The founders of Orbex, a pioneering UK space rocket company, have ventured into a new frontier: science fiction publishing. Today marks the official launch of Factorial Books, a London-based digital publisher aiming to transform the traditional publishing process through speed, transparency, and fairness.
Factorial Books was founded by Chris Larmour, Martin Coates, and John May — entrepreneurs who played instrumental roles in developing Orbex from an aerospace concept into a private space technology venture now valued at over £220 million.
Bringing their startup agility and engineering rigor to the literary world, Factorial Books promises to streamline the journey from manuscript to market. The publisher emphasizes fast decision-making, promising authors a guaranteed five-day turnaround on submission evaluations, alongside a 50/50 net revenue share model that the founders say is one of the most equitable in the industry.
Operating from its Covent Garden headquarters, Factorial Books has assembled a team of seasoned sci-fi editors and cover designers, and is developing proprietary digital-first production workflows. These innovations aim to reduce time-to-market while maintaining high editorial standards, blending the precision of aerospace project management with creative publishing.
“Science fiction has often inspired space technology, and with Factorial Books, we want to return the favour,” said Chris Larmour, CEO of Factorial Books. “Our mission is to eliminate the unnecessary friction that holds back great manuscripts — from long waits and outdated processes to poor communication — replacing them with speed, clarity, and genuine partnership.”
Factorial Books has secured initial funding to support its first slate of releases, which will include eBooks, paperbacks, and audiobooks. The publisher plans to reveal its initial titles during 2025.
John May, Board Director at Factorial Books, added, “We’re not just publishing stories; we’re building a launchpad for the commercial success of the next generation of sci-fi authors. Our fair 50/50 revenue-sharing model, combined with an experienced editorial team and innovative marketing strategies, empowers authors and ensures success is shared equally.”
A Fairer Deal for Authors
At the core of Factorial Books’ commercial model is the conviction that authors deserve better terms. Unlike many traditional publishers, Factorial charges no fees, contributions, or hidden costs at any stage. Authors receive an equal share of net revenues, making the model notably generous in the current market.
“We’re all passionate sci-fi fans, and we deeply respect the authors who create incredible worlds and characters,” Larmour said. “No writer should endure months of uncertainty over the fate of their manuscript. We are eliminating the outdated ‘slush pile’ system and instead promise acquisition decisions within five days.”
Factorial Books also plans to focus heavily on marketing and promotion, aiming to spotlight undiscovered talents and transform promising manuscripts into global bestsellers.
“Somewhere out there are the next great sci-fi novels, hidden in files on laptops,” Larmour added. “We want to find those hidden gems and bring them to readers worldwide.”
Submissions are now open. Factorial Books welcomes full-length science fiction novels from all subgenres, including hard sci-fi, space opera, cyberpunk, and climate fiction — from both new and established authors, regardless of representation.
