A Bittersweet Farewell to Book Publishing at BMK Publishing

On October 1st, we woke up to some very sad news. As the founder and editor-in-chief of BMK Publishing, it is with a heavy heart that I share some difficult news about the future of our operations. After ten years of dedication to bringing thoughtful, independent voices to the literary world through our book division, we have made the painful decision to cease all book publishing activities. This closure stems directly from Amazon's unexpected termination of our publishing account, a move that has severed our primary distribution channel and rendered continued operations in this space untenable.

For those unfamiliar with the intricacies of modern publishing, Amazon's KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) and related platforms have become indispensable gateways for independent publishers like ours. They handle everything from ebook formatting and print-on-demand services to global reach, allowing small operations to compete on a level playing field. Our account termination—without prior warning or detailed explanation beyond vague policy violations—has effectively locked us out of this ecosystem overnight.

We've exhausted appeals and explored alternatives, but the ripple effects on inventory, royalties, and author contracts have proven insurmountable. In an industry already fraught with challenges like rising production costs and algorithmic discoverability, this blow has forced our hand. This isn't just a logistical setback; it's a profound loss for our team and the authors we've championed. Over the past decade, BMK Publishing has released over 45 titles, ranging from niche non-fiction explorations to emerging fiction that might never have seen the light of day through traditional gates. We've celebrated milestones together—book launches, glowing reviews, and the quiet satisfaction of a reader discovering a hidden gem. Ending this chapter feels like closing a beloved library, one where stories were nurtured from manuscript to bookshelf.

To our authors affected by this: thank you for trusting us with your work. We are committed to honoring existing obligations as we have already done for almost all of our authors who wanted us to, including any final royalty payments that we know of, and we encourage you to seek to self-publish or find new homes for your books with our full support.

Yet, amid this sorrow, there is a silver lining of resilience. BMK Publishing was never solely defined by books. Our magazines and newspapers—print and digital editions covering culture, current affairs, and specialized topics—will continue unabated. These mediums remain fully under our control, free from reliance on third-party platforms that can vanish at a whim. In fact, this shift allows us to double down on what we've always done best: delivering timely, in-depth journalism and curated content directly to you.

Looking ahead, we'll channel our energy into expanding these publications. Expect fresh issues, deeper investigative pieces, and innovative digital features. Subscriptions remain open, and we invite you to join us in this focused journey—your support has always been the backbone of our independence.

To our loyal readers: thank you for your unwavering encouragement. While we mourn the end of our book era, we remain steadfast in our mission to inform, inspire, and connect. BMK Publishing endures, adapted but unbroken.

With gratitude and resolve,

Melisa S. Kennedy

Founder & Editor-in-Chief

BMK Publishing LLC