About Us
— Painted Wings Publishing
— Founded by Jen Houser
— Forced-edge process developed in 2022
— Specializing in custom printed/embedded book edges for indie authors
— Other services include book formatting, alternative inking, and covers/typography
Painted Wings Publishing was founded by Jen Houser (also known as J. Houser on her published fantasy & romance works).
In 2022, jealous of traditional publishers having access to digitally sprayed book edges, and inspired by ancient fore-edge painting techniques, Jen considered whether there was a way to embed edges that indie authors could use for print-on-demand distribution models. While the process has changed by leaps and bounds from how we initially started doing our signature edges, the very first proof copy arrived with evidence that Jen's theory worked!
In 2023, Jen made a TikTok on her author account, letting other indie authors know she was willing to design edges for them, and she was lucky enough to catch the mysterious algorithm, garnering tens of thousands of views and an instant stream of excited clients.
We were also the first to offer variations such as dual edges, hidden edges, and multibook continuous designs. We're proudly developing our own book studio tool, due for phase one release soon!
Jen having taught herself to format her own books came in handy as well, as authors wanted to hire a formatter, and our services continue to grow! We have plans for expansion over time, but we make sure to take the time to do it right, and we aren't willing to compromise on quality and what we represent for a quick buck.
The Story Behind Our Name
In 2020, Jen took a leave of absence from her job at an airline during Covid lockdowns, and like a lot of people, she decided to finally give novel-writing a go. She instantly became addicted. After researching both traditional and self-publishing, she decided to self-publish her debut novel.
Once it came time to establish an imprint, she liked the name Painted Wings Publishing. Butterflies have had a special place in her heart, especially after a terribly discouraging day years ago as she sat on a bench in Wrocław Poland. That was the first day she ever saw the beautiful Northern European Peacock Butterfly (pictured below), giving her something to smile about. Painted Wings Publishing, with our logo including a butterfly, represents beauty and hope.
Just like that butterfly so many years ago, our signature printed edge technique was a break that came at a much-needed moment, helping Jen and family members with health issues to support themselves.
