May 2026

Working with Small and Independent Publishers: What Authors Need to Know

<p style="">Small and independent publishers occupy surprisingly complicated territory in publishing, and that's mainly because they're all so different from one another. Some operate nearly like a Big Five publisher, while others have more in common with self-publishing efforts. Authors who treat them as either a fallback option or an automatic win can be surprised by the upsides and the limitations.</p><p style="">In this class, we'll look at how to assess small and independent publishers and whether a particular press is a good fit for you and your next project. We'll cover how to assess a press's distribution and your potential for bookstore placement (and sales!) and what their track record looks like in getting books reviewed and into readers' hands. We'll also look at how small presses can potentially power your career even if they don't offer the conventional benefits of a larger house. By the end of class, you'll know the questions you should be asking any publisher before moving forward with your submission or contract.</p>