Most readers are familiar with the big publishing houses, like Penguin Random House and HarperCollins, but there are thousands of independent, smaller presses in the US and abroad committed to publishing diverse and debut voices, unconventional narratives, and works in translation, as well as hosting workshops and community programs. In honor of National Small Press Month, and with no small amount of hand-wringing — there are so many excellent choices — we present 24 of our favorite indie presses.
McSweeney's
McSweeney’s is a nonprofit publishing company based in San Francisco. In addition to operating a (truly hilarious) humor site, McSweeney’s publishes a quarterly journal and several books a year, with a focus on unconventional and ambitious new writing. Recent offerings include A Load of Hooey, Sorry to Disrupt the Peace, and White Girls.
Grove Atlantic
This venerable small press began in 1917 as the Atlantic Monthly Press, merging much later with the small but groundbreaking Grove Press to become Grove Atlantic. The press publishes four imprints, Grove Press, Atlantic Monthly Press, Black Cat, and The Mysterious Press, and has many award-winning authors and titles to its credit. Recent offerings include History of Wolves, Freshwater, and Hotel Silence.
Counterpoint Press
Founded in 1994, Counterpoint publishes Counterpoint and Soft Skull Press. Counterpoint’s books run the gamut from literary fiction to graphic novels and philosophy, but are unified by the press’s focus on literary voice and cutting-edge themes and forms. Recent offerings include Heart Berries, Gifted, and The Job of the Wasp.
Microcosm Publishing
According to its website, “Microcosm is a vertically integrated publishing house that equips readers to make positive changes in their lives and in the world around them.” Microcosm’s emphasis on DIY, bicycling, and social justice helps to make it one of our customers’ favorite publishers. Recent offerings include Make Your Place, This Is Portland, and Unf#ck Your Brain.
Akashic Books
Akashic’s slogan is “Reverse-gentrification of the literary world.” A Brooklyn-based press, its focus is on urban literary fiction and political nonfiction, as well as authors disinterested in or ignored by mainstream media and publishers. Recent offerings include An Unkindness of Ghosts, Go the F**k to Sleep, and Havana Libre.
Catapult
Catapult, which launched in 2015, is committed to celebrating life in all its guises through extraordinary storytelling in fiction and nonfiction forms, including short stories and graphic novels. Recent offerings include Edisto, Large Animals, and The Middlepause.
Milkweed Editions
Milkweed Editions "seeks to be a site of metamorphosis in the literary ecosystem." A nonprofit that focuses on debut and experimental writers, Milkweed publishes literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for young readers and adults. Recent offerings include Four Reincarnations, The Orange Grove, and Island Home.