Fractal Press

Bottom-up

This is a new approach to the world of book publishing. Blogs are a massive, unfettered, bottom-up writing process. We are focussed on publishing the highest quality content that emerges from this process. 

The traditional publishing model is akin to the old encyclopedia model - a top-down approach where editors solicited expertise from specific individuals. On the opposite end of the spectrum sits Wikipedia. If we consider Wikipedia in its entirety, including all the bad edits, it is clear that the latest version displayed on the front page is simply the highest quality version of all the possible permutations. We play a similar role between the world of blogs and books. We publish the highest quality content available within all the possible permutations in any given blogging topic. 

Fallible Approach

In light of this bottom-up tinkering, we take a very fallible approach to publishing. We like to minimize editing and heavy-handed changes. We don’t pretend that we understand what readers are looking for. We respect the role of uncertainty in publishing success and try to expose our authors and ourselves to as much positive uncertainty as possible. 

This is why we use our “Anthologize” button that allows blog readers to nominate blogs to us. It is an organic and verifiable way for the best blogs to bubble-up to us. 

Risk

We are obsessed with managing our downside risks while being exposed to potentially massive upside payoffs. Since we are carrying much less risk than a traditional publishing firm, we have very fair, non-adverserial contracts and approach our relationships with authors from a very friendly perspective. All of us at Fractal Press are bloggers. 

We are looking forward to publishing deep, relevant, and helpful books. We hope you’ll join us.