Strong Girl Publishing makes athletically-oriented books + content for girls and young women, created by women athletes.
At Strong Girl Publishing, we’re here to help girls see themselves in sport and outdoor adventure, inspiring them to try new activities by creating engaging stories around girls in sport, through books. We've also carved out a space for young women athletes who are looking for a platform to share their voices.
Our athlete authors aren’t just great at their sports: We celebrate girls and women as multifaceted individuals who don’t fit into any one box. We don't believe that girls or women should ever have to choose being an athlete at the cost of any other part of their being. Our readers and our authors are strong women, but not just physically.
She can be anything: She can be into punk rock and want to PR her 5K. She can love fashion while figuring out how to get grass stains out of her soccer uniform. She can read books on the team bus instead of being part of the singalong, or she can be the one who starts up the Sweet Caroline moment. She can wear mascara on the start line—for herself, not for anyone else.
We believe that every girl and woman contains multitudes, and every girl and woman can tap into her inner athlete, on and off the playing field.
We’ve been featured in: Outside Magazine, Gear Junkie, Women's Running, Bicycling magazine, Canadian Cycling Magazine, Fast & Female, SubKit
Why do we need Strong Girl Publishing?
Girls drop out of sport for many reasons. This leads to lowered self-esteem along with health problems that can stem from inactivity.
Last year, 57% of American youth ages 3-17 rode a bicycle. From ages 3-9, boys and girls ride at same rate, but at 10, there’s a significant drop off for girls. By the age of 14, girls drop out of sports at 2x the boys' rate.
7 in 10 girls who quit sports during puberty said they didn’t feel like they belonged in sports, according to the survey of more than 1,000 girls ages 16 to 24.
Studies have shown that girls will embrace more traditionally “boy” activities when presented with images that show other girls engaging in them.
That's where Strong Girl Publishing comes in: Girls deserve to see themselves in books about sport. They need to see themselves in sport.
In publishing, there is a space in the market for smart books about girls in different facets of sport—both in terms of books where sport is the primary topic, and books where sport is simply a natural part of the narrative.
Traditional publishers still don't see this space as one that is viable commercially.
We strongly disagree. And we're going to prove it.
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Who are our authors?
Our mission is to create a space for young women athletes who are looking for a platform to share their voices. Young women who have great ideas for books, planners, and other creative endeavors but need help bringing these ideas into existence.
We believe that young women athletes are perfectly positioned to share authentic, real experiences—often through fiction!—in a way that an author who hasn't been there simply cannot.
These young women are often working side jobs to keep their athletic dreams alive, or they're fully focused on their athletic careers, and publishing their work will provide them with another revenue stream to essentially sponsor themselves. Despite being a tiny company, getting profits into author's wallets is much more important to us than growing our bottom line. That's why, compared to other publishing companies, we offer higher royalty rates to our authors because we know just how hard they work on and off the field and we want to help be a part of their success. As a longtime author herself, founder Molly Hurford is aware of how hard it is to make money writing books, and wanted to make sure that her authors are taken care of. When you’re writing with Strong Girl Publishing, you’re not just an author or a product. You’re supported with friendship, with mentorship, with whatever you need in the process.
Have a question? Get in touch!
Reviews
"This feel-good sports book all about girl power emphasizes strong friendship, not making assumptions, and putting yourself out there. Lindsay's journey in finding her own style and doing things that scare her will inspire any young reader." --Kristina Pino, Booklist
“This book was a wonderful read. It made me laugh out loud a lot, I was able to relate to Lindsay a lot and she was a likable character throughout the story. I learned that when you are confident and believe in yourself, you can achieve anything.” -Beyond the Books
"Hurford offers readers a fun and informative story about girls in sports. The characters are multilayered and the relationships are authentic…This is a fun and action-packed story about being true to oneself, sports, family, and the importance of friendship. A recommended purchase for middle grade collections.” Reviewed by Jess Gafkowitz, Brooklyn P.L , Jul 10, 2020 for the School Library Journal
"I was stoked, yes, stoked to delve into Shred Girls, hoping it would be something I could recommend to or read to my daughter when she's old enough. Now, I plan to do just that. Still, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the book to a young boy. Riding is riding. Struggling with learning who you are and making friends are universal." -Matt Pioro, Canadian Cycling Magazine
"If you’re looking for a good read with a Girl Power theme, here are two books from cycling authors with great messages for any cyclist, young or old. Shred Girls: Jen’s Bumpy Ride is the third installation in author Molly Hurford’s series. In it, the main character Jen has to choose between staying on the Shred Girls team and having fun and adventures or joining the local cycling team to get faster. She heads out on a bikepacking trip with her friends to mull it over and determine the fate of their club as they explore backroads and campgrounds, and more.” -BikeRumor
Our Land Acknowledgment
Strong Girl Publishing is located in Collingwood, Ontario. We would like to respectfully acknowledge and recognize our responsibility to the original and current caretakers of this land, water, and air. We are situated on lands that were first developed by and cared for by Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, and Ojibwe people. This acknowledgment was written with an understanding that we are still learning.We are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on this land.
Disclaimer
The content provided by Strong Girl Publishing is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical, nutrition, or fitness advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional, registered dietitian, or certified fitness professional before making changes to your health, training, or nutrition routines.
Participation in any activities described is at your own risk. Strong Girl Publishing and its authors are not responsible for any injuries, losses, or damages that may occur as a result of using this information.