Introducing Dreamfield Press

A new traditional publisher not bound by tradition

Who doesn’t love a good story?

When Thomas G. Fiffer and Julia L. Bobkoff first met on the Yale campus in the summer of 1985, the attraction was instantaneous. Not just to each other, but to the values and dreams they shared—a passionate love of the written word, a fire to write and work with writers in print (both) and on screen (Julia), and the goal of leaving a lasting creative legacy.

As is often the case, life intervened.

After a few years of long-distance dating (Tom in Chicago, Julia in New York), the two went their separate ways, forging separate lives. They lost touch with each other—for 18 years—but never lost the memories of the magic they had shared, nor the dream they had so long ago embraced.

Ironically, it was through writing that the two found their way back to each other. Tom was publishing a daily blog about his failed dysfunctional marriage, and Julia (unbeknownst to him) was his most ardent reader. Tom posted a short story, one he had shared with Julia way back when. He asked for feedback. She made a comment. He responded, “Is this the Julia . . .?” although he already knew.

Tom was involved in live storytelling at the time and invited Julia to one of his performances. You can watch the story here:

The reconnection gradually unfolded, and separate lives grew increasingly intertwined.

A vision was formed. A “re-vision,” if you will. A new take on the original. After a 20-year career in business information publishing, Tom had gone freelance—writing, editing, self-publishing, and teaching at a local writers workshop. Julia had gone on to NYU’s graduate directing program, left to raise a family, and continued to write screenplays and build a deep network of Hollywood connections.

With Julia back in Tom’s life, they decided to open their own workshop, just before COVID shut down in-person gatherings. They went ahead—on Zoom—and built an international community of aspiring writers. They edited. They helped with self-publishing. Julia began a novel, wrote more scripts, co-wrote a memoir, and adapted books for the screen.

Then they started a hybrid publisher, Christmas Lake Press, releasing 30 titles over five years. When an author asked them for representation instead of a publishing contract, they formed an agency, Christmas Lake Literary.

And now the next chapter . . .

. . . a new traditional publishing venture—Dreamfield Press.

Imagine a publisher that dreams big while devoting concierge-like attention to every detail and involving authors in decisions every step of the way.

Imagine a publisher that cares about your dreams, whether you’re just launching your first book or capping off your literary legacy.

Imagine a publisher with an eye for the undiscovered, a willingness to take risks, and a curiosity that spans the globe.

And imagine a publisher that can make those dreams play out in print, in audio, and on the screen.

This is publishing reimagined.

This is Dreamfield Press.

"We've always tried to meet authors where they are and take them where they want to be," says Tom. "Now is the right time to expand our presence and offer a new pathway with more prestige to bring authors the attention and success they deserve."

Says Julia, whose background is in film directing and screenwriting, "Every book is evaluated with an eye towards screen potential, and Dreamfield striking a first-look deal with a studio, production company, or streaming service would bring the whole vision together."

The founders describe Dreamfield as "a new traditional publisher not bound by tradition," as the company intends stay small and agile and is looking to pioneer innovative ways to bring compelling content to audiences in a variety of forms. Says Tom, who got a taste of traditional publishing at Random House in the late '80s and early '90s, "Publishing isn't dead. Publishing isn't broken. Publishing just needs to be reimagined. Enter Dreamfield Press."

Julia and Tom have lined up a diverse and eclectic inaugural list of talented debut authors set to enter the scene with a bang.

Meet our authors

Joseph Coulson—THE PRINCE OF MEMPHIS—is a novelist, poet, playwright, and teacher. His published books include The Vanishing Moon (Book of the Year Award, Gold Medal in Literary Fiction, ForeWord Magazine) and Of Song and Water (finalist for the Great Lakes Book Award).

THE PRINCE OF MEMPHIS is a brightly imaginative novel grounded in pop culture, laced with dark humor, and propelled by musical prose. Aron Beale is the unacknowledged son of Elvis Presley, and his plans to publish a revealing memoir bring out lawyers, religious fanatics, and death threats to silence him. But a serendipitous love affair, sparked by his own, decades old chart-topping song, gives Aron the resolve to confront his past and the surreal predicament of an absent father who is endlessly present.

Brian W. Thomas—MANCHILD AT YALE—is an Emmy-winning actor, writer, and educator whose work examines identity and transformation. A Yale graduate and longtime school leader, he appeared as Robert in A Different World and created the Emmy-winning Fastbreak to Glory: The Du Sable Panthers Story.

MANCHILD AT YALE is a coming-of-age novel set at Yale exploring the challenges faced by a Black student from a working-class Chicago background as he strives to find his identity and place within a world of elite institutions and complex opportunity.

Jessica Pappas—THE HALF I KEEP—is a memoirist and screenwriter who runs a Hollywood casting agency. She divides her time between Los Angeles and Greece.

THE HALF I KEEP is a deeply moving, vibrantly rendered memoir in which the author—left to raise herself while her charismatic me-generation parents “find themselves”—bravely wrestles with a past haunted by secrets, looks for love in all the wrong places, and finally comes full circle to find home.

Gabriel Olearnik—LONDONING—was born and educated in London, where he studied medieval history. His writing has appeared in The San Diego Reader, Dappled Things, and Radiance. Three of his poems—“The Builders,” “Languedoc,” and “An English Apocalypse”—have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize.

LONDONING is a collection of micro-stories and poetry that explores the North: Canada, Poland, and the shadow country in between, where memory, myth, and imagination meet.

Loree Sandler—LET THEM EAT CANDLES—revolutionized a product category by reimagining traditional wax birthday candles as edible chocolate treats. In the process she transformed herself from stay-at-home mom to entrepreneur. Her debut business memoir documents her journey from concept to store countertops to reality TV.

LET THEM EAT CANDLES takes readers on a multi-layered journey as the author evolves from full-time parent to fledgling professional, with more than a little help from family, friends, and the village she builds along the way. Edible candles turn out to be (surprise!) no piece of cake, but the journey culminates in real (and reality television) success.

Julia and Tom will continue to operate Christmas Lake Press and Christmas Lake Literary separately from Dreamfield.

Dreamfield Press is currently accepting submissions for the 2027-2028 season.

For more information, visit dreamfieldpress.com.