Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Vensel White.
Hi Mary , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
As an author of four novels and an upcoming story collection, I have navigated the publishing world for many years. As an editor, I have worked with many talented authors in getting their book project ready for publication. As an active member of my local writing community, I was drawn towards making a difference.
In 2023, I founded Type Eighteen Books as a home for fiction that demonstrates a love of language and a mastery of its tools, stories with empathy and a striving for understanding, and attention to what my favorite author, Kent Haruf, called the “precious ordinary.” The most powerful stories are the ones that make readers feel seen, that cause them to say, “I have also felt that way.” Often, these types of books are labeled literary fiction but sometimes they are labeled something else. We’d also like to be a home for “something else” books—stories that have been neglected by traditional publishers because of experimentations with form, intent, or… something else.
The highest aims of Type Eighteen Books are to partner with writers under complete transparency, to support our books and their authors with enthusiasm and concerted effort, and to contribute to our shared storytelling experience by listening to unforgettable voices and providing the means for them to tell their great stories.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Every aspect of a new venture has some learning curves, and publishing is no different. There are many considerations when publishing a book, from procuring projects, to editing and collaboration with authors, to production which involves outside artists and other designers, to the distribution and marketing. Starting a business is not a nine-to-five job, and creative pursuits are notoriously underpaid! Maintaining vision and motivation usually helps me get through day-to-day challenges.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a writer, I’m drawn to stories about people. I like to dig into what makes us human and explore the connections and motivations that keep us going. I think every story – at its heart – is about love, fear, or the relationship between them. I’m the author of three literary fiction novels and a young adult novel. I’m proud of each one – for the work I completed, and for the time in my life each story represents. My new book is a short story collection that was written during a particularly difficult and painful period of my life, and I’m especially proud of not only persevering, but also that I was able to create something meaningful out of it.
As for Type Eighteen Books, what sets the publishing company apart, I believe, is the transparency we keep with authors, and the personal touch and expertise I bring to each book. When it comes to the bare bones, the writing itself, in both my own artistic pursuits and with the books we publish, I strive for excellence. It’s my goal to help contribute great stories to the world.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My friends and family are my biggest cheerleaders! They encourage, support, and listen. A publishing company would be nothing without authors, and we have the best of the best. Talented and hardworking, they are willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work supporting not only their own books, but each other’s and the press. We have a talented group of editing assistants and copyeditors – Katie Schwab, Patty Uy, Annabelle Aguirre, Sutherland Lovell, Danh Tran, and others, Their sharp eyes have helped us to deliver great stories by unforgettable voices. Our Marketing Director, Elisabeth Cunningham, has been a lifesaver. She does much more than marketing, and she does everything well! Small business often rely on freelancers for a variety of tasks, and we’ve been fortunate to find talented help – too many to name. The writing community is so supportive, and I’m often in a position of asking advice about one thing or another. So to anyone who’s ever fielded a question from me pertaining to publishing, writing, or something else, thank you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.typeeighteenbooks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/typeeighteenbooks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/typeeighteenbooks/
- Twitter: https://x.com/TypeEighteenBks
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@typeeighteenbooks
