Discover innovative publishing at Westshore Press, an independent academic press that blends scholarly excellence with modern online publishing strategies. Founded in 2017 by Shakespeare scholar and author Michael Egan, Westshore Press stands out as a forward-thinking platform for authors who seek to publish and promote high-quality research without the traditional barriers of mainstream academic publishing.
Based in Honolulu, Hawaii, Westshore Press is more than just a publishing house—it’s a collaborative venture where authors retain agency over their work and participate in all stages of production, from manuscript development to final marketing. This business model not only democratizes the publishing process but also enhances the reach and impact of scholarly work in today’s digital-first world.
A New Model for Academic Publishing
The academic publishing industry has long been associated with high costs, long lead times, and restricted access. Westshore Press seeks to change that by embracing a streamlined, technology-driven model. By leveraging the efficiencies of online publishing and direct-to-reader marketing, Westshore minimizes overhead while maximizing distribution potential.
Unlike traditional publishers who depend heavily on mechanical printing and bulk storage, Westshore relies on digital publishing platforms that allow for print-on-demand fulfillment. This approach eliminates waste, reduces inventory costs, and speeds up the time it takes to get a book into readers’ hands.
Even more notably, Westshore empowers authors to be an active part of their book’s journey. Authors are not only involved in editorial decisions but are also encouraged to collaborate on promotional strategies that will reach the most relevant academic and general audiences.
Who is Behind Westshore Press?
Michael Egan, the founder of Westshore Press, is an established author and Shakespeare scholar. His academic background and publishing experience give the company its distinctive scholarly ethos. Egan envisioned a press that not only supports serious research but also adapts to the digital environment scholars now inhabit.
His work in literature, particularly Shakespearean studies, laid the foundation for Westshore’s mission: to provide a credible and agile platform for authors whose research might otherwise be constrained by traditional academic publishing pipelines. Egan’s presence ensures that the press is built on a deep respect for scholarship and intellectual rigor.
What Westshore Press Offers
Westshore Press primarily focuses on publishing high-quality research books and scholarly works. However, what sets it apart is its inclusive approach to the publishing lifecycle.
Key Features:
Manuscript Development: Authors can approach Westshore with a proposal, a rough draft, or a completed manuscript. The press offers flexible entry points depending on the author’s stage in the writing process.
Editorial Collaboration: Every step of the production—from editing to formatting—is conducted in close consultation with the author, ensuring the final product aligns with their vision and academic standards.
Digital-First Printing: By using modern digital technologies, Westshore can produce professional-quality books without the traditional overhead.
Smart Distribution: Through partnerships and targeted digital marketing, Westshore ensures that each title reaches its intended academic or niche audience.
Author-Driven Marketing: Authors are invited to participate in crafting marketing campaigns tailored to their subject matter and readership, leveraging social media, academic networks, and digital advertising.
A Niche for Serious Scholarship
In a publishing landscape increasingly dominated by commercial interests, Westshore offers an alternative for serious scholars. It provides a home for nuanced, research-driven content that may not align with the mainstream criteria of larger publishing houses but is still valuable to academic and specialist audiences.
Whether it’s a monograph on Renaissance drama, a treatise on political theory, or a new perspective on cultural history, Westshore provides a venue where well-researched ideas can find the audience they deserve.
Why Authors Choose Westshore
Westshore Press attracts authors who value editorial integrity, intellectual freedom, and transparency. Many appreciate the ability to:
Retain creative control
Collaborate on marketing and distribution
Avoid lengthy submission queues and rejections common in academic publishing
Publish high-quality print and digital editions affordably
This approach is particularly appealing to independent scholars, early-career researchers, and academics in interdisciplinary fields.
The Business Edge: Innovation Meets Accessibility
Westshore Press is a great example of how innovation and accessibility can work hand-in-hand. By shifting the publishing model to a digital-first, author-centered experience, the press avoids many of the traditional constraints and costs associated with academic book publishing.
They’ve effectively created a hybrid model that maintains academic rigor while embracing the flexibility of self-publishing—without the downsides. Unlike many self-publishing platforms, Westshore provides professional editing, quality assurance, and meaningful marketing, all while treating authors as equal stakeholders.
Their emphasis on digital marketing also ensures that each book is positioned to reach its target audience. Using web-based direct marketing (DM) strategies, Westshore promotes books based on reader behavior, search intent, and subject interest, ensuring better ROI and visibility than a general campaign.
Potential for Growth and Expansion
Although still relatively new, Westshore Press shows strong potential for growth. As the academic landscape continues to evolve—with growing skepticism about paywalls, expensive journals, and slow publishing cycles—more scholars are looking for faster, more transparent ways to publish their work.
Westshore could further expand by:
Building out its website with sample chapters and featured author interviews
Launching a searchable digital library or eBook portal
Partnering with university departments and scholarly organizations
Creating thematic collections or imprints for various disciplines
Hosting virtual author events and webinars
With the right outreach and continued commitment to quality, Westshore is well-positioned to become a respected name in niche academic publishing.
The Ideal Author for Westshore
Not every writer may be a good fit for Westshore—but for the right author, it’s an ideal match. Ideal candidates include:
Independent researchers with original work
Academics with manuscripts not suited for mainstream publishers
Interdisciplinary thinkers exploring non-traditional angles
Experts who want a bigger role in the publishing and promotional process
Writers seeking a professional platform without losing control of their work
Westshore provides a home for voices that challenge, expand, and innovate academic thought.
Final Thoughts
In an industry known for complexity and gatekeeping, Westshore Press offers a refreshing change. It’s a press built on the belief that publishing should be collaborative, accessible, and intellectually rigorous. By reducing production barriers and involving authors in every step—from manuscript to marketing—Westshore ensures that good scholarship doesn’t sit in limbo or go unseen.
If you’re an author with an idea, a draft, or a complete manuscript, Westshore Press invites you to take the next step. They’ll meet you where you are and help guide your work into the hands of those who need it most.
For submission guidelines or to learn more, visit the official Westshore Press website.