Out shopping for a book? Most of us head to Barnes & Noble. Shopping around for someone to publish your latest work in progress? Many have their sights set on the Big Five Publishers. These are all tried and true options. But step away from the big names and you will discover a world of spectacular indie publishers putting out books from all kinds of niches. Indie publishers are breaking boundaries and paving the way for book publishing in the future. These are just eight of those publishers that every avid reader should know.
Cipher Press
Cipher Press is an independent publisher based out of the UK. Its focus is on LGBTQIA+ authors and their stories, both fiction and nonfiction. The three minds behind the press, all identifying as queer themselves, started the project with the hopes of filling a gap in the industry. They are passionate about championing queer and trans-identified voices of all kinds and making the publishing industry more inclusive at every level. Cipher Press’s catalog includes everything from short fiction collections to poignant memoirs and grueling thrillers. One notable novel in the publisher’s collection is Nettleback by Nat Reeve. This is a crime-filled, boundary-breaking novel set in 1893 that challenges ideas of queer and trans identities.
Granta Books
Perhaps one of the more well-known indie publishers on this list, Granta Books has made a name for themselves by publishing authors like Han Kang, Mariana Enriquez, and Yoko Tawada. These authors’ works have won numerous awards and made bestselling lists again and again. Notably, The Vegetarian by Han Kang recently won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. Overall, thirty-one Nobel Prize winners have been published by Granta. Granta specializes in literary fiction, as well as memoirs and poetry. Alongside the press, Granta magazine publishes new fiction and nonfiction regularly.
Charco Press
If you’ve been looking to add more Latin American authors to your shelves, check out Charco Press. The team at Charco brings contemporary Latin American voices to the masses. Their catalog is full of unique stories from new voices across Latin America. Julia Alvarez is one author published by Charco. Known for her novel, In the Time of Butterflies, her more recent release, The Cemetery of Untold Stories was published by Charco and made a big splash in the book world. Another prolific author backed by this publisher is Claudia Piñeiro. Piñeiro’s notable novels include Time of the Flies and A Little Luck.
Catapult Books
The next indie publisher on this list might be familiar to those who follow Electric Literature. Created by the same founders, Catapult publishes literary fiction and artful narrative nonfiction. The team’s ethos is based on the concept of a Perception Box. In short, the idea is that our experience of reality is subjective, colored by our past experiences and our beliefs. Catapult aims to expand readers’ perception boxes by introducing them to a diverse range of authors and stories, connecting people from all backgrounds.
Graywolf Press
Another press amplifying diverse, often underrepresented voices, is Graywolf Press. Graywolf publishes all kinds of work, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. This publisher has been around since the 70s and has since received numerous awards, both as an organization and for the works published under its name. Some of Graywolf’s novels have received awards such as the Nobel Prize for Literature and the Man Booker Prize. Notable authors include Kapka Kassabova, Yuri Herrera, and Danez Smith.
Sweet Cherry Publishing
No indie publishers list would be complete without a press dedicated to children’s books. Too often left to the wayside, children’s books are the heart and soul of the industry. After all, how many avid readers were once just kids, discovering their love for stories? Sweet Cherry Publishing recognizes the importance of inspiring a love for reading early on and wants to make sure every child gets this experience. Sweet Cherry’s mission was inspired by the low literacy and high poverty rates in the founder’s hometown of Leicester. The team is making a change by providing language and price-accessible books to children in Britain and around the world.
404 Ink
Last but not least, 404 Ink was founded by and is still run by a modest two-woman team. This is one of the most unique independent publishers around. They are committed to helping new authors find a place for themselves and their stories in an industry that can be unforgiving. They go so far as to have an industry FAQs section on their website to guide prospects on industry basics. 404 Ink’s publishing perspective is based on quality over quantity and their catalog is brimming with personality. Some of their more interesting books are “Inklings” which are small non-fiction titles focused on almost any topic you could imagine. Some previous topics have included analyses of female friendships, queer takes on Greek myths, and grief across cultures.
