About The Rapid Publishers

Based in California, The Rapid Publishers is an independent publishing house that believes everyone has a story worth sharing. We are dedicated to helping authors bring their stories to the world while providing a truly exceptional publishing experience.

Our Mission

We Aim to Empower Independent Authors

We support authors by providing an unmatched publishing experience, combining decades of industry expertise with a passionate team of world-class designers, editors, and illustrators who bring your book to life.

Our Origins

Books are in our DNA.

Our family’s passion for books goes back four generations to 1950s South Africa, where the grandparents of our CEO, Jack Joseph (parents of co-owner Richard Joseph), founded Exclusive Books, a prominent bookstore chain. Exclusive Books became South Africa’s leading bookstore brand and earned acclaim for challenging Apartheid-era censorship by importing books that defied government restrictions.

Richard and his father later expanded into the UK, opening bookstores under Books Etc., which quickly became a beloved brand. After selling Books Etc. to Borders Books, Richard acquired Arcadia Publishing and moved to the United States in 2002. Jack joined the family business in 2012, helping grow the traditional publishing company over the next six years.

By 2018, Jack and Richard recognized self-publishing as the future of the industry. While traditional publishers must turn down far more books than they can accept, independent publishing empowers authors, giving every writer the opportunity to share their work.

Rapid Publishers is dedicated to providing authors with an unmatched self-publishing experience. In 2022, we proudly published thousands of new titles, staying true to our vision of keeping the publishing process author-focused and ensuring the creation of the best possible books.

Our Values

Author Centricity

We put our authors first in every decision we make. By actively listening to feedback and using it to improve our services, we strive to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional publishing experiences.

Honesty and Responsibility

We hold ourselves accountable for our actions and commitments. Acting with integrity and transparency, we communicate openly to build trust and foster a culture of honesty.

Continuous Improvement

We view challenges as opportunities to grow, both personally and professionally. By encouraging a culture of learning and sharing insights, we continually refine our processes to stay innovative and adaptable.

Valuing Everyone

We treat every individual with respect and consideration, welcoming diverse perspectives and ideas. Our inclusive environment fosters collaboration, empathy, and understanding at all levels.

Rejecting Mediocrity

We aim for excellence in everything we do. By setting high standards, we continuously seek ways to improve, innovate, and surpass ordinary performance, celebrating achievements that go above and beyond.

Taking Responsibility

We take ownership of our work and strive for excellence in every project. By proactively addressing problems and learning from mistakes, we create a culture of accountability, growth, and pride in our contributions to the organization’s success.

Our Journey

1951
Pam and Phillip Joseph founded Exclusive Books in South Africa. The brand quickly grew into the country’s #1 bookstore and became a prominent voice against Apartheid-era censorship.
1981
Philip and Richard Joseph launched Books Etc. in the UK. Like Exclusive Books, it grew into a beloved and highly popular bookstore chain.

Rapid Publishers In The Media

2018 BBB Torch Award

Recommended Publisher with
the Alliance of Independent
Authors (ALLi)

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