Dragon Moon Press

Dragon Moon Press is an American independent publishing company focused on speculative fiction. Its publishing scope includes science fiction, fantasy, dark fantasy, and novels that combine or cross the boundaries of multiple genres. Gwen Gades founded the company in 1993, although its first book was not released until 1998, creating a distinction between the establishment of the publishing operation and the beginning of its documented book list. The press has operated in a specialist segment of the book market rather than as a broad commercial publisher. Its catalog has included novels by Scott Sigler, Stewart Bint, Tee Morris, Philippa Ballantine, Dane Cobain, Chico Kidd, and Jana Oliver, among others. The company is also associated with publishing work by podcast novelists, reflecting an interest in authors and storytelling projects that developed through emerging digital-audio and online communities. This connection positioned Dragon Moon Press within a niche where independent publishing, genre fiction, and new media distribution overlapped. Recognition for the company’s books has primarily come through genre and independent-publishing awards. Dragon Moon Press novels have been finalists for the Sir Julius Vogel Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and the ForeWord Book of the Year Awards, the latter now known as the Foreword INDIES. Jana Oliver’s Sojourn achieved a notable distinction in 2006 when it became the first fantasy or science-fiction book to receive ForeWord’s Book of the Year Editor’s Choice Award. In 2009, the press’s catalog received further ForeWord recognition: Chris A. Jackson’s Scimitar Moon won a Gold medal in Science Fiction/Fantasy, while Christiana Ellis’s Nina Kimberly the Merciless received a Bronze medal in the same category. The available reference material does not establish the company’s current ownership, management, headquarters, website, financial position, or present publishing activity. Accordingly, Dragon Moon Press is best characterized here as an independent American speculative-fiction publisher with a documented history beginning in the 1990s and a catalog that has received recognition from genre and independent-book awards.

Dragon Moon Press was founded in the United States by Gwen Gades in 1993. The company’s first book appeared in 1998, so its early history includes a five-year period between the creation of the press and the start of its recorded publishing program. It developed as an independent publisher concentrating on speculative fiction rather than attempting to cover the full commercial-book market. The press’s stated areas of specialization include science fiction, fantasy, dark fantasy, and cross-genre novels. Its authors have included Scott Sigler, Stewart Bint, Tee Morris, Philippa Ballantine, Dane Cobain, Chico Kidd, and Jana Oliver. Dragon Moon Press also has a documented history of printing work by podcast novelists. That aspect of its catalog connected the company with authors whose fiction circulated through podcasting and related digital communities, an area that broadened the ways genre novels could reach readers beyond conventional print-first channels. The company’s publishing record gained visibility through literary and independent-publishing recognition. Dragon Moon Press novels were finalists for awards including the Sir Julius Vogel Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and the ForeWord Book of the Year Awards, which are now known as the Foreword INDIES. In 2006, Jana Oliver’s Sojourn became the first fantasy or science-fiction title to win ForeWord’s Book of the Year Editor’s Choice Award. The achievement was significant both for the author and for the press’s position in the independent speculative-fiction field. Dragon Moon Press received additional recognition in 2009. Chris A. Jackson’s Scimitar Moon won the Gold medal in the Science Fiction/Fantasy category of the ForeWord Book of the Year Awards, while Christiana Ellis’s Nina Kimberly the Merciless received the Bronze medal in that category. These results demonstrated that the press’s catalog was represented across multiple forms of genre recognition, from award finalist placements to category-level medals and editor-selected honors. The available sources do not provide reliable information about later ownership, leadership changes, corporate structure, headquarters, financial performance, or the company’s current publication schedule. Its documented history therefore supports describing Dragon Moon Press as an American independent speculative-fiction publisher founded in 1993, with publishing activity beginning in 1998 and a catalog notable for genre breadth, podcast-novel connections, and award-recognized titles.

• 2009

  Two titles win ForeWord medals

  [1]Dragon Moon Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Scimitar Moon won Gold and Nina Kimberly the Merciless won Bronze in the Science Fiction/Fantasy category of the ForeWord Book of the Year Awards.

• 2006

  Sojourn wins ForeWord Editor's Choice Award

  [1]Dragon Moon Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Jana Oliver's Sojourn became the first fantasy or science-fiction book to receive ForeWord's Book of the Year Editor's Choice Award.

• 1998

  First book published

  [1]Dragon Moon Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Dragon Moon Press released its first book, beginning its documented publishing output.

• 1993

  Company founded

  [1]Dragon Moon Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Gwen Gades founded Dragon Moon Press in the United States as an independent publisher.

An independent specialist publisher centered on speculative fiction, including science fiction, fantasy, dark fantasy, cross-genre novels, and work connected to podcast-based storytelling.

• Publishing category

  Science-fiction novels

  Science fiction is one of Dragon Moon Press’s core publishing areas. The company’s science-fiction catalog is represented in the awards record, including titles recognized through the ForeWord Book of the Year Awards and related independent-publishing honors.

• Publishing category

  Fantasy and dark-fantasy novels

  Dragon Moon Press publishes fantasy fiction, including darker fantasy material. Jana Oliver’s Sojourn received a notable ForeWord Editor’s Choice distinction, providing a documented example of the press’s recognition in fantasy and science-fiction publishing.

• Publishing category

  Cross-genre novels

  The press also specializes in cross-genre novels that do not fit neatly within a single speculative-fiction category. This focus complements its science-fiction, fantasy, and dark-fantasy publishing and allows its catalog to encompass varied forms of genre storytelling.

• Publishing format and author segment

  Podcast-novel works

  Dragon Moon Press has a history of printing work by podcast novelists. These publications link the company’s print activity with fiction first developed or distributed through podcasting and online audio communities.

1. 1Dragon Moon Pressen.wikipedia.org