HOW IT ALL BEGAN
BORN FROM FRUSTRATION, BUILT ON A VISION
Like many writers, we finished our novels, polished every chapter, and sent out queries with hope. The responses, however, weren’t about the strength of our stories. They were about timing. “It’s not the right climate.” “This would’ve been more marketable during the Black Lives Matter movement.” “We love the writing, but…”
Again and again, we heard that our work didn’t fit the current trend. But stories that matter shouldn’t have to trend.
So, we stopped waiting.
We didn’t wait for the industry to change. We created what we couldn’t find.
We built Astoria & Ink Publishing to carve out space for stories that should exist, stories with heart, stories that last, stories that speak. Our publishing house was born out of the need for a better path, one rooted in quality, creative freedom, and respect for authors.
BUILDING SOMETHING DIFFERENT
THREE FOUNDERS. ONE PHILOSOPHY. ONE BOLD NAME.
We didn’t have a business plan... we had a breaking point.
When enough doors closed, we looked around the room and said, “What if we build our own?”
That room happened to be in Astoria, a quiet family oriented community where three authors sat in the backyard watching the sunset. It was here we decided to stop waiting for someone else to say "YES".
We chose the name Astoria not just for the location, but for what it evokes: a place that feels storied, timeless, and lived in, like a library you want to wander forever.
And Ink? Ink is permanence. Ink is messy, human, and brave. Ink says: this story matters enough to last.
We didn’t want to replicate the traditional publishing machine. We wanted to strip it down and rebuild it with intention:
- An author-centered approach that puts creators at the heart of every decision.
A commitment to quality over quantity, focusing on fewer titles with greater care.
An author-driven vision that prioritizes creativity over trends.
An inclusive and intentional path that welcomes diverse voices and lasting impact.
Astoria & Ink wasn’t formed with corporate polish. It was formed with purpose, the kind you only find when you’ve been burned, overlooked, and still believe in stories.
We're not just publishers.
We're authors who built the place we needed.
WHAT'S NEXT .... WRITING THE FUTURE
A PHILOSOPHY ROOTED IN PURPOSE. A FUTURE WRITTEN WITH INTENTION.
We don’t just print books. We preserve voices.
At Astoria & Ink, every decision, from editorial feedback to cover design is driven by our belief that stories can spark change, offer solace, and outlast their moment. We’re not here to follow trends; we’re here to champion voices.
Our motto, Stories that Speak. Ink that Lasts., isn’t just a phrase. It’s a promise.
Stories that Speak means we publish work with depth, clarity, and heart, stories that say something real. About identity. About love, loss, resilience, belonging, and truth.
Ink that Lasts means we’re building legacies, not just catalogues. Our books are made to endure, physically, emotionally, and culturally.
As we grow, our goal remains the same:
- To be a creative haven for bold voices.
- To publish work that speaks now and endures.
- To honour both the story and the storyteller …. always.
The future of publishing is being rewritten, and we’re doing it one timeless story at a time. Whether you're a debut author, a seasoned writer, or an avid reader in search of something real this is your invitation:
We’ve made space for Stories that Speak. Pull up a chair.
We have the Ink that Lasts. Your voice deserves to be heard... and we’re listening.
