Indie Publisher Spotlight: Saraband

Posted on March 6, 2024 in North

Welcome to the world of Northern publishing, where independent houses craft stories that break the rules and embrace the heart of storytelling. In this series, we’re exploring the growth, focus and future of some fantastic Northern publishing houses you should know about. Next up is Saraband!

Introducing Saraband

Founded in 1994 in Norwalk, Connecticut, in the early years Saraband created illustrated non-fiction and reference books in nature, history, arts and mind/body subjects.

In 2011, with the growth of digital publishing, they introduced literary fiction to their publishing with Graeme Macrae Burnet’s debut novel among their first fiction acquisitions. In 2017 they moved their base of operations to Manchester and began to engage with authors, readers and colleagues in the literary world in the North of England.

Growth and Evolution

Saraband has achieved notable recognition in the literary world, winning the Saltire Society’s Scottish Publisher of the Year award and being shortlisted for the IPG’s Independent Publisher of the Year award.

In recent years, Saraband’s authors have garnered acclaim, winning or being shortlisted for prestigious literary awards on both international and UK platforms. These include The Booker Prize, LA Times Literary Awards, the Frank O’Connor short story award, the Wainwright Prize for nature writing, and many more. Their commitment to diverse genres and literary excellence is evident in its continuous presence among celebrated works and accomplished authors.

What Doesn’t Kill Us by Ajay Close

Publishing Focus

Acknowledged by the Guardian as ‘a small but brilliant independent press,’ Saraband publishes a range of nature writing, pressing environmental issues, memoir, and life stories that aim to inspire and entertain. They describe themselves as providing a platform for voices that are often overlooked while working hard to make sure they follow the most sustainable practices at all times.

Hall of Fame

Over the years Saraband have published a huge range of notable works including Graeme Macrae Burnet’s novels His Bloody Project and Case Study.

Saraband have also published four books in partnership with New Writing North and the University of York as part of the Northern Writers’ Awards. The NorthBound Book Award was created to celebrate writing from the North of England and in 2022 Julia Rampen won this award for The Bay.