Though large, traditional publishing houses have adjusted to
contemporary trends in book publishing and continue to make substantial money
in the industry (80% of the market share by last count), more and more authors
are choosing to keep control of their projects by seeking out independent press
houses to create and distribute their works.
In 2014, a quarter of the top 100 books sold on Amazon were
indie-published,
and small press book releases exponentially outpaced the goliaths.
Organizations such as the
Independent
Book Publishers Association (IBPA) have legitimized small press runs,
helping to shift authors away from the stigmatic label of ‘settling’ for what once were considered variations on vanity
presses. Independent publishers continue to produce quality titles by keeping
printing costs down (and therefore making them more accessible to cash-strapped
authors), and by focusing on providing personalized support throughout the
manuscript’s realization process. The right indie press house can produce a
high quality product that looks every bit as professional as a traditional
Fifth Avenue publishing conglomerate when placing releases on bookstore shelves.
Consider these few factors when choosing an independent publisher:
- How costs are assigned and calculated
- Does the publisher provide distribution
- What control does an author have over marketing
- When will the rights revert back to the author
- Is the publisher a reliable partner
By investigating these starting questions, you can begin to determine if the small, independent print house is right for you.
To celebrate the indomitable determination of authors across
the globe, we have begun putting together our list of top quality independent presses, starting with 9 of our favorite independent publishing houses, each recognized as leaders in their niche. If you are interested in contacting any of those showcased below for a project, be sure to click the header link for each publishing house and read through their materials
before submitting queries or manuscripts. Who knows – maybe one of these houses
will be your next publisher.
Founded in 2000 and located in Easthampton, Massachusetts, Small
Beer Press produces a quality selection of 6-10 ‘slightly weird’ fiction
projects a year, including releases under Big Mouth House and Peapod Classics.
Past printings have included Joan Aiken’s People
in the Castle, Eileen Gunn’s short story collection Questionable Practices, and Sean Stewart’s Perfect Circle, as well as respected translations such as Angelica
Gorodischer’s Prodigies. For authors
interested in working with Small Beer Press, the publishing house requests a
mailed letter of inquiry with the first 10-20 pages of the manuscript, as well
as a familiarity with the genres the press traditionally works with.
Located in Minneapolis, Graywolf Press covers the gamut of
small press potential with Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry. Recent projects include
Maggie Nelson’s The Red Parts,
Sjohanna McCray’s Rapture, and John
D’Agata’s The Making of the American Essay. Graywolf takes on roughly 30
projects a year, all falling within solid literary perspectives. What makes
Graywolf stand out is that often many of the authors they publish are discovered by
the editors through magazines and writer’s conferences. The press takes
publishing for art’s sake seriously, and to defend against the larger
publishing house mentality of profit over quality, Graywolf is a 501(c)3
non-profit.
Also based in the great city of Minneapolis, Milkweed Editions
strives, and excels, in the arena of transformative literature. Covering the
independent spread from fiction to YA, books sent to press are selectively
chosen on their ability to change how readers interact with print. Milkweed has
published books by Marilyn Chin (The Terrance Empty), William Peden Prize
winner Murray Farish (Inappropriate Behavior), and Eric Gansworth (Extra
Indians). Milkweed is a non-profit press, putting out 15-20 books a year, and
is happy to accept unsolicited manuscripts with the caveat that authors become
familiar with the presses style by reviewing previously published works.
Founded in 1854, Beacon Press is a leader in publishing
independent voices in serious non-fiction arenas, including race, religion, and
diversity. With an impressive authors list including James Baldwin, Herbert
Marcuse, and poet Mary Oliver, Beacon strives to bring social change through
the medium of print. Authors wishing to have works considered by Beacon Press
should email a 250 word query with synopsis through the submission channels.
With a mailing address in NYC’s Grand Central Station, 2
Leaf Press lives the mission its founders envisioned – publishing down and
dirty, decidedly non-commercial books in poetry, prose, and everything thrown
in-between. Established as a non-profit print house, 2 Leaf leaves the politics
of publishing behind to put out street worthy voices that demand to be heard.
Authors that have published with the press include poet Claire Millikin, Ana
Rosetti, and playwright Shirley Bradley LeFlore. 2LP is pleased to accept
submissions that fit their mission through their online submission form.
One of our favorite small presses, Bauhan
Publishing is located in the great state of New Hampshire, and focuses on
regional New England subjects in history, art, nature studies, and poetry, with
ventures into significant explorations of sustainability of the earth and human
spirit. Titles published by Bauhan include Willem Lange’s Words from the Wild, Gordon Russell’s Watching Great Meadow, and the provocative Rust Belt Boy from Paul Hertneky. Bauhan Publishing focuses on the
craftsmanship of books, providing well-designed tomes on high quality paper
with eye-catching covers. Authors interested in working with Bauhan should
review the information on their website.
Another highly respected staple of small
New England presses, David Godine Publishing stresses, perhaps more than any other independent press, the fine art of book
making. With offerings ranging from cutting edge fiction to world-class
translations, Godine prints out of Boston, Massachusetts with a keen eye toward
quality. The press also has a substantial shelf-presence thanks to a hearty
reprint philosophy, with authors such as Peter Akerman, Robert Musil, and Heidi
Seely calling the publishing house home. The indie press imprints between 20 and 30
titles per year, and accepts agent-initiated queries and proposals.
Red Adept Publishing does one thing, and
does it very well – fiction. Whether it be fantasy, horror, literary fiction, or any
variety of genres in between. Red Adept keeps their formula simple by strictly
adhering to their submission policy – they do not accept query letters, but
allow for submissions at any time through their online form. RAP has published
an impressive list of solid writers, including They Call Me Crazy author, Kelly Stone Gamble.
Founded in 2005, Two Dollar Radio
produces some of the freshest voices in print this side of Ohio. In fact, it is
in Columbus where the boutique press deals mostly in fiction, but strays into
memoirs and essay collections when the spirit catches them. Two Dollar Radio
has published works by such notables as Colin Winnette, Jeff Jackson, and
Karolina Waclawiak, and seeks amazing voices that resound to a discerning audience
of literary explorers. Submissions are via online, and are requested to be full
manuscripts. The editors request patience from authors due to the large amount
of submissions and careful review each project receives.
To learn more about the changing world of independent publishing, entrepreneurial marketing for small businesses, and what makes a successful artist, please subscribe to the Spotlight Publicity blog. To go one better, feel free to contact us for a free, no-pressure consultation on your project - we want to work with you to reach your goals.
Chances are, the thought of using Instagram as a business networking application hasn't crossed your mind. There's no shame in that - very few practiced users of the popular social app apply its potential toward their professional projects. By providing creative and interesting content that engages readers, an Instagram account can be just as effective as a 30 second commercial on network television. The focus should be on originality and eye appeal, drawing on the strength already inherent in the application. Pairing this with short and punchy copy can capture the imagination of your followers, transmit your message, and prompt them to interact.
On the screen asking you to tag people, or add your location is a selection of five social media platforms outside of Instagram's control that you can post to. These are Facebook, Tumblr, Flickr, Swarm, and the inevitable Twitter. Simply activate the platforms you wish to share with and your message will be forwarded to those accounts. Be wary, however, as the one fault on this sharing is that those social media platforms will not post exactly the same way - though Twitter will post your message, it will do so as a link back to Instagram in order to see your image, meaning your audience will need to actively engage in order to see your full message.
