Four San Antonio-area writers are trying a new model that might shake up the publishing industry. Inbound Books, a new co-op publishing house, will release its first book, BJ Bell’s Karma Ledger, on October 23.

Bell and fellow authors Jayne Bodmann, Christopher Bodmann, and Joseph Guyer say Inbound is a middle path for writers who otherwise have to choose between two paths to publication: landing a deal with a traditional publisher or doing everything themselves.

"We believe authors deserve more than a contract or a checklist," said Jayne Bodmann in a release. "They deserve a community that believes in their work, equips them for the marketplace, and has a genuine stake in helping their book take flight."

Between them, the four founders have experience with almost every facet of the publishing industry, including writing, editing, book design, publishing operations, and author marketing. Inbound handles editorial development, cover design, interior layout, production, and distribution.

The publishing house also helps authors find readers. Every title gets a baseline marketing plan and an author toolkit that covers social media, events, media interviews, podcast appearances, and long-term promotion.

According to the release, co-op members contribute their skills to help promote each other's books. The collaborative effort helps each author keep a larger share of book revenue. Additionally, Inbound’s quarterly profits are divvied up according to each member’s contributions.

Inbound Books is now accepting fiction, nonfiction, or illustrated submissions from authors whose work fits its editorial vision. First to press will be the aforementioned Karma Ledger, a cyberpunk thriller.

"Karma Ledger is exactly the kind of novel Inbound Books was built to publish: smart, propulsive and unwilling to let its characters — or its readers — off the hook," Bodmann said.

Bell will celebrate the first release with a reading, author talk, and Q&A at Eternal Morning Coffee (714 Fredericksburg Rd.) from 1 to 4 pm on October 24. Then, he’ll head over to Bluebonnet Books and Homegrown Goods (700 Fredericksburg Rd.) for a signing. Paperback ($17.99) and the ebook ($5.99) copies are currently available for preorder.