My favourite Independent Irish Publishers for #ReadIndies!
With Reading Ireland Month just around the corner, I thought I would take part in Karen and Liz’ brilliant Reading Independent Publisher’s Month initiative by celebrating my favourite independent Irish publishers!
NO ALIBIS PRESS
No Alibis Press is relatively new to the Irish publishing scene, but David Torrens and his team have over twenty years of book-selling experience as the brilliant No Alibis Bookstore! Since their launch in 2018, No Alibis Press has published books by Ian Sansom and Declan Burke, as well as the short story collection Still Worlds Turning, edited by June Caldwell.
Our mission: to find extraordinary novels with a strong voice that aren’t afraid to be themselves, get them suited and booted and unleash them on the book-devouring public.
Forthcoming titles: Seed by Joanna Walsh (June 2021)
TRAMP PRESS
Tramp Press was launched by Lisa Coen and Sarah Davis-Goff in 2014 to find, nurture and publish exceptional literary talent. In 2019 they were joined by Laura Waddell in the role of UK Publishing Director. Tramp is based in Ireland and Scotland, and publishes internationally. They have had some exceptional success in the last six years, publishing three Irish Books of the Year including Mike McCormack’s Solar Bones, Emilie Pine’s Notes to Self and Doireann Ní Ghríofa’s exquisite A Ghost in the Throat.
Their Recovered Voices series is committed to rescuing and recovering forgotten literature, and to re-engaging with those writers whose work is still valuable, relevant and brilliant. To date they have republished the work of Dorothy McArdle, Charlotte Riddell and Maeve Kelly.
Forthcoming titles: Corpsing: My Body and Other Horror Stories by Sophie White and Line by Niall Burke.
TURNPIKE BOOKS
Turnpike Books publishes a series of Northern Ireland literature’s most neglected authors such as Ian Cochrane, St John Ervine and Janet McNeill alongside acclaimed writers such as Benedict Kiely. They have single handedly brought about a resurgence of interest in the work of Janet McNeill and have recently published the first collection of Brian Moore’s short stories.
They also publish a series of the selected short stories of the major English writers of the twentieth-century, beginning with the stories of A.E. Coppard, J.B. Priestley and V.S. Pritchett. Their most recent publication is Barbara Comyns novel Little Fox.
Forthcoming titles: The House of Dolls by Barbara Comyns
THE STINGING FLY PRESS
The Stinging Fly magazine was established in 1997 to seek out, publish and promote the very best new Irish and international writing. Since then it has flourished as a breeding ground for the best new Irish writing and has been edited by Thomas Morris, Danny Denton and Sally Rooney.
The Stinging Fly Press launched as an off-shoot from the magazine in May 2005 with the publication of our first title, Watermark by Sean O’Reilly. Like the magazine, the imprint is particularly interested in promoting the short story. In the last 15 years they have published work by Kevin Barry, Wendy Erskine, Colin Barrett and Danielle McLaughlin as well as re-issuing two books by the great Maeve Brennan.
Forthcoming books: Trouble by Philip O Ceallaigh
SKEIN PRESS
Skein Press is another relatively new publisher on the Irish scene established in June 2017 to publish writers whose work is fresh and thought-provoking and features outlooks and experiences not often represented in Irish publishing.
Since they began, they have published the highly acclaimed This Hostel Life by Melatu Uche Okorie, which tells the hidden stories of migrant women in Ireland and Why The Moon Travels, a beautiful collection of stories from the oral tradition of the Traveller community in Ireland by Oein DeBhairduin.
Forthcoming titles: Unsettled by Rosaleen McDonagh
Have you read any books from these great publishers? Let me know in the comments.
The 746 #readindies independent publishers no alibis press skein press stinging fly press tramp press turnpike books
Cathy746books View All →
I am a 40 something book buying addict trying to reduce the backlog one book at a time!
You mention five of my favorites: Kevin Barry, Maeve Brennan, Barbara Comyns, Mike McCormack, and V. S. Pritchett.
I am one of those who does not pay much attention to publishers.
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I generally don’t either but these guys are all great so I now do keep an eye out to see what they are publishing.
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So many enticing books! I read Show them a Good Time and loved it. I have Sweet Home and plan to read it in March. And I’ve ordered A Ghost in the Throat.
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Sweet Home is one of the best collections I’ve read in years. I hope you enjoy it.
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Lovely post, and some gorgeous looking books there. I have read a few books from Turnpike and have just bought that collection of Brian Moore stories.
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I love what Turnpike are doing Ali and their books always look lovely too.
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I’ve learnt to keep an eye out for writers published by The Stinging Fly Press. I hadn’t come across Skein Press before, though. Both those titles look good!
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The Stinging Fly are a great sign of quality alright.
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A very useful round-up, Cathy. I’m particularly interested in Turnpike and Stinging Fly, lots of great books there.
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What Turnpike have done for Janet McNeill’s reputation has been invaluable.
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This is lovely Cathy – thanks for focusing on Irish publishers! We want to see indie presses from around the world getting their due! I’d heard of Turnpike, who do seem to be doing sterling work – and the rest sound equally great!
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I knew I wouldn’t get to read an indie this month but I really wanted to take part in Read Indies!
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What great publishers you’ve showcased here and what a variety of books they have published. I’ve read Janet McNeill from Turnpike.
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Thanks Liz – there are loads more – it was hard to narrow it down!
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I really appreciate you highlighting these publishers. They deserve to be highlighted, as otherwise they risk being passed by. The might of the big players could drown them out, so I was delighted to hear about these. Thank you
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I’m glad you liked it Barbara!
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spill simmer falter wither is the title that’s caught my eye – thank you for such an interesting post, Turnpike is the only one I’m already familiar with so lots to explore!
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It’s a great title isn’t?
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You must be over the moon about the three Irish entries on the Folio Prize shortlist — two from Tramp Press!
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It’s great news. They are three great books too.
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I’m always smarter after visiting. God knows I need that. Thank you, Cathy.
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Aw thank you!
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Thanks for the links to the publishers, Cathy. I see several I will order from Turnpike Books! Love Janet McNeill! Looking forward to March!
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Turnpike are really brilliant Peggy, I hope you enjoy!
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I like the way you structured this post! And I love having a look at all the book covers. Sometimes you can guess the publisher by the art on the cover!
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Exactly! And thank you
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