By New York, NY, 7th June 2025, As digital reading continues its upward trajectory in 2025, one boutique publishing house is making a strategic move to capitalize on the booming popularity of genre fiction. City Owl Press, an independent digital-first publisher renowned for its romance and speculative fiction titles, has announced a major expansion of its Urban Fantasy catalog, reinforcing its position as a key player in the digital genre fiction marketplace.
Founded in 2014 and based in New York, City Owl Press has built a strong reputation for blending traditional publishing standards with the flexibility of a boutique press. With a growing author list and a broadening genre reach, the press is leveraging its unique hybrid model to meet reader demand and market trends.
“Urban fantasy has always been a cornerstone of our speculative fiction offerings,” said Tina Moss, co-founder and editorial director at City Owl Press. “What we’re seeing now is a renewed global appetite for immersive, character-driven fantasy stories rooted in real-world settings. Our expansion reflects both reader demand and our commitment to delivering diverse, dynamic, and commercially viable titles in this space.”
Urban Fantasy: A Rising Force in Digital Fiction
Urban fantasy has seen a strong resurgence over the past two years, thanks in part to platforms like Kindle Unlimited, TikTok’s #BookTok community, and audiobook growth. According to a 2025 report from BookNet USA and BISG, urban and paranormal fantasy titles have surged in eBook sales by over 30% year-over-year, with younger millennial and Gen Z readers driving this trend.
Recognizing this shift, City Owl Press has not only increased its acquisitions in urban fantasy but is also committed to launching new sub-imprints and author spotlights designed to nurture talent in this genre. The expansion includes:
- 10+ new urban fantasy titles slated for release in the next 18 months
- A focus on diverse protagonists, queer narratives, and multicultural magical systems
- Serialized digital releases tailored for binge-reading audiences
- Increased investment in audiobook production for key urban fantasy titles
A Legacy of Genre Excellence
City Owl Press has long been respected for its ability to cultivate author careers across speculative subgenres. Their catalog includes bestselling series in paranormal romance, romantic suspense, sci-fi romance, and now, increasingly, cross-genre urban fantasy.
Recent author successes include:
- Tracey Martin’s “Miss Misery” series
- B. Sieders “Jinx McGee” series
- “Ashes of Onyx” by Seth Skorkowsky
“What sets City Owl apart is their genuine partnership with authors,” said Rachel Rawlings, longtime urban fantasy author with City Owl. “They understand what genre readers want and support us in telling authentic, powerful stories.”
Digital-First Strategy Driving Success
At the heart of this expansion is City Owl’s digital-first publishing model, which allows for agile production, global distribution, and faster time-to-market. With distribution supported by Simon & Schuster, the press maintains a robust presence across Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Apple Books.
City Owl’s team works closely with authors on developmental editing, strategic release planning, and tailored marketing campaigns. Their model embraces:
- Multi-format publishing: eBooks, trade paperbacks, audiobooks
- Data-driven release strategies targeting optimal seasons and platforms
- Strong metadata optimization for discoverability
- Active engagement with online communities, particularly #BookTok, Goodreads, and Facebook reading groups
“This is not just about publishing more books,” said co-founder Yelena Casale. “It’s about publishing smarter—using data, community insights, and quality editorial work to bring the best of urban fantasy to the forefront.”
Global Reach with Local Heart
While rooted in New York, City Owl’s authors span the globe, and their titles reach readers in dozens of countries. The upcoming urban fantasy expansion includes voices from the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Australia, with growing interest in translations and international distribution.
This global mindset is matched by a deeply author-centric ethos. City Owl Press remains one of the few indie publishers still open to un-agented submissions, particularly in niche and emerging subgenres like mythpunk, magical realism, and culturally specific urban fantasy.
“They gave me my start when no one else would,” said debut author H.D. Locke, whose forthcoming title The Djinn & The District blends Middle Eastern mythology with noir detective fiction. “They treated me like a partner, not a product.”
Looking Ahead
City Owl Press will officially launch its urban fantasy expansion this summer, with marketing campaigns rolling out across social media, digital reading platforms, and independent review channels. A virtual event series—City Owl Nights: Urban Fantasy Author Talks—is planned for late Q3 2025 to spotlight their growing roster of genre writers.
For readers seeking magic in the mundane and adventure on every page, City Owl’s expanded urban fantasy line promises bold stories, diverse voices, and unforgettable worlds.
Media Contact:
Public Relations – City Owl Press
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