UPDATED April 16 2021: Writer’s Beware has additional details in depth and substantiated about the issue. There is a later update on the post that makes it clear some authors received payment but it’s not clear if the issue was fully resolved.
UPDATED April 11 2021: International Thriller Writers has suspended Diversion from its list of approved publishers for six months due to lack of communication/statements/royalties with its authors. We have received direct reports from authors that they have not been paid. I would not submit.
Diversion Books was started by Scott Waxman of Waxman Literary Agency. He said that it started as an experiment of sorts to publish books that the agency represented that they had a hard time finding “Big 5” publishers to accept. That was seen as conflict of interest, and writers were initially very leery. However, after seven years they seem to be doing a good job.
Diversion Books started out as strictly an eBook publisher but now they publish print books as well. They publish a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books. They seem to have good distribution, as I have found their books in a number of bookstores. For a while they closed to unsolicited submissions, but currently they are open to un-agented queries. Unfortunately if they are not interested in your book they often do not respond.
Their glassdoor reviews are mostly abysmal, and it appears to be very challenging to work there. The postive ones seem inauthentic.
They accept books that have been previously self-published, which is rare. Their FAQ page is actually very helpful.
Their catalog is also very helpful as you can really get a feel for the range of books they publish, everything from corny romance, to a business book by Mark Cuban.
Currently they are looking for books in the following categories:
Fiction: Romance (contemporary and historical), Thrillers, Mysteries, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Young Adult.
Non-Fiction: Business, Sports, Health, True Crime, and platform-based general interest titles.
If you want to submit to them please send a query letter including any marketing information and the first two chapters in an email. Do not attach anything. If you have not heard from them in over two months assume that they are not interested in your book.
To learn more or to submit visit their website here.
