Northern Indie Publishers: Why Small Presses Still Matter

Posted on May 25, 2026 in North

When people think about publishing, they think about the “Big Five”- Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette, Simon & Schuster and Macmillan. These publishers dominate the industry and shape much of what audiences read. Beyond this, there are many indie publishers that don’t get the spotlight, which are sustained by passion, not profit. 

At events like the York Literature Festival, northern indie publishers such as Little Hirundine, Acid Bath Publishing show an alternative way of publishing. It’s rooted in collaboration, community and amplifying marginalised voices.

A Different Way of Publishing

Northern indie publishers work to different ethos than most: by emerging writers, for emerging writers. They’re a big part of local creative communities, prioritising collaboration over competition and measuring success in opportunity.

Indie presses are rarely motivated by profit; in fact many are run by volunteers who believe in the stories they are publishing. They’re supported by a combination of book sales, unpaid work and small grants, making up for limited resources with their dedication to authors and their communities.

The sense of community support is strong, especially in the North, where who you know is vital to sustaining creative work. Indie presses have an extended purpose, as being a key part of our cultural framework- by ‘connecting diverse writers with equally diverse communities’. 

Northern Presses: A Spotlight

Acid Bath Publishing, founded in Sheffield in May 2020, but now based in York, publishes work that is “clear, candid and corrosive”, by prioritising fresh voices and unique perspectives. It is mostly funded through sales, which leads to more focus on genres selling well with niche audiences. Being volunteer-run also reflects the DIY nature of independent publishing, as ‘books become a labour of love – not a business opportunity.‘

Similarly, Little Hirundine also uplifts unheard voices and helps create space for diverse perspectives, along with nurturing a strong sense of literary community. They do this by creating a positive feedback cycle as an indie press, between indie bookshops, writers and readers.

Fawn Press focuses on pamphlet publishing, a format that both encourages innovation and accessibility. By operating on a smaller scale, more up-and-coming authors can be supported, and more risks can be taken. 

Why are indie presses important?

Indie presses are an essential part of publishing, through filling gaps left by mainstream presses. They help discover new talent, championing diverse perspectives, experimental forms and narratives that don’t fit the norm. Writers on the cultural fringes put a spotlight on parts of society that traditional publishing looks over. 

They’re also places where innovation happens. Whilst mainstream publishing is motivated by sales potential, indie presses are unconstrained by this, meaning they can take risks on more experimental work. Independent publishers give readers more choices and create an inclusive, innovative reading experience. 

The Financial Reality

Whilst indie presses are important, they are currently dealing with financial issues. The cost of publishing a book has more than doubled in the past decade. In 2015, the unit cost of printing and producing a title in 2015 was somewhere between £1.30 to £1.80. By 2023, that unit cost rose to somewhere between £2.83 to £3.50, an increase of 40 to 100%.

This is difficult for many smaller presses who often rely on arts council funding that is repeatedly being slashed- alongside sales and volunteer work. 

With these challenges come new approaches, such as print-on-demand, digital formats and alternative money making methods. Crowdfunding, for example, allows readers to support work that excites them, in exchange for exclusive perks. Whilst this shows resilience, it doesn’t change their deep-rooted financial instability. 

The consequences of losing them

Losing indie presses would have massive consequences for the industry. They’re an essential platform for new writers to get their work out there, especially if you’re from an underrepresented background. 

Regionally, their disappearance would cause the decline of literary communities beyond London. Publishing itself would take less risks, cover fewer original ideas and allow less conventional voices to be heard. To summarise, losing indie presses would hamper the diversity and creativity of the industry- by prioritising profit, it would restrict what publishing can be. 

Looking to the Future

In conclusion, Northern indie publishers show an alternative publishing model run on passion, community and the love of storytelling. Supporting indie presses is about more than keeping small organisations running. It’s about protecting the future of publishing itself.