The Way Things Are Publications is a Los Angeles-based independent publisher of fiction and non-fiction that share philosophical sensibilities and strive to elevate social consciousness. The company chooses publications to distribute and market based upon the social relevance of the material and the author’s intention to address the philosophical nuances of society and civilization. The scope of publication is not limited to any particular category or genre, but rather, to the overall message of the publication.
Established in mid-2008 by wife and husband owners Jennifer and Mark Havenner, The Way Things Are is the culmination of their passion for literature, publishing, philosophy, and creativity. Jennifer’s years in the theatrical entertainment industry and in education afterward cultivated a unique and insightful expertise on literature and authors. Mark’s time in the magazine industry and marketing world enriched a life-long passion for publishing and distribution.
Momentum for launching The Way Things Are resulted in increasing dissatisfaction with the current state of the publishing industry and the inability for unknown authors to make a meaningful impact to prospective audiences. With increasing attention spent on top-selling authors and the lack of distribution for new and upcoming authors in retail locations there is a huge void for independent authors with important and pertinent messages. The Way Things Are was created for independent authors that need a voice.
To create a new positive precedent in the publishing industry, The Way Things Are operates with very specific and industry-unique processes. Firstly, the publisher only accepts material that can be completely marketed by the publisher. The industry tends to put the weight of marketing in the hands of the often-inexperienced author, reserving funds for well-known authors. The Way Things Are will always market a book and if it can’t, the book won’t be accepted.
Secondly, The Way Things Are publishes only material that supports its mission to “elevate awareness of social issues”. The publisher believes creating a marketing expectation for their brand is just as important as choosing a book that is marketable. The Way Things Are hopes to achieve a following for high-quality and socially relevant books and will demonstrate that in carefully chosen titles.
The other significant difference in The Way Things Are operations is to sell books non-returnable. The wasteful and archaic practice of publishers accepting unsold books for full credit from retailers not only hurts the independent publisher, but it ultimately inflates the cover price of books so publishers can handle the cost of waste. The responsible thing to do for consumers and the environment is to only send books that will be sold.
The Way Things Are Publications believes that the reader is the most important part of the industry equation. Finding relevant and high-quality titles to distribute in as many venues as possible serves the person who buys the books. And if they are well served than our industry will thrive.