INDIE PRESS NETWORK

Join the network

Why join the network?

Well, there are heaps of benefits:

  • List your forthcoming titles on this website
  • Have your key titles included in the catalogue, mailed to 600+ bookshops (see this page for a digital version)
  • Have your press listed on this website and shout about your successes and what makes you unique
  • Have your titles highlighted in newsletters to a curated list of indie booksellers across the country
  • List your authors for event and festival directors to find
  • Become part of a network of presses, offering support and solidarity
  • Be part of industry events, such as the Indie Press Network British Library day and the Arts Council England & Indie Press Network Marketing & PR Day
  • Join the Discord forum for small presses, to knowledge share and make plans together
  • In the face of new legislation, work with others in the same boat as you

The annual fee for belonging to the network is just £20, which is charged to cover expenses; this is a non-profit enterprise, and any amassed funds will be declared and shared with the members.

What are the conditions of joining?

The definition of what an independent publisher is changes depending who you ask. We use the following criteria, which are the only conditions of joining the network:

  • That the press joining the network is independent, i.e. it is operated by its owners and is not part of a group
  • That the press has five or fewer full-time equivalent paid employees
  • That the press is not a self-publishing operation (for the avoidance of doubt, if the press publishes books by the owners, it must also publish work by third parties, and the self-publishing element must not account for more than a third of the press’ output; and if the press charges authors for publication, it must also publish ‘traditionally’, i.e. without charging authors, and the self-publishing element must not account for more than a third of the press’ output)
  • That the press agrees to adhere to the rules of the network

We understand some independent publishers do not fall into this category, usually because they’re ‘bigger’, in terms of staffing, or because they’re only publishing their own work – you’re no doubt putting out great books, but your output and set-up is likely different to our members’, which is why we have these criteria. We wish you the best of luck with your publishing all the same, and hope to collaborate with you on events that are open beyond our membership.

Sign me up!

Please head here to confirm you meet the conditions of membership, and then we’ll send you a quick form to get you up and running with the Network! If you have any questions please drop us a line.