Getting to Know…Jessica Mudditt of Hembury Books

Meet the Sydney publisher helping aspiring authors bring their books to life

Founder and CEO, Hembury Books

For many aspiring authors, finishing a manuscript is only the beginning. When traditional publishing doors stayed closed on Jessica Mudditt’s memoir, she chose a different path – one that eventually led her to create Hembury Books. The former journalist, author and single mum shares why she believes writers deserve more ways to publish, how the business honours her late father, and the joy of watching authors step into the spotlight.

Tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to start Hembury Books.

I was heartbroken when I couldn’t get a traditional publishing deal for my memoir, Our Home in Myanmar. I think I pitched it to almost every publisher in Australia before I gave up. I reluctantly turned to self-publishing, but quickly fell in love with the process. I relished the creative freedom it gave me, as well as being able to see my royalty earnings in real time through Amazon and IngramSpark. It suited my entrepreneurial spirit much better than having a publisher call all the shots.

I realised there were many other people like me who had completed their manuscripts but couldn’t get past the traditional literary gatekeepers. I had always dreamed of running a books business, but it wasn’t until my dad passed away in 2023 that I had an epiphany. Sitting at my desk the day after Dad lost his battle with dementia, I realised how short our lives are. Why was I waiting to start my books business?

I knew Dad would have encouraged me to chase my dreams. I named the business Hembury Books after his furniture business, Hembury Pty Ltd. Hembury was also the name of our family home in Park Orchards in Melbourne and his family home in the UK. I wish he were still here to talk shop with me.

What makes Hembury Books different from other publishers?

Our authors retain all their royalties and maintain creative control. It is very unusual for a publisher not to take any royalties at all. As a self-published author myself, I value keeping all my royalties. I believe it is more equitable for authors to keep them because a book is the result of their creativity and hard work. Our authors invest in our publishing services, which is what sustains our business model.

We also offer a personalised service. Our team includes publishing consultants, editors, cover designers and typesetters, so authors have professional support throughout the process without feeling overwhelmed or having to give up control of their book.

What do you enjoy most about helping authors bring their stories to life?

I love seeing an author’s transformation as they complete the journey to publication. Many writers begin with a lot of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. They might say, ‘I’m not sure if my book is any good,’ or ‘I don’t know if anyone will want to read it.’ Over the four months they work with us, we help build their confidence and create a buzz around the book.

When I see an author at their launch with a long line of people waiting to buy their book and have it signed, it makes me really happy. After publication, the book often takes on a life of its own, and the opportunities it creates for the author can be amazing. It is exciting to see an author give a media interview or host a book signing where people are hanging on every word. I am lucky to work in such a feel-good industry.

Are there any common misconceptions about hybrid publishing that you would love to address?

The biggest one is that a hybrid publisher like Hembury Books is a ‘vanity publisher’, meaning we simply publish whatever lands on our desk. The truth is that we do want to publish the books that come our way – we have a green light publishing policy. But that doesn’t make it a vanity project.

The idea that an author must be ‘chosen’ by a publisher that rejects 99 per cent of the manuscripts it receives is old-fashioned. It is not vain to want to publish your book or to take matters into your own hands if traditional publishers don’t express an interest.

There is also an irony in the fact that traditional publishers increasingly look for authors with large social media followings because it may increase the likelihood of strong sales. Someone may have written an incredible book, but without a huge following, a publisher may not be interested. A large following does not necessarily mean someone has written an interesting book. I am really invested in publishing books by genuine writers.

What types of authors or stories are you most passionate about working with?

As a former journalist, I love memoirs because they are true accounts of people’s lives. Hembury Books has published some outstanding memoirs, including The Mould Maker by Tami Lou Castillo, Mostly Ups by Kerryn Harvey, Nightmare on Cromwell Street by Karen Hamilton and Tell Your Eating Disorder to F*** Off by Kate Purcell.

We are also turning six memoirs into short-form documentaries through our new entity, Hembury Productions. Our goal is to help authors promote their books by telling part of their story in documentary format. The documentaries will be released on our YouTube channel towards the end of the year.

Can you share a memorable success story from an author you have worked with?

Karen Hamilton is the author of Nightmare on Cromwell Street, which describes the year she spent living, unknowingly, with Britain’s worst serial killers, Fred and Rose West. Her book attracted a great deal of media attention, and last month she was flown to the UK to take part in a documentary about events that happened almost 50 years ago.

She was also reunited with the only other surviving lodger at 19 Cromwell Street, Kathleen Richards, who has also written a book. They are now in daily contact because they both understand what the other went through, and they have formed a beautiful friendship. The documentary will air on the BBC in September.

What do your clients value most about working with Hembury Books?

They often tell us that the level of service goes beyond their expectations. We get to know our authors well and meet regularly over Zoom. We can answer questions about the technical side of publishing as well as the mindset challenges that can arise along the way.

It is a personalised service tailored to each author. We get a real kick out of being part of their journey, and I think our authors value that genuineness.

How do you balance running a publishing business with family life?

I am a single parent to my two girls, who are six and seven – or ‘six-seven’, as they like to say! I have two modes: work mode and mum mode. When I am in mum mode, I am not working. I don’t try to multitask, I don’t take calls after dinner, and I don’t do anything on Wednesday nights.

Claire and Olivia stay with their dad on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I wouldn’t get to see them for most of the week if I went out on Wednesday nights. Sundays are fun days, so I don’t attend book launches on Sundays, with only a couple of exceptions.

I built the business to provide a better life for my kids, rather than the tenuous nature of freelance journalism, so I am stubborn about maintaining a lifestyle that gives me as much time as possible with my girls. They are only little once. I also find that keeping a clear line between work and home helps me stay well rested.

Is there a moment that captures the heart and spirit of Hembury Books?

Our annual party is coming up, and I cannot wait. We hold it at the Library Bar on the rooftop of the State Library of New South Wales. Last year we had around 70 people, and this year we will have more than 100 guests, many of whom are our authors.

It is a night to celebrate all the new books that have come into the world during the year. I cannot wait to see so many of our authors together in one place and to mingle with the amazing guests from the Hembury Books Podcast.

Finally, what would you most like Inner West Mums readers to take away from your story?

If you have written a book but aren’t sure how to get it published, please get in touch with us. Your book could be out in the world in as little as four months.

Traditional publishing can be a long and difficult path, and getting a deal is out of reach for many authors. Hybrid publishing offers another way forward: professional support while retaining your royalties and creative control.