The Origin of the Name Wheatmark

"Where does the name Wheatmark come from? What does it mean?"

We hear these questions often about the origin of our name as we daily talk to writers about publishing a book. They all seem to love the name Wheatmark, but they don't understand what a book publishing company based in dry, cactus-covered Tucson, Arizona, would have to do with ... wheat.

Heat maybe, but wheat?

Well, when we picked the name, we probably considered Heatmark as well, but someone with slightly more common sense than the one who proposed it must have voted it down.

Anyway, authors tell me they think of Kansas or Nebraska when they hear the name Wheatmark, not Arizona. That's because they don't know the true origin of the word wheatmark and its rich, historic connection to the West.

Here it goes ...

Before I get into it though, I must tell you the true origin of the origin of the word wheatmark. We have struggled with the etymology ourselves until we started hiring for a new publishing position that opened up earlier in 2008. During one particular interview the candidate asked about the company name's origin. We joked we had been doing the research ourselves to no avail. We left it at that.

The next day we received thank-you notes from the candidates. One in particular, from Patrick Burns (master of fine arts in writing!), ended with his own fictional rendition of where the name Wheatmark came from.

So here it goes:

When books were first made out West, the pages were composed of a pulp of part wood, part wheat. Wheat was a luxury then so that books with a high "wheatmark" were considered of great value.

Did you hear that? Out West, books with a high wheatmark were considered of great value! Hence the connection between the name Wheatmark, Arizona, and quality books!

Do you think we hired the candidate? Why don't you find out by calling 1-888-934-0888? (Ask for Mr. Burns.)