Our story
We believe every voice deserves a platform.
Bookfactoryshop was founded on a simple conviction: that great writing exists far beyond the walls of traditional publishing — and that independent authors deserve the same professional support, beautiful books, and real readership as anyone else.
200+
Books published
180+
Independent authors
12
Genres covered
2021
Founded
Our mission
Publishing without gatekeepers.
Traditional publishing is slow, opaque, and built for a narrow slice of voices. We built Bookfactoryshop to change that. We work with writers across Africa and beyond — debut novelists, seasoned poets, first-time memoirists, and everyone in between.
Our process is simple: you write, we help you publish. We provide professional editing, striking cover design, clean formatting, and a place in our catalogue where readers can find and buy your work. No gatekeepers. No mystery. Just your book, done properly.
We charge a nominal submission fee to cover the cost of our services — and we keep it as low as possible, because we believe cost should never be the reason a good book goes unpublished.
What we stand for
Our values
Every voice matters
We don't decide whose story is worth telling. We believe in the writer in front of us and work to make their book the best it can be.
Quality without compromise
Affordable doesn't mean amateur. Every book we publish receives the same professional attention we'd give any major release.
Transparency always
No hidden fees, no confusing contracts, no small print. We tell you exactly what you're getting and what it costs.
Community over competition
Our authors are our community. We celebrate each other's successes and support each other's journeys.
The people behind the books
Meet the team
A small team of editors, designers, and book lovers who care deeply about independent publishing.
Naledi Sithole
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Naledi spent 12 years as a senior editor at a major Johannesburg publisher before founding Bookfactoryshop in 2021. She believes the best stories are the ones that almost didn't get told.
Ruan van der Berg
Head of Design
Ruan has designed covers for over 200 books. He brings a typographer's precision and a painter's eye to every project, creating covers that stop readers mid-scroll.
Adaeze Okonkwo
Senior Editor
Adaeze is a developmental editor with a background in literary fiction and narrative non-fiction. She has a gift for finding the story within the story.
Marcus Louw
Operations & Author Relations
Marcus keeps everything running smoothly and is usually the first person an author speaks to. He's read every book in our catalogue — twice.
Ready to publish your book?
Join our growing community of independent authors. Submit your manuscript and let's bring your story to life.