Direct licensing for authors, agents, and publishers

Fable Forge designs and manufactures book-inspired merchandise in our North Carolina studio. We license directly from authors, agents, and publishers, currently representing work for Carissa Broadbent, Ali Hazelwood, and Penn Cole. We sell through our storefront, conventions, select retail, and wholesale.

Start a conversation

Currently working with

Direct licensing relationships with the authors and studios shaping today's reading lists.

  • Carissa Broadbent

    • Crowns of Nyaxia

  • Ali Hazelwood

    • The Love Hypothesis
    • Bride
    • Mate
    • Check & Mate

  • Penn Cole

    • The Kindred's Curse Saga

Our approach to licensing

We prioritize thoughtful, brand-aligned design that reflects the identity of each author's work. Every licensed piece is created with care to ensure it feels authentic to the world and meaningful to readers. Our goal isn't to create merchandise — it's to create pieces readers are proud to display alongside the books that earned them.

What we make

Elevated, shelf-worthy collectibles designed to feel at home alongside curated book collections — decorative display pieces, character- and world-inspired accessories, and limited collector-edition drops. Design and production are fully in-house, with the flexibility to use whatever manufacturing methods a piece calls for.

How we reach readers

  • Direct-to-consumer

    Our own storefront and Etsy shop drive ongoing catalog sales to readers actively searching for licensed merchandise.

  • In-person events

    BookCon, ApollyCon, and other conventions, festivals, and signings. Convention-exclusive drops create scarcity and direct contact with your most engaged readers.

  • Select retail

    Brick-and-mortar partnerships with bookstores and gift shops that serve the literary community.

  • Wholesale

    Publishers, author personal shops, subscription boxes, and independent bookstores — distribution into channels readers already trust.

How our licenses work

Direct licenses. We license directly from the author, agent, or publisher. No sublicensing without written permission.

Royalty-based. Competitive rates by product category, paid on net wholesale and net sales. Specific rate set per deal.

Defined term. Typically one year with renewal options, plus a sell-off period at end of term for existing inventory. Open to negotiating longer terms.

Territory. Worldwide preferred; regional scopes available.

Approval built in. You approve designs before production. We can provide physical samples ahead of any launch on request.

What you can expect from us

  • Transparent reporting

    Quarterly sales reporting and royalty payments on a clear schedule.

  • A real point of contact

    One person you talk to, with responsive design reviews aligned to your publication calendar.

  • Professional quality

    Production-grade product quality backed by appropriate business insurance.

  • Respect for the IP

    No unauthorized designs, no use outside the agreed category, attribution across all channels.

Start a conversation

Tell us about your project — series, imprint, audience, what you're trying to bring into the world. Allison will respond within a few business days.