Breakthrough Books

Yes, we know we may not be flashy, but we will keep on keeping on because we believe in what we’re doing and that authors deserve to be at the centre of the industry not at the bottom of the pile…

Death of a publishing dream: how the Unbound revolution b... The literary disrupters enjoyed great success with their crowdfunding model, signing authors that other publishers overlooked. And then the money ran out…

Breakthrough Books is the only publisher to arise from the Unbound ashes that’s author-centred and author-led. A “happy ending” growing organically not flashily. Maybe a good news story of trailblazing authors just isn’t headline worthy? @observeruk.bsky.social

observer.co.uk/news/busines...

If you want to read more, all of our anthologies are available from the usual places, but we now also sell them as a bundle from our own website. See below for more details.

www.breakthroughbookcollective.com/product/the-...

For today’s #FirstLineFriday we’re going back to the beginning with a quote from our very first short story anthology, #TakingLiberties.

Quote from On The Brushes by @sueclarkauthor.bsky.social.

But we believe authors need to be the captains of their own destinies rather than always at the mercy of the industry. Even if that doesn’t make headlines. (2/2)

As ex-unbounders turned author-publishers we applaud initiatives helping those affected by the fiasco, as we’ve been doing for 2 1/2 years, and are happy for anyone on this new lifeboat.
(1/2)

But we believe authors need to be the captains of their own destinies rather than always at the mercy of the industry. Even if that doesn’t make headlines. (2/2)

As ex-unbounders turned author-publishers we applaud initiatives helping those affected by the fiasco, as we’ve been doing for 2 1/2 years, and are happy for anyone on this new lifeboat.
(1/2)

Whether or not you have read Bone Lines and/or The Fire In Their Eyes, you may enjoy this carefully curated and oddly eclectic playlist inspired by the books - and I’d love to know if you resonate with any of this or recognise the characters…

open.spotify.com/playlist/3yG...

A number of us at Breakthrough have been through the Unbound experience (though many of us had much better experiences, but there’s no satisfaction in that) so we understand, and we stand with you.

…only to be left emotionally and financially devastated… and with books in limbo.
Cruel treatment. And such extraordinary incompetence and lack of foresight.

Yes, publishing is a tough business in a very challenging market, but it’s particularly excruciating for so many authors to have put so much work, love and effort — and raising money — into producing high-quality works…

We began our initiative 2 1/2 years ago precisely because authors and creatives (the very people without whom the industry would not exist) far too often come at the bottom of the pile.

All at Breakthrough wish to express our thoughts and sympathies for everyone affected so badly by the terrible Unbound / Boundless / Neem Tree fiasco.

(Continued)

www.breakthroughbookcollective.com

For this week’s #FirstLineFriday, not only do we have the first line of the bestselling Bone Lines, but also the first line of The Children Of Sarah series.

A perfect read for anyone who enjoyed BBC’s #Humans.

Available FOR FREE* from our website. For details, see the link below.

www.breakthroughbookcollective.com

For a limited period on the Breakthrough web shop, you get a free Bone Lines e-book with any purchase of The Fire In Their Eyes and a free The Boy Who Stole Time e-book with any purchase of The Dream-Pedlars’ Parade.

(*for this offer paperbacks can be sent only in the UK)

Who doesn’t adore seeing their books in the wild, and in such esteemed company! #booksky #bookshops #bookshelves

Amazon: shorturl.at/7qGdT

Breakthrough Books: shorturl.at/9b8IC

as real as it gets in terms of the psychological effects of witnessing the worst that we can do, while also taking the reader on an extraordinary journey through #magicalrealism into the way that mysterious #books - and a battle-scarred imagination - can come alive.

So, the lines between popular non-fiction and truth have sadly been blurred again recently.
Why not read some fiction inspired by some deeply felt real-life experiences?

In Truth, Madness by war correspondent Imran Khan feels…

Amazon: shorturl.at/Ud5eQ

Breakthrough Books: shorturl.at/LEdx9

A big thank you to @valeriavescina.bsky.social for this wonderful five star #review for The Fire In Their Eyes by @brethertonwords.bsky.social.

- Margaret Atwood
- Madeleine Miller
- Jean M. Auel
- Richard Powers
- Ursula le Guin
- Yuval Noah Harari
- Bonnie Garmus
- David Mitchell
- Michael Crichton

Inspired by a recent review, we thought we’d look at some comparisons that might inspire you to pick up The Fire In Their Eyes - or start the series with Bone Lines!

These are rather unusual and “brave” books, so it’s not surprising this is an eclectic list… but here goes…
#books #booksworthreading

Great to see this and the University of Ghent research behind it. And how wonderful, as I've just finished reading @brethertonwords.bsky.social's powerful and gripping "The Fire In Their Eyes", which brings to life a wise and resourceful prehistoric woman! @breakthroughbook.bsky.social

Amazon: shorturl.at/WDUVR

Breakthrough Books: shorturl.at/q1b1S

“More from Zena please.”

Another wonderful review for @zenabarrie.bsky.social’s Two Similar Looking Men With Umbilical Hernias from the lovely people at Bookmunch.

Look below for all the places you can get your hands on this soon-to-be-cult book!

bookmunch.wordpress.com/2025/06/29/m...

Amazon: shorturl.at/Ud5eQ

Breakthrough Books: shorturl.at/LEdx9