History
Per Aspera was founded by Jak Koke and Karawynn Long in 2003. Koke will remain editor of all Per Aspera titles, as well as any future titles he acquires for that imprint. We’ve published a number of first-time authors to critical acclaim. Our books are reviewed in the major trade publications, and submitted for awards as appropriate.
Over the years, we’ve developed a love for working with both new and established authors. We’ve helped a number of authors develop, hone, and publish beautiful and impactful work.
Here’s a selected list of past titles:
- Singularity by Bill DeSmedt
- Our Lady of the Islands by Shannon Page & Jay Lake
- Being Small by Chaz Brenchley
Jak Koke
Editorial Director
As a freelance book doctor for more than a decade before starting Per Aspera with Karawynn Long, Jak critiqued, edited, and/or ghostwrote over a hundred novels. Jak oversees publishing and editorial efforts at Per Aspera, from reading submissions through the full process of guiding each individual book to its fullest potential. Some of his past titles include Bill DeSmedt’s Dualism and Singularity, Lindsey S. Johnson’s A Ragged Magic, and Our Lady of the Islands by Shannon Page and Jay Lake.
Jak’s tireless optimism and penchant for thinking outside of the box have resulted in the unofficial titles of “Morale Officer” and “Idea Rat”.
Jak has also written seven sf and fantasy novels, including the Locus number one bestsellers Stranger Souls and Beyond the Pale. Visit Jak’s author website.
Jak Koke, Editorial Director
As a freelance book doctor for more than a decade before starting Per Aspera with Karawynn Long, Jak critiqued, edited, and/or ghostwrote over a hundred novels. Jak oversees publishing and editorial efforts at Per Aspera, from reading submissions through the full process of guiding each individual book to its fullest potential. Some of his past titles include Bill DeSmedt’s Dualism and Singularity, Lindsey S. Johnson’s A Ragged Magic, and Our Lady of the Islands by Shannon Page and Jay Lake.
Jak’s tireless optimism and penchant for thinking outside of the box have resulted in the unofficial titles of “Morale Officer” and “Idea Rat”.
Jak has also written seven sf and fantasy novels, including the Locus number one bestsellers Stranger Souls and Beyond the Pale. Visit Jak’s author website.
Submissions
Per Aspera seeks character-driven stories of science fiction or fantasy. No horror please. Novels preferred, but we also consider short fiction collections if the stories are interconnected and there is a narrative arc across the collection.
We specifically look for stories which are built around a big idea or develop a deep theme, and which make a significant contribution to the speculative fiction genre.
However, we are currently CLOSED to unsolicited manuscript submissions. At this time, if you send a query or a manuscript without having been asked to send it, we’re unlikely to read it. That said, if you’re very very sure that your manuscript is the one we’ve been looking for, use the contact form to query us.