In the digital world, there are new experiences, communities and identities to be discovered and explored. We think that authors should be able to connect with their readers to create more valuable experiences and communities - and by creating that direct connection, we allow readers to champion the voices that deserve to be heard, and be rewarded for supporting them.

Discover

We bring to life a bold and diverse catalogue of books that other publishers might overlook, like books on niche and cult topics, daring takes on important issues, and fresh ideas from new and underrepresented authors. 

Get Involved

Play your part and support projects through crowdfunding. Readers can enjoy all kinds of rewards from a simple book pre-order to exclusive author events and experiences, and even getting to see their name printed in the back of the book as an official supporter.

Community

Our crowdfunding model allows us to bring you, the reader, in to the project from day one, bringing you into the publishing process to become an advocate and part of a community.  Our pledging model means that we don't just offer books, we offer unique, bespoke experiences as well.

Make It Real

Unbound has an incredible track record of publishing successful books from both experienced and first-time authors, including prize winners and bestsellers.  Head over to our submissions page and begin your journey into the Unbound community.

Be a part of our community! 334,112 people from 207 countries have pledged £11,980,334 to fund 646 projects - and counting!

Unbound is a crowdfunding publisher that works for everybody. We believe great ideas shouldn’t fall between the cracks because they don’t fit the mould! More questions about how it works? Head over to our Help Centre to find out more about our progress.

Courage

to publish books that traditional publishers won't

Creativity

in our commissioning and in our business practices

Community

with our authors and our readers

Innovation

with the belief that technology can save publishing, not condemn it

Diversity

of voice, of talent, of belief makes us a stronger business and a stronger world

Why do we use Crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding allows us to prove that there is a readership before we start the long – and costly – process of making a book. This means we can take risks on books that wouldn’t be considered by other publishers.  Once the funding target is reached, we start working with the author to prepare the book for publication.  While we do this, the book – and the unique rewards and experiences attached to it – are still available to pre-order. 

As a thank you for supporting the book before publication, we print your name (or a name of your choice) in a list at the back, marking you out publicly as a pioneer and patron! 

Getting more people to support the book during these early stages helps when it comes to reviews and publicity later on and makes sure more bookshops are willing to stock it, ensuring a longer shelf life. 

Crowdfunding books is not a new idea – many authors – such as Dr Johnson and Jane Austen - used ‘subscription in advance’ during the 18th and 19th centuries. Unbound has simply updated it for the digital age!

When will I get my book?

Each project is different.  Some authors don’t start writing their book until it hits its target, whereas others will have their
text ready to submit as soon as the magic number is reached.  We aim to publish our books within 18 months of the manuscript being delivered.  This allows time for our editorial and production processes to make sure we publish the best possible version of the book and that it is being released in the right season so we sell as many copies as possible.

We usually send supporters their copies before we publish the book in the trade as recognition of their early support.  However, for some books we dispatch UK supporter copies in the week of publication so that they get counted in the bestseller total. Hitting the bestseller lists ensures wider support from bookshops and a longer shelf life for the idea you helped make happen.  We achieved a #1 Sunday Times Bestseller with 42: The Wildy Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams by doing this!   

Because we want to make sure our customers receive their books and rewards as quickly and efficiently as possible we will always ask you to confirm your postal address before we dispatch. 

We believe great ideas don't always fit the mould of the increasingly narrow and homogenous publishing industry. That's why we've built a crowdfunding and publishing model that shifts the balance of power, allowing readers to back authors to take creative risks and produce books that other publishers couldn't.

2023

The British Book Awards 2023 Small Press of the Year Regional Finalist - Unbound (London)

2023

Tir na n-Og Awards: The Mab, winner of the Reader's Choice Award

2022

Ola Gotkowska Young Indepenent Publisher of the Year - Aliya Gulamani, Unbound (IPG Awards)

2022

Scots Book of the Year - Be guid tae yer mammy (Emma Grae)

2022

Women's Prize for Fiction Longlist - Salt Lick (Lulu Allison)

2020

Crime Writers Association (New Blood Dagger) Shortlist - The Mash House (Alan Gillespie)

2021

William Hill Sports Book Awards Longlist - Game On (Sue Anstiss)

2020

Wainright Golden Beer Prize, UK Nature & Travel Writing Longlist - Bird Therapy (Joe Harkness)

2019

People's Book Prize Finalist - The Cartography of Others (Catherine McNamara)

2019

Guild of Food Writers Awards, General Cookbook Award - A Long & Messy Business (Rowley Leigh)

2019

RSL Ondaatje Prize Shortlist - Mary Ann Sate, Imbecile (Alice Jolly)

2019

Hearst Big Book Awards Finalist - The Last Landlady (Laura Thompson)

2019

Hearst Big Book Awards Finalist - The Madonna of Bolton (Matt Cain)

2018

Wainwright Golden Beer Book Prize Shortlist - 21st Century Yokel (Tom Cox)

2018

People's Book Prize Finalist - Narcissism for Beginners (Martine McDonagh)

2016

Books Are My Bag Readers' Choice Award Winner - The Good Immigrant (Nikesh Shukla)

2014

Gordon Burn Prize Winner - The Wake (Paul Kingsnorth)

2014

Man Booker Prize for Fiction Longlist - The Wake (Paul Kingsnorth)

2014

The Goldsmiths Prize Shortlist - The Wake (Paul Kingsnorth)

2020

Futurebook Award Winner, Digital Innovation - Unbound

2023

#1 Sunday Times Bestseller, Non-Fiction Hardback - 42: The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams (Kevin Jon Davies)

2023

Literature Wales: Wales Book of the Year - The Mab, shortlisted in the Children & Young People category

2022

Saltire Society Literary Awards shortlist - Be guid tae yer mammy (Emma Grae)

2022

Futurebook Awards Shortlist - Unbound Firsts

2022

The Business Books Award Shortlist - Build Your Sales Tribe (Steve Schrier)

2022

Crime Writers Association (Historical Dagger) Shortlist - Crow Court (Andy Charman)

2022

Sunday Times Sports Book Awards (Sports Writing) shortlist - Game On (Sue Anstiss)

2021

Desmond Elliot Prize Longlist - Crow Court (Andy Charman)

2020

Edward Standford Debut Travel Writer of the Year Shortlist - Mind is the Ride (Jet McDonald)

2019

Shirley Jackson Awards, Best Novelette - Help the Witch (Tom Cox)

2019

Rathbones Folio Prize Shortlist - Mary Ann Sate, Imbecile (Alice Jolly)

2019

Hearst Big Book Awards Finalist - Pure (Rose Cartwright)

2019

Hearst Big Book Awards Finalist - How to Come Alive Again (Beth McColl)

2018

Broken Frontier Awards Shortlist - Grafity's Wall (Ram V and Anand Radhakrishnan)

2018

Sports Books Awards Biography of the Year Shortlist - Different Class (Dermot Kavanagh)

2017

Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards, Debut Drink Book Winner - Empire of Booze (Henry Jeffreys)

2016

PEN Ackerley Prize Winner - Dead Babies and Seaside Towns (Alice Jolly)

2014

The Bookseller Industry Awards Book of the Year Winner - The Wake (Paul Kingsnorth)

2014

Folio Prize Longlist - The Wake (Paul Kingsnorth)

2014

Futurebook Award Winner, Best Publishing Website - Unbound

Your Bag