Atmosphere Press: A Reputable Austin Book Publisher
Atmosphere Press is an Austin-founded hybrid book publisher founded in 2015 by Dr. Nick Courtright, a UT Austin PhD, with a single guiding idea: professional publishing should empower authors, not wear them down.
Having published over 1,000 books—including award-winning titles across poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and children’s literature—Atmosphere Press’s author-first philosophy, professional editorial standards, and industry-level production benefit writers no matter where they live.
Though founded in Austin, Texas, our team works remotely. This means we have Austin’s literary ecosystem, media contacts, and small-business credentials on our side while offering the flexibility and global reach of a remote team!
Austin authors we’ve published include:
Megan Hale, Nancy Willbern, Gary A. Keith, Kalpana Sutaria, Tab Stephens, Phillip Scott Mandel, Joe Rolnicki, G. Stan Jones, Adam Schragin, Hilah Roscoe, Kristy Peloquin, and Jim Williams.
An Austin Book Publisher with Global Reach
Founded in Austin, Texas, Atmosphere Press combines professional publishing standards with local creativity, community values, and global reach. While our team is fully remote, we work with authors from around the world, delivering the same high-quality editorial, design, and marketing support to every project.
Founder: Dr. Nick Courtright – UT Austin PhD in Literature, poet, writing coach, four-time author, and former UT English teacher. Recognized by LA Weekly as a “Book Coach to Watch” and a finalist in Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2025.
Headquarters: Registered in Austin, providing a home base and local insight while supporting authors internationally.
Mission: Putting the power in the hands of the writer and providing high-quality publishing with transparency, professionalism, and kindness.
Being Austin-founded allows us to bring the unique culture, literary scene, and community values of Texas to every author we work with — whether they live in Austin, elsewhere in the U.S., or abroad. This local insight adds value when navigating literary festivals, media opportunities, and market trends, no matter where an author is based!
Atmosphere Press’s Austin Authors
We take pride in publishing Austin-based authors, reflecting our deep connection to the local literary community:
Reputable Publisher Credentials
Authors often ask: “Is Atmosphere Press a good publisher?” Here’s how we answer:
➜ Awards & Recognition: Finalist in 2025 Greater Austin Business Awards for Entrepreneurial Vision & Small Business Excellence.
➜ Professional Affiliations: Accredited A+ by the BBB, member of IBPA, AWP, and other professional networks.
➜ Distribution & Reach: Partnerships with Ingram, Amazon, and libraries ensure books are widely available globally.
➜ Experienced Team: Editors, designers, and marketers with MFAs, PhDs, and published works provide deep expertise.
➜ Selective Publishing: We only publish manuscripts we endorse, ensuring quality.
These signals show Atmosphere Press is a trustworthy hybrid publisher committed to ethical, author-first practices for authors locally and worldwide.
Publishing with Atmosphere Press
Hybrid publishing sits between traditional and self-publishing: authors invest in professional services, and in return receive industry-standard editing, design, and distribution — while retaining key rights. With Atmosphere Press, that means:
➜ Hands-on editorial development and copyediting
➜ Professionally commissioned cover and interior design
➜ Distribution via major channels so your book is discoverable in stores and libraries
➜ Strategic marketing support for festivals, local PR, and online visibility
➜ Clear contracts that protect author rights and specify royalties and responsibilities
We reject the vanity-press model. We vet manuscripts, we invest in quality, and we aim to help good books find readers.
Advice for Austin and Texas Writers
Even though our team works remotely, Austin-based writers can still leverage the city’s vibrant literary ecosystem:
✦ Tap Local Resources: Join Writers’ League of Texas, MFA programs, or writing meetups to connect with mentors and peers.
✦ Attend Literary Events: Participate in Texas Book Festival, library readings, or workshops at UT Michener Center.
✦ Leverage Your Local Angle: Highlight any Texas connection to help local media and audiences engage with your work.
✦ Vet Publishers Carefully: Look for transparency, professional affiliations, published titles, and BBB accreditation.
✦ Stay Informed on Craft & Market: Follow local publications and writing contests to remain aware of opportunities and trends.
These tips help writers connect with Austin’s literary scene and maximize their work’s visibility, while also tapping into Atmosphere Press’s global support network.
Atmosphere Press at a Glance
✧ Founded: 2015, Austin, TX
✧ Founder: Dr. Nick Courtright – UT Austin PhD, four-time author
✧ Published Titles: Over 1,000, across poetry, fiction, nonfiction, children’s books
✧ Author-First Philosophy: Selective publishing, rights retention, editorial and design support
✧ Professional Credentials: A+ BBB, IBPA/AWP memberships, experienced MFA/PhD editorial team
✧ Local Recognition: 2025 Greater Austin Business Awards finalist
✧ Community: Austin literacy programs, Playa Flamingo writing residency
✧ Global Reach: Authors from across the U.S. and the world
Your Austin Book Publisher
As Austin grows as a literary hub, Atmosphere Press remains dedicated to supporting writers locally and globally. Whether you’re an Austin author, a Texas-based writer, or telling a story from anywhere in the world, we combine major press professionalism with hometown attention.
Ready to talk about your book?
If you’re a writer who values craft and wants a collaborative publishing partner, we’d love to hear from you! Visit our submissions page or contact our acquisitions team to start a conversation.
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.