5 Indie Publishers You Should Know
Daunt Books Publishing
With titles inspired by their bookshops, Daunt Books Publishing came on my radar in 2020, when Brandon Taylor’s Real Life was shortlisted for the Booker.
They consistently publish books that feel fresh, plus they know how to make a cover that looks great on the shelf.
An extra shout out goes to this indie as I recently won a proof of Grace Lavery’s memoir Please Miss from them on Twitter. The book, which is out in February 2022, has already received praise from Carmen Maria Machado, Torrey Peters and Maggie Nelson, so it’s fair to say I’m excited.
Pluto Press
Want to ponder big issues, from class to climate change? Check out Pluto Press. Founded in 1969, the indie publisher focuses on radical, left-wing non-fiction.
Their Outspoken series, short books ‘platforming underrepresented voices [and] intervening in important political issues’, are both concise and enlightening.
I loved Lola Olufemi’s Feminism, Interrupted and next on my list is Behind Closed Doors by Natalie Fiennes, on transforming sex education.
Atlantic Books
A David to the big-name publishers’ Goliath, Atlantic Books punches way above its weight, especially when it comes to bestselling literary fiction.
Highlights from their list include Oyinkan Braithwaite’s My Sister, the Serial Killer, André Aciman’s Call Me By Your Name, Lot and Memorial by Brian Washington, Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians, Elaine Castillo’s America is Not the Heart…I could go on and on.
Atlantic Books prove that you don’t need to be one of the big players to score a commercial success.
Fitzcarraldo Editions
Although relatively new on the scene Fitzcarraldo Editions, founded in 2014, are rapidly becoming iconic. In a busy market their books stick out (in a good way), with uniform blue and white text-only covers, they seem designed to make you intrigued.
Fitzcarraldo Editions has built a reputation for publishing innovative contemporary fiction and long-from essays. On my to-read list is Ill Feelings, Alice Hattrick’s memoir/literary non-fiction debut on living with a medically unexplained illness.
The Indigo Press
Founded in 2018, The Indigo Press is the baby of this list, but don’t underestimate it. I discovered The Indigo Press when a bookseller at my beloved Mr B’s recommended Sam Mills’ Chauvo-Feminism to me while I was looking for a new feminist read.
The publisher focuses on contemporary fiction and non-fiction ‘guided by a spirit of internationalism, feminism and social justice’—which if you haven’t already guessed, is right up my alley.
Based on what they’ve achieved in the last three years, The Indigo Press is a growing indie to keep your eye on.