing mysteries.

We’re delighted to welcome Rebecca to Acorn & Ink Publishing as part of a three-book publishing agreement.

Her Jones & Bell thrillers combine character-driven storytelling with the twists and turns that readers of crime and suspense fiction love.

We’re looking forward to working alongside Rebecca and introducing her stories to even more readers.

Catherine Aitken

We’re delighted to welcome Catherine Aitken to the Acorn & Ink Publishing family.

We’re looking forward to sharing more about Catherine, her writing and the stories we’ll be bringing to readers through our publishing partnership.

Further information about her forthcoming publications will be announced through our website and social media channels.

Annemarie Allan

We’re delighted to welcome Annemarie Allan to our growing family of authors.

Acorn & Ink Publishing is passionate about celebrating distinctive storytelling and supporting authors throughout their publishing journey.

We look forward to sharing more about Annemarie’s writing and forthcoming publications in due course.

Paul D Coombs

rhdr

We’re delighted to welcome Paul D Coombs to Acorn & Ink Publishing.

We’re excited to begin this publishing partnership and look forward to introducing readers to his work.

Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for further announcements about Paul’s forthcoming publications.

Cynthia Brubaker

Cynthia Brubaker writes imaginative fantasy and paranormal romance, bringing together magical worlds, supernatural mysteries and compelling romantic relationships.

Her published works include Gomada Academy, Cursed Campus, A Christmas Cadence, A Halloween Hit, Sails and Sirens, Of Hearts and Hunters and Masquerade.

From magical academies to shifter romances and enchanting supernatural adventures, Cynthia’s work offers readers the opportunity to escape into extraordinary worlds.

We’re delighted to welcome Cynthia to Acorn & Ink Publishing through an exciting multi-book publishing agreement.

Caitlyn Callery

Award-winning romance author Caitlyn Callery writes Regency romantic thrillers, romance set during the Roaring Twenties and contemporary romance.

Her work has received recognition from the Romantic Novelists’ Association across three consecutive years.

Her novel Viscount in Hiding won the 2024 Heart Award for a Sensual Novel, while The Earl Pretender and Acting the Nabob have also received award recognition.

We’re delighted to welcome Caitlyn to Acorn & Ink Publishing through an exciting ten-book publishing agreement.

Her experience, enthusiasm and passion for storytelling make her a wonderful addition to our growing author family.

Philip Caveney

Philip Caveney has enjoyed an extraordinary writing career spanning almost five decades.

First published in 1977, Philip has written extensively across adult thrillers, children’s fiction, young adult adventures and supernatural fiction.

He is known for his popular Sebastian Darke series and his darker supernatural novels written under the pen name Danny Weston.

His extensive publishing history and ability to move between genres make him an exciting addition to our growing publishing house.

We’re incredibly proud to welcome Philip through a multi-book publishing agreement and look forward to sharing more about our forthcoming publications together.

Jen Kacin

Jennifer Kacin, writing as Jen Kacin, is a young adult fiction author, social worker and speaker with a passion for helping young people recognise their own strength, appreciate the strengths of others and discover the deep well of strength that comes through faith.

Jen is also the founder of Compass Talks, an initiative offering coaching focused on teenagers’ emotional well-being.

When she isn’t writing or supporting others through her work, Jen enjoys outdoor adventures, spending time with her family of six and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

We’re delighted to welcome Jen to Acorn & Ink Publishing through an exciting three-book publishing agreement. Her passion for storytelling, resilience and inspiring young readers makes her a wonderful addition to our growing author family.

Discover more about Jen’s work at www.compasstalks.com.

Our Books

Discover Your Next Great Read

At Acorn & Ink Publishing, we’re passionate about bringing exceptional fiction into the hands of readers.

Our catalogue continues to grow as we work alongside talented authors to publish stories across a wide range of genres.

Whether you’re searching for a gripping psychological thriller, an atmospheric crime novel, an immersive fantasy adventure or a romance that stays with you long after the final page, we hope you’ll discover something to love.

New Releases and Coming Soon

Our publishing programme is growing, with exciting new titles, cover reveals and publication announcements on the horizon.

Explore our books to discover:

Our latest publications.
Forthcoming releases.
Cover reveals and pre-order information.
New titles from our growing author family.

We’re excited to share the stories we’re bringing to readers and invite you to follow along as our catalogue develops.

Supporting Independent Publishing

Choosing a book from an independent publisher means supporting more than a single story.

You’re supporting the creativity and dedication of an author, the hard work of an independent publishing team and the people who help bring books into the world.

At Acorn & Ink Publishing, we’re passionate about building a community that celebrates storytelling and supports the authors behind the books.

There are so many ways to make a difference.

Follow our social media channels, share our announcements, discover our authors, recommend their books and help introduce their stories to new readers.

Every interaction, recommendation and purchase helps independent publishing continue to grow.