STOCKTON STORIES

PASSIONS Stockton Stories

TULEBURG PRESS EXCLUSIVELY SELLS BOOKS ABOUT STOCKTON

BY NORA HESTON TARTE / D DAN HOOD

Tuleburg Press publishes all things Stockton. The small publishing company, established in 2011, supports works that explore the with others,” Paula says. “Books that I can sell to Delta College for use in the English department have done well because they get ordered semester after local history, people, cultures, wildlife, environment, and more, based on the business model of Heyday Press, a Berkeley publishing company focused on California-centric content. The goal is to support local writers and contribute to the literary history of Stockton. In all, Publisher Paula Sheil says there are nine books of literary and educational merit published by the nonprofit that have sold well at Delta College and beyond.

Books are chosen based on writer submissions. Manuscripts are accepted every year from September 1 to October 31 and to apply, writers submit 10 pages of their work (in any genre as long as there is a tie to Stockton). If there is interest, a full manuscript is requested and decisions are made by January 1 of the following year.

While content and quality of the book is of the utmost importance, its ability to sell also matters. “I have had great success with some and made mistakes semester as long as the instructor is interested.” Neither the publishing company— which also runs The Write Place in Stockton—nor the authors are getting rich off of small publishing runs of 300 to 500 copies each, but authors keep their copyrights and can take books elsewhere. One upside is that, “Tuleburg Press assumes all the costs associated with bringing the book out,” Paula shares. Then, the writer makes 8.5 percent in royalties based on the sales gross. Books published through Tuleburg Press can be purchased on the website (preferred) or on Amazon and include a variety of titles such as Lost and Found, a colorful series of haikus, or David Waldon’s 55 and Counting, which requires a special “lay flat” binding so the book can be enjoyed while holding a beer. “Our mission is to find, mentor and support local writers,” Paula says. “Each book project and author is unique.”

NOTABLE WORKS

Desperation Passes by Phil Hutcheon

55 and Counting, a book of poetry by David Walden

A Lady’s Place, the history of Stockton’s Philomathean Club by Mary Jo Gohlke

The Last Real Hobo, by Galt-resident Terry Albritton

The Great Chinese New Year’s Race and Other Children’s Plays by Heather Rule

Lost and Found: A Collection of Haiku on Love, Loss and Life by Barron Sudderth.

There’s Goose in My Tree by Debra K. Johnson

The Doughboys of San Joaquin County by Elaine Dixon-Ugarkovich

My Spiritual Walk as A Wolfhound: A Grunt in Vietnam by Joe Maes

TULEBURG PRESS

343 E. Main St., Stockton (209) 949-2233 TuleburgPress.com