Introducing Novel Concepts Publishing: A Creative Home for Women Writers in Eastern North Carolina

At Novel Concepts Publishing, we believe stories can change a life—starting with the writer’s. We’re building an indie publishing outlet that helps neurodivergent, disabled, and disadvantaged women authors in eastern North Carolina bring their work into the world with dignity, support, and practical resources.

Founded by editor and author Catherine McDowell, our indie press pairs compassionate guidance with professional standards. Traditional pathways often overlook voices that don’t fit neat boxes. Our work is to open the door wider—so more women can step through it with confidence.

What We Do

We offer hands-on editorial support that meets writers where they are, from story development and sensitivity-informed editing to line work and formatting for print and digital. Our author services are designed for sustainability, providing coaching, publication planning, and end-to-end production that helps books ship without burnout. With deep expertise in romance and fantasy—especially romantasy and speculative fiction—we champion stories that blend heart, wonder, and rich worldbuilding.

We center neurodivergent, disabled, and disadvantaged women across eastern North Carolina who need an accessible, affirming path to publication. That commitment shapes how we work: a clear, step-by-step indie publishing process that breaks big goals into manageable milestones; a neurodiversity-affirming approach with flexible timelines, respectful communication, and systems that work with our authors; and skill-building that equips writers for the long haul—drafting, revising, formatting, launching, and growing readership with purpose.

Community matters here. We facilitate collaboration and peer critique in a supportive environment focused on craft and career growth. When challenges arise, we problem-solve with care, always protecting creative energy and honoring each author’s voice.

Why this mission? Because stories from the margins are often sidelined—yet they’re the ones that expand empathy and spark hope. By lowering barriers to entry, providing thoughtful guidance, and celebrating unique perspectives, we help transform ideas into finished books that reach real readers.

Sharing Our Experience

Our track record reflects lived practice. Our founder has self-published nearly 300 titles across KDP—from romantasy series to journals and activity books—bringing practical know-how to every project. That experience informs a repeatable, compassionate pathway that enables women to publish, earn, and grow. And our story-facilitator is a longtime writer with a Master’s degree in Writing for Children and Young Adults, many published novels and serials of her own under various pseudonyms, and long-term experience as a ghostwriter.

Readers, we invite you to subscribe and follow new releases as we continue uplifting emerging voices from our region. We offer our authors’ books on Books.by and Amazon.com. And we have lots of merch related to our authors’ series and other reader merch on our Fourthwall.com shop.

Eastern North Carolina holds so many untold stories. We’re here to help bring them to light—one resilient, imaginative, beautifully crafted book at a time.