Raconteur Press: Building More Than a Catalog of Books
Publishers and presses are often the bane of authors and readers alike. While some work toward that reputation every day, most earn it at least occasionally. Raconteur Press is doing things differently. They're building more than a catalog of entertaining books. They create opportunities for writers, help them develop their craft, and publish stories most in the industry wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole—or, if they did, they'd sneer and hold their noses. That's a cultural contribution worth supporting.
Rac Press (as they're often called) was founded by Ian “LawDog” McMurtrie and Rita Beeman. It grew out of what became the anthology Ghosts of Malta, published in 2022. It now publishes genre anthologies, novels, and adventure books for boys. Its editorial direction is straightforward: action, courage, ingenuity, sacrifice, and protagonists whose choices matter. Those values belong in good storytelling; indeed, can a story be good if it doesn't involve such?
Not only do they push for good stories, but their publishing practices aren't what you'd call typical. Raconteur's published anthology model gives equal royalty shares to contributors—including authors, editors, artists, and the press itself—from the proceeds remaining after retailer and payment-administration deductions. The press does not first recover its production expenses from that pool. Shares continue while the books sell, even after the initial exclusivity period ends. And while an anthology is unlikely to make a writer wealthy, the continuing share of sales gives everyone involved a stake in the book's success.
I watched the human side of that model develop. When my fellows and I founded the Alpha Mercs writers' fellowship, it was within months of that first Malta anthology. While our organizations are independent, our communities overlap considerably. Early anthologies included as many as seven Mercs; several members now contribute to the press's operations. Writers have moved from short-fiction publication into novels, with Raconteur and elsewhere. The press also refers developing writers to our fellowship, as they know helping people become better writers serves more than the next open call.
That work has earned recognition beyond our overlapping circles. In 2026, Alpha Merc J. Kenton Pierce won the Prometheus Award for Best Novel for A Kiss for Damocles, published by Raconteur. Dave Freer's Storm-Dragon received the first Special Prometheus Award for Young Adult Fiction. In his acceptance speech, Pierce publicly praised Rac Press for its contracts, transparent accounting, and willingness to let him tell his stories without ideological interference.
Raconteur Press earns its respect every day. It connects convictions about literature with a functioning publishing program and opportunities for other creators. Readers get stories they struggle to get elsewhere, and writers get a place to sell them and a reason to keep improving. The independent literary culture Raconteur is helping build is impressive.
Buy a book from Raconteur's anthology catalog, explore its novels or Boys' Adventure line, and recommend the titles you enjoy. Subscribe to its updates or, if you write, follow its open calls. The next writer's opportunity depends in part on readers showing up for this writer's book.
Explore and support: Raconteur Press catalog and submissions • Publisher updates
Disclosure: I am a founder of Alpha Mercs, several of whose members publish with or contribute to Raconteur Press. I know members of its leadership and team personally. The organizations are independent. I have submitted stories to Raconteur; none were ever accepted. Rightbacker receives no payment or affiliate commission for this recommendation.