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.
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 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.
Why do we use Crowdfunding?
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.
Pre-ordering 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 send you a reminder to check 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 pre-order 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.
The British Book Awards 2023 Small Press of the Year Regional Finalist - Unbound (London)
Tir na n-Og Awards: The Mab, winner of the Reader's Choice Award
Ola Gotkowska Young Indepenent Publisher of the Year - Aliya Gulamani, Unbound (IPG Awards)
Scots Book of the Year - Be guid tae yer mammy (Emma Grae)
Women's Prize for Fiction Longlist - Salt Lick (Lulu Allison)
Crime Writers Association (New Blood Dagger) Shortlist - The Mash House (Alan Gillespie)
William Hill Sports Book Awards Longlist - Game On (Sue Anstiss)
Wainright Golden Beer Prize, UK Nature & Travel Writing Longlist - Bird Therapy (Joe Harkness)
Edward Standford Debut Travel Writer of the Year Shortlist - Mind is the Ride (Jet McDonald)
Shirley Jackson Awards, Best Novelette - Help the Witch (Tom Cox)
Rathbones Folio Prize Shortlist - Mary Ann Sate, Imbecile (Alice Jolly)
Hearst Big Book Awards Finalist - Pure (Rose Cartwright)
Hearst Big Book Awards Finalist - How to Come Alive Again (Beth McColl)
Broken Frontier Awards Shortlist - Grafity's Wall (Ram V and Anand Radhakrishnan)
Sports Books Awards Biography of the Year Shortlist - Different Class (Dermot Kavanagh)
Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards, Debut Drink Book Winner - Empire of Booze (Henry Jeffreys)
PEN Ackerley Prize Winner - Dead Babies and Seaside Towns (Alice Jolly)
The Bookseller Industry Awards Book of the Year Winner - The Wake (Paul Kingsnorth)
Folio Prize Longlist - The Wake (Paul Kingsnorth)
Futurebook Award Winner, Best Publishing Website - Unbound
#1 Sunday Times Bestseller, Non-Fiction Hardback - 42: The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams (Kevin Jon Davies)
Literature Wales: Wales Book of the Year - The Mab, shortlisted in the Children & Young People category
Saltire Society Literary Awards shortlist - Be guid tae yer mammy (Emma Grae)
Futurebook Awards Shortlist - Unbound Firsts
The Business Books Award Shortlist - Build Your Sales Tribe (Steve Schrier)
Crime Writers Association (Historical Dagger) Shortlist - Crow Court (Andy Charman)
Sunday Times Sports Book Awards (Sports Writing) shortlist - Game On (Sue Anstiss)
Desmond Elliot Prize Longlist - Crow Court (Andy Charman)
Futurebook Award Winner, Digital Innovation - Unbound
People's Book Prize Finalist - The Cartography of Others (Catherine McNamara)
Guild of Food Writers Awards, General Cookbook Award - A Long & Messy Business (Rowley Leigh)
RSL Ondaatje Prize Shortlist - Mary Ann Sate, Imbecile (Alice Jolly)
Hearst Big Book Awards Finalist - The Last Landlady (Laura Thompson)
Hearst Big Book Awards Finalist - The Madonna of Bolton (Matt Cain)
Wainwright Golden Beer Book Prize Shortlist - 21st Century Yokel (Tom Cox)
People's Book Prize Finalist - Narcissism for Beginners (Martine McDonagh)
Books Are My Bag Readers' Choice Award Winner - The Good Immigrant (Nikesh Shukla)
Gordon Burn Prize Winner - The Wake (Paul Kingsnorth)
Man Booker Prize for Fiction Longlist - The Wake (Paul Kingsnorth)
The Goldsmiths Prize Shortlist - The Wake (Paul Kingsnorth)