Meet Emily Hitchcock | Book Publisher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Hitchcock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Book publishing doesn’t have to take place in a big city. Small presses and independent publishers are producing some of the best, most daring books in the industry right now, and many of those publishing companies are staffed by talented editors and book designers in big and small corners of the Midwest. These publishers have the freedom to publish books that might otherwise be overlooked in a flooded market, and they’re light on their feet when it comes to marketing in a way that’s allowed them to connect more directly with readers than ever before. Long live local literature and independent publishing!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Boyle & Dalton is a hybrid book publishing company located in Newark, Ohio. We combine the vetting and high-end book production of a traditional publisher, the speed and rights retention of an indie publishing model, and the individualized, publisher-guided experience of a small press.

We often become a home for exceptional books that don’t quite fit the traditional publishing mold in the current moment. There’s a beautiful freedom in being able to publish books based on quality, not on trend, and this has given us the opportunity to work with incredibly talented authors over the past decade.

Those authors really shaped the trajectory of the company. Not just the success of their books, although those did establish our brand and reputation, but working so closely with authors illuminated what they needed and wanted from a publisher. There are plenty of “book factories” out there, both in the traditional and independent spheres. Cranking out books assembly-line style doesn’t appeal to me, and it doesn’t produce great books. Authors should know their developmental editors. Authors should have access to their publisher. Publishers should care and be excited about the books carrying their logo.

Making books is challenging. You need an impossible eye for detail, a never-ending work ethic, and a passion for literature that can outlast industry burnout. But seeing an author hold a book in their hands that once was just a manuscript and before that an idea makes it all worthwhile.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d organize a bookstore crawl that hits well-known spots like The Book Loft and Two Dollar Radio in Columbus, but I’d also budget a lot of time for lesser-known gems like Kicks Mix Bookstore in Newark, which does a monumental amount to support local authors.

We’d take our book haul to the Newark Earthworks (a National Historic Landmark!) and do some reading outside.

The Columbus Collage Collective’s collage parties are always a good time (defacing printed matter in the guise of collage is how book people get out the stress of the job).

And finally, I like my dive bars like I like my bookstores (full of characters), so we’d seek out some cash-only, wood-paneling-heavy spots like Johnnie’s in Grandview or The Draft House in Newark for a nightcap.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I could write a whole love letter to the book Lies in Bone by Natalie Symons, which we published in fall of 2021. This book exemplifies so much of what’s special about independent publishing. Natalie (an accomplished playwright) initially shopped the Lies in Bone manuscript to traditional publishers, but was told her young female protagonist was “too unlikeable” and that she should be softened before the book could be a commercial success. When the Lies in Bone manuscript landed on my desk, I loved its scrappy central character and immediately knew I wanted to publish it.

Upon release, Lies in Bone went on to garner huge accolades from critics and readers alike. Every milestone for that book was, and remains, a reminder to me that small presses can produce big books. Authors like Natalie who aren’t afraid to buck the traditional system and fight for their characters make my job as publisher a privilege.

Website: https://www.boyleanddalton.com

Instagram: @boyleanddalton

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-hitchcock-60bb5487/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoyleandDalton

Image Credits
Melissa Pauquette