Big thanks to the Nonfiction Authors Association! The community of nonfiction writers and industry featured Ella in a publisher spotlight. Here’s what she had to say.
What is your business about?
We develop and publish nonfiction books for self-published authors, families, business leaders, and nonprofit organizations. That includes Bible studies, corporate histories, medical programs, memoirs, autobiographies, family histories, collections of essays, coffee table books, self-help books, and poetry compilations.
What inspired you to begin?
In 2015, a book publisher asked me to step in as an interim director to help with business processes. What I discovered was unsettling. Several authors were contracted with a publisher who was not the right fit longterm. Working to release the authors from their contracts and re-establish their books took some time. But I learned two things. First, it is critical that authors define their goals and choose the right publisher for them from the start. Second, book publishing is an incredible joy! When the authors asked me to manage their books, my team and I created a process rooted in integrity, transparency, and education. To date, we’ve published 20 nonfiction books. Talk about living the dream!
Tell us about your business:
Stellar Communications Houston was established in 2012 to provide joy and clarity to the world through business communication. In 2015, we expanded into nonfiction book publishing — and we love every minute of it!
What is a typical day like for you?
A typical day is 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Coffee, reading the latest from NAA, emails, project status updates, more coffee, editing through lunch, book proposal, quick call with oil & gas client. Did I mention coffee?
What do you most enjoy about what you do?
Too many things to count. A client’s sense of joy and fulfillment when a milestone is reached. The variety of book projects. Developmental editing and crafting a vision for a story. Working with an awesome team. Finding ways to surprise clients.
What are some favorite books you’d recommend to our readers?
The Bible. It’s a continual reminder to me that regardless of how I or my business is performing, my true identity and worth is ultimately found in God.
What advice do you have to offer our readers?
Take your time in selecting the right publisher. Trust is everything!
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
People are surprised to learn that I was an English and Reading educator for nearly a decade before I traded my chalk for a pen!
What’s next for you?
We’ve been approached a lot lately by various companies, so I anticipate more corporate histories.
Ella Ritchie is the founder of Stellar Communications Houston, a nonfiction book publishing team that works with self-published nonfiction authors, business leaders, organizations, and federal government agencies. Follow her on LinkedIn or Facebook.