Four decades into a successful career as a journalist, editor, teacher, and best-selling author, Carl Vigeland became a publisher with the creation of Combray House Books in 2019. Specializing in first novels, memoir, and topical non-fiction, Combray House has quickly grown into the literary home of more than twenty authors. Carl brings a curatorial commitment to publishing, shaped by his experience as both writer and educator. He and his team work passionately to produce carefully edited, beautifully designed hardcover, paperback, and digital books.

What began as a personal project rooted in a love of storytelling has evolved into a vibrant independent press committed to authentic voices and meaningful narratives. At Combray House, we believe publishing should be collaborative and thoughtful, with each book reflecting a deep respect for craft, clarity, and connection. From manuscript to finished product, we support our authors with care, building a creative community that values literary excellence and the enduring power of the written word.

The name Combray House is inspired by Marcel Proust’s fictional town of Combray, the setting of the opening scenes in In Search of Lost Time. Though imagined, Combray draws deeply from Proust’s memories of Illiers, his father’s hometown—which, in a rare case of life imitating art, was renamed Illiers-Combray in 1971 to honor the author.