Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Hughes
Hi Laura, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been passionate about writing fiction since high school, and I published my first book when I was 18. Over the years, I worked with several publishers, but each experience left me feeling disappointed in different ways. Sometimes, it was the lack of emotional investment on their part—I’d often feel more personally connected to the relationship than they did. I realized I needed a space where I could offer more support, understanding, and collaboration, both for myself as an author and for others in the same boat. That’s when I took a leap of faith and founded Stag Beetle Books in 2022.
I hold an MFA in Creative Writing and have spent the last two years working in marketing, crafting creative content and commercials for well-known chocolate companies, international singing groups, social media brands, and other businesses I’m under NDA with (though I’d love to share!). In addition to my publishing experience, I’ve written 14 books and published 7 of them over the past 11 years. I’ve also edited numerous books—both for publishers and self-published authors—helping many go on to successful publication.
My journey through the publishing world has given me a unique perspective on how to create a publishing company that’s truly author-focused. With Stag Beetle Books, I aim to build a community that feels like family, where authors are supported at every step and readers feel connected to the stories. I want to create a space where both authors and readers thrive, and I’m deeply invested in making that vision a reality.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but I’ve found a lot of joy in the journey, especially when I look at how far we’ve come and the lessons learned along the way. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced at Stag Beetle Books has been finding the right balance for cover art. At first, I was very cautious about using AI in any capacity. I wanted to support illustrators directly, so I paid for custom cover art, but this process came with its own challenges—contract issues, inconsistent quality, and sometimes receiving art that didn’t align with the vision I had. I worked with many different artists, and while some were fantastic, others didn’t deliver as expected, and I still had to pay for their work.
At one point, I paid well for custom artwork, only to find out that some of the covers were, in fact, AI-generated—something I hadn’t agreed to. That’s when I decided to dive deep into AI art—learning about its ethical considerations and how it could be used effectively. I soon realized that the most important aspect of cover art isn’t just the artist or the medium, but how well the cover serves as a marketing tool to attract readers. After all, cover art isn’t just about being visually appealing—it’s a key part of the story’s marketing, especially for a young adult audience.
When I began experimenting with AI-generated cover art, I saw something surprising: the books with AI covers actually sold better, had faster publishing timelines, and allowed us to reallocate more of the budget into promoting the books. In the end, this meant that my authors were making more money and getting their books to market faster, which is exactly what I want for them. The goal has always been to ensure that authors make the most from their hard work, and AI art has proven to be a highly effective tool for that.
The beauty of AI is that it allows us to customize covers in ways that feel fresh and tailored to the individual stories my authors have emotionally invested so much in. It helps us bring their vision to life in a way that feels authentic to their story, while still maintaining the appeal necessary to attract readers in a competitive market.
That said, we don’t rely solely on AI for cover art. When an author feels strongly opposed to using AI, we have an open conversation about their priorities. If necessary, we adjust the publishing timeline to ensure their vision is realized. The most important thing is that the author feels supported in the process and confident that their book is being marketed in the best possible way.
Ultimately, incorporating AI art into our process has been a key tool for creating customized, high-quality cover art that serves both the marketing needs of the book and the emotional connection the author has with their story. It’s been an invaluable part of the journey, and I’m committed to using it responsibly to help my authors succeed.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in helping authors bring their stories to life, from the creative process of writing to the fulfillment of holding their book in print. For me, the creation process is where the magic happens. I absolutely love the freedom of working with words and creating anything imaginable. Whether it’s refining a story during the editing process, collaborating with authors on cover art, or strategizing marketing campaigns, I find immense joy in the entire publishing journey.
I’m particularly passionate about helping authors realize their dream of holding their book in their hands and sharing it with friends, family, and readers. It’s so fulfilling to watch an author who was once unsure of whether anyone would want to read their story find their reader base and feel the pride of seeing their work appreciated. I’m proud to champion these amazing stories and give them the platform they deserve.
One of the things I’m most proud of is my own trilogy, Fate’s Inmate. I poured my heart into those books, and the audiobook has been a delight to listen to. Caleb Hafen, the narrator, did an exceptional job bringing the story to life. His talent really added a new layer to the experience, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with how it turned out.
As a publisher, what sets me apart is my dedication to my authors. I’m not just helping them get their books published; I’m a partner in the process. I understand how it feels to be unsure or hesitant about sharing your work with the world, and I’m proud to offer my support at every stage. I take personal joy in refining the stories with thoughtful edits, and it’s incredibly rewarding to read 5-star reviews from readers who connect with the stories I’ve helped bring into the world. Every success, big or small, feels like a shared victory, and I love seeing my authors flourish.
What truly sets Stag Beetle Books apart is that we take a very author-centric approach. It’s not just about getting books out there—it’s about championing those books, nurturing relationships with authors, and helping them succeed in ways that matter to them. I truly believe in every author I work with, and I’m committed to making their journey as fulfilling and successful as possible.
How do you think about luck?
I consider myself very lucky in many ways. For one, I have a supportive husband who believed in me enough to let me take the leap into starting Stag Beetle Books. His support and encouragement allowed me to invest in the business and pursue my dreams. I also feel fortunate to have had opportunities and experiences that helped shape the path I’m on today.
That said, I think luck plays a big role in the world of social media and publishing. A lot of success online comes down to what goes viral and less about sheer talent or strategy. It’s unpredictable, and sometimes it’s about being in the right place at the right time.
In terms of bad luck, I definitely had my fair share. My first publisher went under just a week after my first book released, which was a huge setback. Then, my second publisher stopped publishing young adult fiction right as I was trying to find my place in the market. On the surface, that all seemed like bad luck, but in hindsight, those experiences ended up being pivotal. They pushed me to create Stag Beetle Books, which has been the best thing to happen to me professionally. What initially felt like a series of unfortunate events turned out to be the perfect catalyst for the next step in my career.
I think how you perceive “bad luck” plays a huge role in how you move forward. It’s all about how you choose to react and adapt. I could’ve let those setbacks define me, but instead, they inspired me to create something new, something that felt more aligned with my vision. In the end, I’ve learned that sometimes what feels like bad luck can lead to amazing opportunities if you’re open to them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stagbeetlebooks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stagbeetlebooks/
