The company was founded in 2019 by David Polfeldt in order to manage his writing which resulted in a biography called The Dream Architects (published by Grand Central). As a reaction to the disadvantages of hybrid and selfpublishing, the company was transformed in 2024 into an independent/niche publisher modelled on record labels, such as 4AD, Rough Trade and Heartwork.
In its reincarnated shape, Li’l Factory is focused on publishing odd stories that find no other home. The authors may be young and looking for their first breakthrough, or they may be veterans sitting on material that is rejected by trad publishers. Li’l Factory aims to make a string of beautiful books that reach breakeven and gives the author a boost to continue their work. The publisher covers all costs from editing to print - the main point being that the author should never take a financial risk.
Li’l Factory hopes to print 1-4 books a year, depending on what we find and what we can afford.
Transparent Publishing - how does it work?
All cards on the table: Li’l Factory pays for editing, copyediting, proofreading, inlet design, cover design, print, and (a little) marketing.
The author is given full insight into the costs throughout the entire process.
When a book is printed and the story finally reaches the physical realm (yay!), the publisher's costs are recouped, and once this is accomplished, the revenue-split is 40% for the publisher and 60% for the author.
If a book takes us all by surprise and gains wider interest, the author is free to pursue all openings created by such success after giving Li'l Factory a 12 month exclusivity window, counting from release day.
