Deep Dive: Small Specialty Presses

Hi all!

So, if you follow my Instagram (which you totally should), or if you read my post about my 2025 reading goals (which you also totally should), you’ll know that each month two goals I have are to read a book published by Persephone Classics and a book published by the New York Review of Books Classics publishing company. Both sparked my interest because they’re relatively niche, though the books themselves cover a variety of topics and eras. And that got me interested in why these publishers started and how they operate. Join me, won’t you, on this newest literary deep dive?

While I am focusing on Persephone and NYRB, there are plenty of other specialty publishers out there. I chose these two, in part, because I became obsessed based on the obsessions of two of my favorite book influencers: @drinkingbymyshelf (Persephone) and @litfit_rick (NYRB).  

Although both have different missions, they do have a few things in common. Both Persephone and NYRB publish books covering a variety of topics, though Persephone focuses on books by and about women(1) and NYRB often looks for historically published books in translation(2). Thus, even though they approach their missions from different angles, they both achieve the goal of bringing a fairly diverse, often otherwise forgotten to history, literature to contemporary readers. 

But, in a world where publishing is growing increasingly harder and more expensive, how exactly do more niche publishers to continue to succeed? Well, both Persephone(3) and NYRB(4) offer subscription options, that, while certainly not something that is likely keep the ship afloat all on its own, does provide an incentive for avid supporters to keep coming back. 

An insight into specialty publishing in general might offer at least some insight. One writer suggests, “Whereas many major publishers consolidate and lose money on book returns and operating costs, small presses flourish because their books meet high standards for appearance and content, and are handled efficiently and profitably.”(5) This does seem to be true of both Persephone(6) and NYRB Classics(7), both of which have operated since 1999. 

Both are also recognizable by their distinct format - the grey covers of the Persephone Classics(8) and the uniform size, often colorfully decorated NYRB classics with the distinct logo(9). 

I am so excited to dig into more of these classics as the year progresses. Do you have a favorite niche or small press? Share below!

CITATIONS

1  About Us (no date) Persephone Books. Available at: https://persephonebooks.co.uk/pages/about-us (Accessed: 22 February 2025).

2  NYRB classics (no date) New York Review Books. Available at: https://www.nyrb.com/collections/classics (Accessed: 22 February 2025).

3  Persephone Book Subscription (no date) Persephone Books. Available at: https://persephonebooks.co.uk/products/book-subscription (Accessed: 22 February 2025).

4  The NYRB classics book club (no date) New York Review Books. Available at: https://www.nyrb.com/pages/the-nyrb-classics-book-club (Accessed: 22 February 2025).

5  Auken, R.V. (2019) Small press publishers fill the niche - hands-on Heritage, Hands on Heritage. Available at: https://handsonheritage.com/small-press-publishers-fill-the-niche/ (Accessed: 22 February 2025). 

6  About Us (no date) Persephone Books. Available at: https://persephonebooks.co.uk/pages/about-us (Accessed: 22 February 2025).

7 About (no date) New York Review Books. Available at: https://www.nyrb.com/pages/about#:~:text=The%20books%20are%20handsome%20productions,New%20York%20Review%20Children’s%20Collection. (Accessed: 22 February 2025).

8 About Us (no date) Persephone Books. Available at: https://persephonebooks.co.uk/pages/about-us (Accessed: 22 February 2025). 

9 NYRB classics (no date a) New York Review Books. Available at: https://www.nyrb.com/collections/classics (Accessed: 22 February 2025).