In 2020, veteran publisher Molly Stern launched Zando, an independent publishing house with a fresh mission. Instead of relying solely on traditional methods to find and market books, Zando partners with influential people and organizations to discover and champion new voices.

The idea is to connect compelling books with passionate audiences. These partners aren't just famous faces; they are curators who use their platforms and credibility to bring attention to authors they believe in.

Zando focuses on specific types of books to build a strong, curated catalog. They primarily publish literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, and titles for young adults.

This approach allows them to home in on stories that spark discussion and offer unique perspectives. The goal is to publish a select list of high-quality, conversation-starting books each year, rather than flooding the market.

Zando's most unique feature is its business model. The company collaborates with celebrities, media outlets, and creators to form specialized imprints. An imprint is essentially a brand within a larger publishing house that has its own distinct focus or identity.

Each Zando partner brings their unique taste and audience to their imprint. They acquire, shape, and champion books, acting as a bridge between the author and a built-in readership. This model reimagines how books are discovered, published, and promoted.

For authors, this means their work gets an incredible signal boost from a trusted source. For partners, it's a chance to extend their brand into the literary world and share their passion for reading. It creates a powerful ecosystem where great stories can find the audience they deserve.

Zando's innovative approach combines the energy of creators with the expertise of traditional publishing.