City Owl Press Expands Urban Fantasy Catalog Amid Surge in Digital Genre Fiction Sales

New York, NY, June 7, 2025 – In 2025, as digital reading continues to rise, a boutique publishing house is strategically capitalizing on the surging popularity of genre fiction. City Owl Press, an independent publisher known for its romance and speculative fiction titles, is expanding its Urban Fantasy catalog to solidify its position in the digital genre fiction market.
Established in 2014 in New York, City Owl Press has gained recognition for combining traditional publishing standards with the flexibility of a boutique press. With an expanding list of authors and a wider range of genres, the press is using its unique hybrid model to meet reader demands and market trends.
Tina Moss, co-founder and editorial director at City Owl Press, stated, “Urban fantasy has always been a core part of our speculative fiction offerings. The current global interest in immersive, character-driven fantasy stories grounded in real-world settings is driving our expansion. We are dedicated to offering diverse, dynamic, and commercially viable titles in this genre.”
Urban Fantasy: A Growing Trend in Digital Fiction
Urban fantasy has experienced a notable resurgence in the past two years, partly due to platforms like Kindle Unlimited, TikTok’s #BookTok community, and the growth of audiobooks. A report from BookNet USA and BISG in 2025 revealed that eBook sales of urban and paranormal fantasy titles have increased by over 30% year-over-year, with younger millennial and Gen Z readers fueling this trend.
City Owl Press is responding to this shift by not only acquiring more urban fantasy titles but also launching new sub-imprints and author spotlights to nurture talent in this genre. The expansion includes:

– Over 10 new urban fantasy titles set for release in the next 18 months
– Emphasis on diverse protagonists, queer narratives, and multicultural magical systems
– Serialized digital releases tailored for binge-reading audiences
– Increased investment in audiobook production for key urban fantasy titles

A Track Record of Excellence in Genres
City Owl Press is known for nurturing author careers across various speculative subgenres. Their catalog features bestselling series in paranormal romance, romantic suspense, sci-fi romance, and now, increasingly, cross-genre urban fantasy.
Notable author successes include:

– Tracey Martin’s “Miss Misery” series
– B. Sieders’ “Jinx McGee” series
– Seth Skorkowsky’s “Ashes of Onyx”

Rachel Rawlings, a longtime urban fantasy author with City Owl, praised the publisher for their genuine partnership with authors and their support in telling authentic and powerful stories.
Success Driven by Digital-First Strategy
At the core of this expansion is City Owl’s digital-first publishing approach, allowing for flexible production, global distribution, and quicker time-to-market. Backed by Simon & Schuster for distribution, the press has a strong presence on platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Apple Books.
City Owl’s team collaborates with authors on editing, release planning, and marketing campaigns. Their model includes:

– Publishing in multiple formats: eBooks, paperbacks, audiobooks
– Data-driven release strategies targeting optimal seasons and platforms
– Strong metadata optimization for visibility
– Active engagement with online communities such as #BookTok, Goodreads, and Facebook reading groups

Yelena Casale, co-founder of City Owl, emphasized their focus on smart publishing by using data, community insights, and quality editorial work to highlight the best of urban fantasy.
Global Reach with Local Commitment
While headquartered in New York, City Owl’s authors come from around the world, and their titles are read in numerous countries. The upcoming urban fantasy expansion features voices from the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Australia, with a growing interest in translations and international distribution.
The publisher’s author-focused approach sets them apart, as they remain open to un-agented submissions in niche and emerging subgenres like mythpunk, magical realism, and culturally specific urban fantasy.
Debut author H.D. Locke, whose book “The Djinn & The District” combines Middle Eastern mythology with noir detective fiction, praised City Owl for treating authors as partners rather than products.
Looking Forward
City Owl Press will officially launch its urban fantasy expansion this summer, with marketing campaigns across social media, digital reading platforms, and independent review channels. A virtual event series, City Owl Nights: Urban Fantasy Author Talks, is scheduled for late Q3 2025 to showcase their growing roster of genre writers.
For readers seeking enchantment and excitement in every page, City Owl’s expanded urban fantasy line promises captivating stories, diverse voices, and memorable worlds.