FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Empress Editions Acquires World Rights to The Department of Dark Errands: Shadowmarked, the First Book in a Paranormal Spy Romance Trilogy by Imogen Vane

Cambridge, MA, April 15, 2025 — Empress Editions is delighted to announce the acquisition of world rights to The Department of Dark Errands: Shadowmarked, the first installment in a highly anticipated romantasy trilogy by debut author Imogen Vane.

Set in an alternate near-future London where MI6 runs on blood sigils, truth potions, and memory extractions, Shadowmarked invites readers into a lush and lethal world of magical espionage, secret pacts, and forbidden love.

Welcome to the Department of Dark Errands—London’s most elite (and most dangerous) magical intelligence agency.

At the heart of the story is Nyra Vex, a midlife heroine with more secrets than scars. Ten years after faking her own death, the former magical operative is pulled back into the shadows when her ex-partner—long presumed dead—returns, cursed, compromised, and very much alive. Together, they must unravel a tangled patriarchal conspiracy involving shadowbeasts, rogue agents, and a forbidden magical entity known only as the Red Accord.

She’s the Department’s greatest weapon… and now their greatest threat.

Publisher Alisa Kennedy Jones shares, “Midlife women have long deserved badass heroines paired with transformative love stories that don't skimp on spice. The Department of Dark Errands franchise promises complex female leads, authentic midlife voices, and unfettered pleasure that lights readers up. We can’t wait to bring these books to readers everywhere.”

Author Imogen Vane brings a whip-smart, wildly seductive narrative perfect for fans of Rebecca Yarros, Leigh Bardugo, and The Witcher—but with a twist of Nora Ephron wit and a heroine who can kill a god, break a curse, and still make a mean cup of tea.

Shadowmarked is set for release in Spring 2026, with subsequent installments to follow annually.

For inquiries, foreign rights, or additional information, please contact: hello@empresseditions.net

About Empress Editions
Empress Editions is an innovative indie press dedicated to amplifying the voices of midlife women and transforming the publishing landscape. With a vision born from bold ideas and shaped by global insights—from paper to fulfillment—we’re rewriting the rules of storytelling for women who are just getting started.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Empress Editions Joins Forces with Perfect Bound and Simon & Schuster for Groundbreaking Distribution and Title Management Partnership

Cambridge, MA, March 28, 2025—Empress Editions, the visionary indie press dedicated to empowering midlife women through both bold nonfiction and enchanting midlife romance, is delighted to announce a transformative partnership with industry giants Perfect Bound and Simon & Schuster. This collaboration will elevate Empress Editions’ dynamic roster, featuring titles such as QUICKIES: ONE HUNDRED LITTLE LESSONS FOR LIVING SEXILY EVER AFTER IN MIDLIFE by renowned Oprah-endorsed menopause specialist Dr. Heather Bartos, MD, Kimberly Warner's gripping memoir-mystery, UNFIXED, and the highly anticipated romantasy trilogy THE DEPARTMENT OF DARK ERRANDS by debut midlife author Imogen Vane.

"Our mission has always been to provide midlife women – a vibrant community of over 1.5 billion readers globally – with literature that is as empowering as it is entertaining," said Alisa Kennedy Jones, Publisher at Empress Editions. "After encountering several roadblocks with our initial distributor, we were immensely grateful when our board introduced us to Perfectbound CEO Keith Riegert and Director of Sales and Client Services Claire Davey. Their expertise and support have allowed us to migrate our business seamlessly, setting the stage for our June 24th launch of QUICKIES with Simon & Schuster. We are excited to be liberated from content restrictions and confident that this partnership will help set the gold standard for midlife women’s health literature."

This strategic alliance not only underscores Empress Editions’ commitment to diversifying and enriching its portfolio but also positions the press to amplify its voice in a market that is ripe for innovative narratives. By harnessing the expansive distribution networks of Simon & Schuster alongside Perfect Bound’s title management prowess, Empress Editions is poised to redefine the landscape of midlife literature, bridging the gap between inspirational nonfiction and the allure of midlife romance.

For more information about Empress Editions and to explore their unique catalog, please visit http://empresseditions.net. Additional details on Perfect Bound can be found at http://perfectbound.io.

About Empress Editions
Empress Editions is an indie press at the forefront of publishing thought-provoking nonfiction and midlife romance designed for the modern, empowered woman. With a keen focus on narrative excellence and agentic storytelling, the press seeks to celebrate and elevate the voices of midlife women around the globe.

