Indie publishers are a huge part of the literary landscape, but are so often overlooked. This issue, we’re sharing our top picks from the industry’s risk-takers and boundary breakers.
What: Seven Nights at the Flamingo Hotel by Drew Gummerson
Who: Bearded Badger Publishing Company
When: November
Perfect For: Those on the hunt for a ‘Rags to Rags’ story of debauchery and doom. Check into The Flamingo Hotel this November. With shades of William Burroughs and Kevin Barry, Gummerson’s bold debut novel is the first publication from a daring new indie press.
– Bayley
What: Famished by Anna Vaught
Who: Influx Press
When: September 10
Perfect For: Anyone who needs their ‘weird fiction’ fix. In seventeen stories – some to enchant you, others to turn your stomach – Anna Vaught uses food to explore subjectivity, desire, consumption and control. Gorgeous and grotesque in equal measure, Famished is the surprising new collection from the author of Saving Lucia.
– Bayley
What: The Secret Political Adviser: The Unredacted Files of the Man in the Room Next Door by Michael Spicer
Who: Canongate
When: October 1
Perfect For: Fans of humorous historical and/or political fiction. The Secret Political Adviser shows major world leaders being comically guided through their duties by ‘The Man in the Room Next Door,’ suggesting that anyone can become an important politician – as long as they’re wearing the right earpiece.
– Laura
What: Island Dreams: Mapping an Obsession by Gavin Francis
Who: Canongate
When: October 1
Perfect For: Fans of travel, philosophy and psychology. Filled with intrigue and featuring beautiful settings, Island Dreams is a captivating novel that traverses different islands and their cultures, and the human longing for isolation and solitude.
– Laura
What: All Your Little Lies by Marianne Holmes
Who: Agora Books
When: October 22
Perfect For: If you’re hoping to set your heart racing with a psychological thriller that blurs the lines between truth and deception. After a mysterious disappearance, Annie becomes entangled in the web of lies she has spent years cultivating.
– Meg
What: The Pretenders by Agatha Zaza
Who: Agora Books
When: November 5
Perfect For: If you’re in the mood for a domestic tragedy in which a day of celebration unravels into a day of reckoning. In this dark and devastating debut, three couples are forced to reveal the lies they’ve been telling themselves and face the consequences of betraying their loved ones.
– Meg
What: So Hormonal edited by Emily Horgan and Zachary Dickson
Who: Monstrous Regiment
When: August 20
Perfect For: Anyone who seeks an open and raw conversation about hormonal truths. In this non-fiction anthology, expect essays and anecdotes covering periods, fertility, transition, menopause, steroid use and much more! With over thirty authors from almost a dozen countries, the anthology boasts inclusivity for all.
– Zoë
What: Alone Together: Love, Grief, and Comfort in the Time of Covid-19 edited by Jennifer Haupt
Who: Central Avenue Publishing
When: September 1
Perfect For: Anybody in need of comfort during the COVID-19 crisis. With contributions from ninety authors (sixty-eight in print and another twenty-two in the e-book edition), this book reminds us that even when we feel physically isolated, we remain emotionally connected. All of the book’s proceeds will support indie bookstores through The Book Industry Charitable Foundation.
– Zoë
What: City of Margins by William Boyle
Who: No Exit Press
When: September 24
Perfect For: Fans of vivid and richly-drawn characters. City of Margins is a fascinating and unforgettable insight into atmospheric Southern Brooklyn in the 1990s, with an intoxicating writing style. Moving, gritty and incredibly real, it’s sure to stay with you long after you turn the final page.
– Hollie
What: Should We Fall Behind by Sharon Duggal
Who: Bluemoose Books
When: October 2020
Perfect For: Anyone who enjoys emotive novels that tackle important themes; Should We Fall Behind examines suffering, love, loss, humanity and the concept of time, with an exquisite tone and style. This is the perfect book to snuggle down with on a cosy autumnal evening.
– Hollie
What: The First Woman by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi
Who: Oneworld
When: October 1
Perfect For: If you want a powerful story of one girl’s journey of self-discovery and belonging. This stunning novel set in Uganda opens us up to explore the courage it takes to become a woman in a country determined to silence your voice.
– Genevieve
What: Gold Shining Light by Bebe Ashley
Who: Banshee Press
When: October 22
Perfect For: Those looking for modern, perceptive and witty poetry. This joyous debut collection explores a technicolour of pop culture topics, and is ideal for anyone who secretly (or not-so-secretly!) harbours a love of Harry Styles.
– Genevieve