Independent press · Est. 2026

Publishing with a spine.

Publishing, reimagined.

Modern publishing has lost the plot. That's why we're here to prioritize storytelling again.

If you're tired of reading books that feel preachy or agenda-first, we have good news: ours aren't! We don't sign books based on anything but the story inside.

The Lion Publishing team standing outside their office in Johnson City, Tennessee
Lion Publishing — Johnson City, Tennessee

The Catalog

Recent & forthcoming

Books 1-3 launch on BackerKit in February 2027.
01

The Heroes of Heinora

July 6, 2027

Seth Cordle

Gaven Grimscar IV did not yet know his own name. But when his group of thieves is celebrated as heroes after a robbery goes awry, what is he to do when Thia, daughter of a chief, seeks their help to save her people? Explore the world of Azirion in this epic fantasy. Book One in The Bone Merchants Saga.

Details →
02

Blood & Lead

August 3, 2027

Henry Hall

When demons raze his prairie town, orphaned teenager Lind Taylor is left with no choice but to join forces with the mysterious gunslinger pursuing them. Their only edge against the forces of darkness menacing the American frontier: two revolvers, blessed by the Creator to kill what no bullet can.

Details →
03

Oops! I Made an Apocalypse

September 7, 2027

Rebekah Edwards & Nathaniel David

When a 35-year-old game master wakes up inside the apocalyptic world she designed for her tabletop campaign, she discovers her greatest weapon is a fully rendered character sheet (even if she has absolutely no idea how to use it). A cozy-apocalyptic litRPG romp.

Details →
04

Zach Gass

A treasure hoard, an evil monster, and the adventure that turned two young heroes into legends — and each other's happily ever after. A high-fantasy quest wrapped in a cozy fantasy romance.

Details →
See all books →

Join the movement

Become an early supporter of our return to better storytelling.

Campaign opens February 2, 2027

Join the list

The campaign page goes live closer to launch — join the list and we'll tell you the moment it does.

Backers have access to tiers from a single eBook to an entire 3-book Founder's Vault of limited special editions of our three launch titles: The Heroes of Heinora, Oops! I Made an Apocalypse, and Blood & Lead. Fulfillment happens in May-June 2027, prior to the wide releases of regular editions.

And you're not just backing a few good books. By supporting this campaign, you're buying into the idea that normal people deserve better books. That ideologues who have co-opted publishing for their own agendas aren't the only people who can participate in mainstream publishing.

That noblebright stories are worth telling.

Podcast

Narrative Decay

Co-founders Rebekah and Seth discuss the woes — and wins — of the publishing industry, fiction, modern entertainment, and the dawn of new media.

Latest Narrative Decay podcast episode — Is "Based" Publishing Harmful?

Latest episode Is "Based" Publishing Harmful?

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Want news on our BackerKit campaign, upcoming books, Narrative Decay episodes, and what's hot in the world of storytelling-first entertainment? You're in the right place!

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