Nov 17, 20235 min read

Can small presses compete with the "big 5" publishers?

Small press publishers exist separately from the larger publishing conglomerates. They release fewer titles annually but offer many similar benefits to their authors.

Despite their smaller reach, these independent presses are increasingly popular for emerging authors. But can they hold up to competition with the big publishing houses? Let's take a look at the data.

What Are Small Press Publishers?

In the US, a small press is any publisher releasing 10 or fewer books per year or with annual sales below $50 million. Essentially, these companies exist independently of the big 5 publishers that dominate the market.

Small presses are typically run by either individuals, print companies, or nonprofit organizations distributing titles related to their mission or values. Nearly all small presses concentrate on a specialty niche, such as a genre or age group.

Imprints, or smaller arms of the big five publishing houses, are not considered small presses because they exist under the larger umbrella of the larger publishing house. They are not independent.

Small press publishers are also referred to as independent/indie publishers or presses.

What Do Small Press Publishers Do?

Indie publishers provide similar services to authors as the larger publishing houses, such as marketing, book cover design, and editing. Services that help authors self-publish, such as book coaches or printers, are not considered small presses.

Examples Of Small Press Publishers

You might not be able to name many small presses off the top of your head, but that doesn't mean they aren't out there and well-known in the industry.

Check out these lists of top indie presses according to Reedsy, Powells, Writer's Digest, and The Bookseller. If you're looking to publish through a small press, this list of presses accepting manuscripts right now (2023) might be what you need.

Why Do Authors Choose Small Press Publishers?

Authors choose to work with small presses for many reasons despite their smaller reach and lesser resources than the larger publishing houses.

Generally, small presses are more willing to consider debut authors, writers without an agent, or work that might be "riskier" in the market. This makes them a popular choice for authors who did not find success querying agents or did not land a book deal with the big 5 publishers.

Small presses also typically have a closer relationship with their authors. Choosing a small press means the writer will likely have more say in decisions related to their work and more impact on the final product on the shelves.

Are Small Press Publishers Successful In The Market?

This is a tough question because, like in any other industry, some small presses are very successful, and others are not. It really depends on which press you are considering.

There is no doubt that books published through indie presses can achieve great things and end up with a very wide reach. Many indie-published books have been nominated for awards, such as the Pulitzer and Booker Prizes, and hit the tops of the bestseller charts.

The flip side, however, is that some small presses are not qualified enough to turn a book into a success. Even worse, some 'vanity' presses prey on new authors desperate to get published, taking money from them without delivering on their promises.

As a general rule, authors looking at small presses should take care to research the press before signing on - and never, ever pay the publisher upfront for anything. If you're asked to do that, it's a major red flag that something isn't right.

The unsatisfying answer to this question is that some small presses are successful in the market, but others are not. It takes due diligence and comprehensive research on whichever press you are considering to adequately determine if they are likely to make your work successful.

Which Famous Books Were Published Through Indie Publishers?

Many famous books have been published through indie publishers, and you've probably heard of some of them.

Here is a list of hit books from the small presses:

Tinkers by Paul Harding (2010 Pulitzer Winner)
An Island by Karen Jennings (2020 Longlist for Booker Prize)
A Tall History of Sugar
Blessing the Boats by Lucille Clifton
Camgirl by Isa Mazzei
All You Can Ever Know by Nicole Chung
Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg
What the Zhang Boys Know by Clifford Garstang
Missile Paradise by Ron Tanner
The Emissary by Yoko Tawada and Margaret Mitsutani (translator)
Cat Out of Hell by Lynne Truss
Indelible in the Hippocampus by Shelly Oria (editor)
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
I Hotel by Karen Tei Yamashita
The Thief by Fuminori Nakamura and Satoko Izumo (translator)
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
Her 37th Year, An Index by Suzanne Scanlon
Making Stuff and Doing Things by Kyle Bravo (editor)
Cry, Heart, But Never Break by Glenn Ringtved and Charlotte Pardi
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
In Calabria by Peter S. Beagle
California Calling by Natalie Singer
The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic by Jessica Hopper
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
Nightmare of Ecstasy by Rudolph Grey
The Border of Paradise by Esmé Weijun Wang
Things We Didn't Talk About When I Was a Girl by Jeannie Vanasco
Females: A Concern by Andrea Long Chu
Training School for Negro Girls by Camille Acker
Good Bones by Maggie Smith
Excavation by Wendy C. Ortiz
Bleeding Skull by Joseph A. Ziemba and Dan Budnik
How Should a Person Be? by Sheila Heti
Queen of Spades by Michael Shou-Yung Shum
Faces in the Water by Janet Frame

There are many more that could be on this list, but as you can see, it's already bordering on too long for this mini-feature. Chances are, whichever genres interest you, you can find a successful small press book to enjoy.

Suggestions for Further Reading

Interested in more info? Check out the links to my research for this article:

Did you enjoy this article? Read more mini-features.

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