Odyssey Books is a small and boutique publisher of non-fiction books with a special interest in topics that expand and explore consciousness. It offers small-run authors a publishing solution with a supportive team of publishing professionals.
This is the books division run in partnership with Odyssey Magazine. The offices are based in Cape Town South Africa, but we work with authors all over the world.
We focus on self-help, inspirational, and transformational books and products, including books from Africa, memoirs, thought leadership and books of faith. We have over 17 years of experience in the publishing industry.
WHAT WE PUBLISH
We have a special interest in
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books by African authors (non-fiction)
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mind-body-spirit
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self-help, inspirational and transformational books and products.
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business inspirational
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academic
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and wilderness and nature books
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self-help books
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books of faith (New Age, Christian, Jewish, Islamic scholars, Traditional African Religions, non-denominational)
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Poetry
We do not currently publish
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Novels - of any kind or age group.
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Recipe books
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Childrens books
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Photography or image-driven books
Odyssey Books has a long publishing history and has evolved from a magazine publisher into a book publisher over a few decades. This publishing house started as QuickShift Publishing in 2017. It was started by Sarah Bullen and Kate Emmerson to publish two of their own books, including Clear Your Clutter and Write Your Book in 100 Days (2020).
Since 2017, it has grown into a boutique publishing house that focuses on small print runs. That means we start with under 500 copies of a book.
In 2023, founding partner Kate Emmerson left, and QuickShift Publishing merged with Dexsteps Publishing and Thandiwe Ngele to create Apis Books. In 2025 Apis Books joined with Odyssey Magazine to create a publishing division.
HOW ODYSSEY BOOKS WORKS
ODYSSEY has both a traditional and a hybrid publishing model. We will assess your book and its commercial viability and offer a publishing contract we think suits your possible publishing reach.
Many authors realise that few books end up with a traditional publishing house (think Penguin, Random House, Little Brown). There are vast volumes of books that are not going to find a home in a traditional (commercial) publishing house due to many market factors.
Many authors choose to be self-published or to adopt a hybrid publishing model. An increasing number of our authors opt for digital or online publishing only. Many of our authors are thought leaders or speakers who want to sell their own books and do not wish to pursue a traditional publishing deal. Others estimate that “back of the room sales” will yield higher profits. Other authors don’t have a book that will be a commercial success, but it is an important story.
With over 17 years of experience guiding authors, we are experts in what makes a book work and how to get it published. We have an extensive and passionate team of top professional editors, proofreaders, designers, and publicists to handle every aspect of your book
"I would like to thank the publishing team for all she has done to inspire, nudge and encourage me with patience, understanding and care to summit this enormous mountain. It's been an incredible journey of learning, not only what goes into writing a book but also publishing it. The team was there every step of the way. If you have a story inside you calling to be told - do it! AND this is the best place to take you on that journey"
Jo Marsh, Fearlessly Free to be Me
This publishing option is for you if.
You are ready to publish your book.
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You have a high-quality completed manuscript.
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You meet our standards and fit into our publishing categories
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You are not seeking a traditional publishing deal
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You want a professionally published book
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You want a supportive process and development of your book and career as an author.
We offer a comprehensive publishing package and collaborate exclusively with established industry professionals, including editors, proofreaders, designers, graphic and layout artists, and publishing experts.
How the process works
We have a small team that will guide your book through all the necessary steps to publication.
After we receive your manuscript and assess your book, we will offer you one of two possible publishing deals.
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A traditional publishing contract
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A hybrid publishing deal.
Both models will come with a formal offer to publish if accepted.
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Your book is published under the imprint Odyssey Books
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You may be given a quoted fee for the services, or a required minimum of books to order.
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You may be offered a hybrid deal in which Odyssey Books will share in the costs and revenue of the book if we view it as a marketable book with a strong readership.
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We share the journey of making your book a success.
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This option suits authors with a finalized, high-quality manuscript who want a closer working relationship with a team to support you getting the best possible book out to market.
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You'll have your book in your hand, as well as access to print-ready files, eBook conversion, and distribution services, including print-on-demand options through Amazon. Additional services like AIS sheets for marketing and book images enhance your publishing experience.
It may be published on a digital platform only, or you may want a printed version. You can also opt for POD (Print on Demand), which is excellent for international sales.
Our publishing estimate has been based on the supplied words and our estimation of pages (excluding the cover but including preliminaries), calculated at 300 words per page. The final cost may change if the final word count, page count, or job specifications are altered.
Our tight and supportive team will guide you through each step in the complex publishing process.
As the author, your involvement is crucial at every stage of the process.
"The team took my life story and my work an put it into a book. It took a year and we did it as a series of interviews but having this book on the shelves has changed my business, and built me up as a player. It was a game-changer."
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David Manal - Kitchen Gangster
Our Publishing Team.
"We would like to say that we now have a great deal of expertise in getting books published and into the market, with over 17 years of publishing experience. We have a small but passionate team of professional editors, proofreaders and designers to handle every aspect of your book and we will take the time and share the risk in making your book a success."
Some of Our Books and Authors
