An imprint of Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Your book deserves a real publisher. Montgomery Station Press gives serious authors the full BK experience.
A NEW PATH TO PUBLICATION WITH BK'S CAPABILITIES SUPPORTING YOU
Berrett-Koehler Publishers reviews more than 2,000 book proposals each year but is highly selective and publishes only 20 to 30 new titles per year. Many of the projects we cannot take on through traditional acquisition are still excellent, mission-aligned books from authors who deserve a publisher who treats their work seriously. Montgomery Station Press is a highly curated imprint we created for those authors.
Through Montgomery Station Press, you invest in the publication of your book and can receive the full BK publishing experience, including editorial guidance from senior BK editors, cover design from BK's Creative Director, a dedicated project manager, worldwide distribution through Penguin Random House Publisher Services, and the marketing infrastructure that supports BK's trade list.
Your book is professionally edited and designed, it is distributed through the same channels as BK's trade titles, and it carries the credibility of a publisher that has received many awards and published numerous bestsellers while working with authors since 1992.
What's the difference between Self-Publishing and Montgomery Station Press?
Self-Publishing
- You retain full creative control and 100% of royalties
- Lower barrier to entry—anyone can publish
- You handle everything: editing, design, distribution, marketing
- Faster timeline with no gatekeepers
- Results depend entirely on your own resources and expertise
- Limited access to major retail channels and media opportunities
- No built-in credibility signal for speaking gigs, press, or corporate sales
Montgomery Station Press
- Professional editorial, design, and production support — without giving up your rights
- Books distributed through established channels (like Penguin Random House) that self-published titles often can't access
- Author retains creative control and significantly higher royalties than traditional publishing
- Publisher brings marketing infrastructure, metadata expertise, and retail relationships
- Your book is positioned and packaged to compete with titles from major houses
- Credibility that opens doors — media, speaking, bulk/institutional sales
- You're not doing it alone, but you're still calling the shots
WHAT YOU GET WITH MONTGOMERY STATION PRESS
- Editorial coaching from a senior BK editor to develop your book's structure, refine its message, and position it clearly for the audience you're trying to serve.
- Cover design by BK's Creative Director, with three original concepts and up to three rounds of revisions
- A dedicated project manager who carries your book from manuscript through copyediting, proofreading, indexing, and printing
- Professional ebook conversion and global ebook distribution
- National and international print distribution through Penguin Random House Publisher Services, with your title in BK's Edelweiss catalog used by booksellers and librarians worldwide
- Subsidiary rights representation through our international network of publishers and agents and at major industry events such as the Frankfurter Buchmesse and the London Book Fair
- Amazon metadata optimization and a professional Amazon book detail page
- Press release writing and distribution through PR Newswire
- Two royalty structures so you can choose how to balance upfront investment and long-term return
See what authors are saying about BK
Leadership and the New Science was one of BK‘s very first books, and my experience is both unique and ordinary. If BK publishes your book, they recognize it as a valuable contribution “to creating a world that works for all.” The world inside BK does work for all! They bring extraordinary skill and care to ensuring the success of the author’s vision as part of their larger vision. if you have written a book not to become famous or rich, but because you know that this will be a supportive contribution, If you are devoted to your work and the need to offer it to the world, BK will be devoted to you. And you will join a community of kindred authors intentionally formed by BK, writers who support and find joy in being together.
— Margaret J Wheatley, bestselling author and cofounder of The Berkana Institute
Working with Berrett-Koehler has been an exceptional experience from start to finish. The team has been collaborative, communicative, and genuinely committed to bringing The Win-Win Workplace to readers around the world. Their editorial guidance strengthened the manuscript while always respecting my voice, and every interaction reflected a true sense of partnership. It felt like we were working toward the same goal, which made the entire publishing journey both seamless and rewarding.
— Angela Jackson, NY Times, Los Angeles Times, and USA Today bestselling author of The Win-Win Workplace
I’ve worked with Berrett-Koehler for more than fifteen years and on roughly that many books, and the experience has been consistently outstanding. Their approach is truly collaborative: they’re deeply involved in shaping, refining, and positioning each book while respecting the author’s voice and vision. The ongoing communication, thoughtful feedback, and genuine partnership they bring to the process make a remarkable difference. Not only do they help produce a better book, but they also build the kind of long-term relationship that’s increasingly rare in publishing. In my experience, Berrett-Koehler stands apart.
—Thom Hartmann, NY Times bestselling author and host of the nationally syndicated radio show, The Thom Hartmann Program
I wrote my first few books with large East Coast publishers, two with famous editors. I worked through two different literary agents. Then, my agent introduced me to Berrett-Koehler and I learned what it means to work with an author-centered publisher. I’ll never go back to and no longer need an agent. With Berrett-Koehler, I get deep content editing and support beyond anything I had imagined. For my book concepts and early drafts, BK provides just the right mix of profound critique and encouragement. These are tough days for authors, but I am consistently energized to be part of their Community.
—Bob Johansen, Bestselling Author and Distinguished Fellow, Institute for the Future
How it Works
There are three pathways you can choose from for your Montgomery Station Press book. The table below shows exactly what each package includes.
Want something a little more tailored to your needs? We offer an à la carte menu for you to build your own package.
We work with a limited number of authors each year to ensure every project gets the attention it deserves. We would love your book to be one of them.
New Imprint, Old Roots
The name Montgomery Station Press is both a tribute and a promise.
Montgomery Station Press takes its name from 155 Montgomery Street in San Francisco, the site of Berrett-Koehler’s first office in the Alexander Building near the metro station, and the place where BK’s publishing story began.
It honors the address where BK started, and the idea of a station gives the new imprint its own meaning: a place where authors arrive with a manuscript, a message, and a sense of where they want to go, then find the guidance they need to move forward.
FAQs
Fill out the form on this page to submit your proposal. Not sure if your book is ready? You can also book time with one of our editors to talk through where you are in the process.
Every project is different, so we offer packages based on your book's scope and goals. Submit your proposal and we'll work with you to build a package that fits your needs.
Montgomery Station Press publishes general nonfiction. Our work is rooted in the Berrett-Koehler mission: connecting people and ideas to create a world that works for all. If your book fits that spirit, we'd love to hear from you.
You'll receive an initial response within 48 hours.
In traditional publishing, the publisher covers production costs but authors have limited control over creative decisions and timelines. With hybrid publishing, authors invest in the process and gain more creative control, faster timelines, and higher royalty rates, while still having access to professional editing, design, and distribution. Montgomery Station Press brings
Berrett-Koehler's publishing experience and distribution network to that partnership.
Montgomery Station Press books are distributed through Penguin Random House Publisher Services, which means your book will be available wherever books are sold—online retailers, independent bookstores, chains, and libraries.
While we can't guarantee every bookstore will carry it on their shelves, the distribution infrastructure ensures it can be ordered anywhere...not just Amazon.