In an era where digital storytelling and remote collaboration define the creative economy, forward-thinking publishers are creating new models for mentorship, innovation, and author development. City Owl Press, a boutique digital-first publishing house known for championing genre fiction, is stepping up to lead that movement.
This summer, City Owl Press will launch its first-ever Virtual Writer Residency Program, a curated initiative designed to nurture emerging voices in romance, urban fantasy, paranormal, and speculative fiction. Set against the backdrop of a thriving digital publishing market, the residency signals a new era of access, inclusivity, and industry mentorship for genre fiction writers.
Empowering Emerging Writers with Real-World Industry Insight
City Owl Press, founded in 2014 and headquartered in New York, has long positioned itself at the intersection of traditional publishing standards and indie innovation. With a strong focus on quality storytelling, professional editing, and author-centric values, the press has published dozens of successful titles in romance, urban fantasy, and cross-genre fiction.
Now, with the upcoming Virtual Writer Residency, City Owl Press is creating a structured, immersive experience that offers early-career and unpublished authors a chance to refine their craft, understand the publishing process, and receive direct feedback from industry professionals.
“At City Owl, we believe that talent is everywhere, but access isn’t,” said Tina Moss, co-founder and editorial director. “Our residency is about opening doors—supporting writers who have a voice but may not have the network or traditional background to break into the industry.”
What the Residency Offers
This is not your average writing course or workshop. The City Owl Virtual Residency Program is designed with a practical, career-minded approach and will include:
- Weekly editorial masterclasses hosted by City Owl’s in-house editors and guest authors
- 1:1 mentorship meetings with editors and publishing staff
- Pitch sessions and manuscript feedback from real acquisition teams
- Genre-specific worldbuilding clinics, focusing on romance tropes, speculative systems, and character arcs
- Panels with bestselling City Owl authors on surviving and thriving in today’s hybrid publishing landscape
- A capstone opportunity to submit directly to City Owl’s acquisitions team with priority consideration
Unlike traditional programs that charge steep fees or require MFA-level credentials, City Owl’s residency will be free for selected participants, with a focus on marginalized and underrepresented voices in genre fiction.
“This is about equity,” said co-founder Yelena Casale. “We’re actively looking for writers whose stories challenge norms, push boundaries, and bring something fresh to genres we love.”
Why a Virtual Residency—and Why Now?
As remote working, digital classrooms, and virtual critique groups have become standard, publishers are rethinking how they find and develop talent. A virtual residency allows for global participation, scheduling flexibility, and accessibility for those outside traditional publishing hubs.
In recent years, the genre fiction market—particularly romance, urban fantasy, and paranormal—has exploded on digital platforms like Kindle Unlimited, Wattpad, and TikTok’s #BookTok. Yet, many promising writers still struggle to access professional development and break into publishing.
City Owl Press’s residency meets this challenge head-on, offering structure and mentorship in a format that mirrors the realities of modern digital publishing.
“The writing world can feel intimidating, especially in genres like romance and fantasy where expectations are high,” said Eden Butler, a bestselling City Owl author. “A program like this shows emerging writers how the sausage is made—in a way that builds confidence and community.”
A Publisher Built for Genre Fiction
City Owl’s editorial team specializes in commercially viable, emotionally resonant genre fiction. The press has released hundreds of titles since its inception, many of which have become Amazon bestsellers, award winners, and BookTok favorites. Their catalog is rich with subgenres—paranormal romance, romantic suspense, mythic fantasy, sci-fi romance—serving a wide audience with a growing appetite for cross-genre storytelling.
The publisher also maintains strong distribution partnerships, notably with Simon & Schuster, allowing their authors’ books to reach major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, and independent bookstores.
City Owl Press is one of the few digital-first publishers that still accepts unagented submissions and is committed to giving debut voices a platform.
Residency as a Strategic Talent Pipeline
Beyond community impact, the residency serves a strategic role: it helps City Owl identify, develop, and potentially sign future authors whose work fits their brand and market goals.
Publishing today is as much about discovering the next trend as it is about curating timeless stories. By working closely with emerging writers during the residency, City Owl gains early access to talent and insights into what new voices are bringing to genre fiction.
“We want authors who are brave with their craft—who can balance genre expectations with innovation,” said Moss. “This program is our way of fostering that talent from the ground up.”
Program Timeline and Application
The City Owl Virtual Residency will run for 8 weeks starting in September 2025. Applications will open in June, and selected participants will be notified by early August.
To apply, writers must submit a short bio, a synopsis of their work-in-progress, and the first 10 pages of a manuscript in a genre that City Owl publishes. There is no fee to apply.
Full details, FAQs, and application forms will be available soon on cityowlpress.com under the Residency Program tab.
Looking Ahead
With the Virtual Writer Residency Program, City Owl Press continues to redefine what indie publishing can achieve—not just as a content provider, but as a community builder and incubator for genre fiction talent.
For aspiring authors, especially those writing outside the mainstream, this residency represents not just an opportunity—but a launchpad.
“Great stories deserve great support,” said Casale. “And this residency is our promise to help writers soar.”