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For further information, interviews, or review copies, please contact our media relations team at hello@empresseditions.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Empress Editions Acquires World Rights to Quickies: One Hundred Little Lessons for Living Sexily Ever After in Midlife by Renowned Menopause Expert, Dr. Heather Bartos, MD

Cambridge, MA, December 2, 2024—Empress Editions is thrilled to announce the acquisition of world rights to Quickies: One Hundred Little Lessons for Living Sexily Ever After in Midlife by Dr. Heather Bartos, MD. 

Known as Oprah and Maria Shriver’s go-to menopause expert, Dr. Bartos brings her signature blend of wit, wisdom, and medical expertise to this groundbreaking book designed to empower women to embrace midlife with confidence, sensuality, and joy.

Set for release on April 15, 2025, Quickies offers a refreshingly candid and playful approach to reimagining intimacy, identity, and self-love in midlife. With 100 bite-sized lessons, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to reignite their spark and live boldly beyond the hot flashes.

The book also features a surprise foreword, adding an extra layer of delight to an already dazzling package.

Empress Editions Publisher Alisa Kennedy Jones shares, “Dr. Bartos’s voice is a beacon for women navigating midlife. Quickies is as empowering as it is entertaining, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring her wisdom to readers worldwide.”

Dr. Heather Bartos is a board-certified OB/GYN, certified menopause specialist, and reiki master whose work has been featured in The New York Times, Good Housekeeping, and O, The Oprah Magazine. A sought-after speaker and advocate for women's health, she continues to break down barriers and redefine what it means to thrive in midlife.

For inquiries or additional information, please contact: hello@empresseditions.net

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About Empress Editions:
Empress Editions is an innovative indie press dedicated to amplifying the voices of midlife women and transforming the publishing landscape. With a vision born from bold ideas and shaped by global insights—from paper to fulfillment—we’re setting out to rewrite the rules of publishing and storytelling for midlife audiences.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cambridge, MA, January 7, 2025—Empress Editions Acquires World Rights to Kimberly Warner’s Profound and Compelling Memoir, Unfixed

We are thrilled to announce that Empress Editions has acquired the world rights to Unfixed: a memoir of family, mystery, and the currents that carry you home by Kimberly Warner, set to release in bookstores everywhere on October 14, 2025.

When I first read Kimberly Warner’s memoir last year, I was struck by its cinematic depth and the way its storylines unfolded with the precision of a limited series. Unfixed weaves together two mysteries running on parallel timelines, powered by two richly layered characters in profound internal conflict. The heart of the narrative is as emotionally gripping as it is intellectually stimulating—where yearning curiosity collides with the fear and delight of uncovering truths about one’s parentage.

The book resonates on many levels: the intricacies of family and identity, the unflinching bravery it takes to confront the unknown, and the universal question of how to find home when life feels unmoored. With a narrative essence reminiscent of Noah Hawley’s Fargo infused with the haunting, folk-mystery undertones of Where the Crawdads Sing, Kimberly’s storytelling is further elevated by her intimate portrayal of living with chronic illness.

For me personally, this memoir hit home in an extraordinary way. As someone navigating the relentless uncertainty of chronic illness, Kimberly’s reflections on her body and mind as unreliable allies mirrored my own experience of falling—always falling—through the liminal space of midlife. Her voice, much like Dani Shapiro’s in Inheritance, is one we’re honored to amplify through Empress Editions.

This is more than a memoir; it’s a beacon for anyone seeking answers, solace, or simply the courage to keep exploring life’s mysteries.

Don’t Miss Out on Exclusive Rewards!

Join the Unfixed waiting list now for your chance to receive:
✨ A VIP gift bag filled with curated items inspired by the memoir.
✨ An entry into our grand prize—a luxury writing retreat and spa getaway designed to rejuvenate your creative spirit.

Be among the first to experience Kimberly Warner’s unforgettable journey. Sign up today and let the currents carry you home.

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About Empress Editions:
Empress Editions is an innovative indie press dedicated to amplifying the voices of midlife women and transforming the publishing landscape. With a vision born from bold ideas and shaped by global insights—from paper to fulfillment—we’re setting out to rewrite the rules of publishing and storytelling for midlife audiences.