From ARCs to Exclusive Editions: City Owl Press Boosts Early Access for Digital Book Influencers

July 2025 – New York, NY – In a strategic move to strengthen its connection with the digital reading community, City Owl Press is expanding its recently launched Influencer Program to include exclusive early access initiatives, limited-edition hardcovers, and a robust suite of benefits aimed at empowering content creators across platforms like BookTok, Bookstagram, YouTube, and blogs.

As genre fiction continues to thrive in digital markets particularly romance, fantasy, and speculative fiction, City Owl Press is leading the charge in offering tailored experiences not just for readers, but for the influencers who shape modern literary conversations.

With this expansion, the publisher reaffirms its commitment to community-driven publishing, diverse storytelling, and building relationships with the book lovers who fuel the industry’s most passionate readerships.

A Community-First Approach to Influencer Engagement

Originally launched in early June 2025, the City Owl Press Influencer Program was designed to connect the publisher’s catalog of immersive genre fiction with passionate reviewers and content creators. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, prompting the team to enhance the initiative with more personalized access and collectible editions.

Participants in the program now receive:

1. Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) – Physical paperbacks shipped before official release dates.
2. Exclusive Edition Hardcovers – First-look access to beautifully designed, limited-run editions.
3. Curated Promotions – Personalized discount codes and giveaway opportunities for followers.
4. Author & Editor Access – Invitations to virtual events, Q&A panels, and behind-the-scenes sessions.

“We wanted to create something that felt more like a relationship than a review request,” said Yelena Casale, Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder of City Owl Press. “Our goal is to build a network of trusted voices who genuinely love the stories we publish and want to grow with us.”

Why It Matters: Influencers Are Today’s Tastemakers

In an era where traditional advertising is giving way to authentic peer-to-peer recommendations, especially in the romance and fantasy genres, the role of influencers has become central to book discovery. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have launched countless indie titles into viral success, often through enthusiastic, niche-focused communities.

City Owl Press, whose catalog includes subgenres such as paranormal romance, urban fantasy, speculative sci-fi, and time-travel fiction—has seen firsthand how powerful influencer partnerships can be. With several recent titles gaining traction via #BookTok and fantasy-themed YouTube reviews, the publisher recognizes that creating an accessible, collaborative environment for creators is both a strategic and ethical investment.

Focused on Genre, Diversity, and Reader-Driven Publishing

Founded in 2014 by authors and industry professionals Tina Moss and Yelena Casale, City Owl Press has always been deeply committed to inclusive, genre-forward publishing. As a boutique, hybrid press, the company combines the creative agility of independent publishing with the editorial quality and market insight of traditional models.

Their list includes stories that prioritize emotional depth, high-concept fantasy, and underrepresented voices from LGBTQ+ leads in paranormal romance to powerful female protagonists in dystopian worlds.

The expansion of the Influencer Program complements this mission by inviting more diverse reviewers into the conversation, giving space to content creators of all sizes and backgrounds who are passionate about genre fiction.

“Our audience doesn’t just want escapism, they want stories that reflect who they are and what they believe in,” said Casale. “By partnering with influencers from a range of communities, we’re helping those stories reach the readers who need them most.”

Real-World Access Meets Digital Discovery

In addition to early books and bonus content, program members also receive invitations to exclusive digital events hosted by City Owl Press, including:

1. Virtual Book Launches
2. Author Meet-and-Greets
3. Q&A Panels on Craft and Worldbuilding
4. Live ARC Reading Groups

This hybrid of physical book access and digital community engagement positions City Owl Press as one of the few genre-focused publishers truly optimizing both sides of the influencer-reader pipeline.

More importantly, it places the brand squarely within the cultural moment, where book discovery is as likely to happen on a phone screen as it is in a bookstore aisle.

How to Join

The City Owl Press Influencer Program is now accepting new applications from:

1. Bookstagrammers
2. BookTubers
3. BookTokers
4. Review bloggers
5. Micro-influencers in genre spaces

No minimum follower count is required, just a genuine love for books and a desire to help spread the word about new, diverse voices in romance and fantasy.

📌 Apply here: https://cityowlpress.com/pages/city-owl-press-influencer-program

About City Owl Press

City Owl Press is a forward-thinking, digital-first publisher committed to emotionally rich, genre-bending storytelling. With a focus on romance, urban fantasy, and speculative fiction, the press brings bold new voices to life through hybrid publishing models and deep editorial partnerships. Founded by authors, for authors, City Owl prioritizes creativity, community, and craft above all else.

For media inquiries, interviews, or ARC questions, contact:

📧 [email protected]

🌐 https://cityowlpress.com

📰 Medium: https://medium.com/@cityowlpress