Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge discussion
2017 Read Harder Challenge
>
Task #21: Read a book published by a micropress
Felicity wrote: "Do we think Ocean Breeze Press counts? My mom ran into one of their authors at an event and bought a book to be supportive, so I have it sitting here... Looks pretty small!"Looks like a tiny press to me, so I think you're good!
Cheryl wrote: "This has got to be the hardest (read--worst) challenge task ever. I feel the same as some of the others about wanting to find the books in my library system or at least on kindle (low cost). Even i..."I totally agree with you. They shouldn't have included this as part of the challenge because it's really going to be onerous for a lot of people.
Ok, if I can get some feedback one more time (you guys know I'm struggling with this here!), I would really appreciate it. I have this book The Happy Addict: How to be Happy in Recovery from Alcoholism or Drug Addiction, which I purchased for my job and have been meaning to read through it. It is published by Eightball Publishing, and after some extensive Googling I cannot find a single shred of information about this publishing house. Looks like a pretty small operation from what I can see. Thoughts??
Ashley wrote: "Ok, if I can get some feedback one more time (you guys know I'm struggling with this here!), I would really appreciate it. I have this book [book:The Happy Addict: How to be Happy in Recovery from ..."Hi Ashley. I'm a librarian and I did you a solid. I checked on WorldCat, a database of all books cataloged by (Western world primarily) libraries. Eightball Publishing has put out two books, both by Beth Burgess. Sounds like a micropress to me!
MacKenzie wrote: "For those of you in Canada, I definitely recommend checking out Caitlin Press (http://caitlin-press.com/about-caitlin/), or the small press I work for, Coteau Books (http://coteaubooks.com/index.ph..."Thanks for the suggestions. My local library carries both Caitlin and Coteau books.
I found this article which led me to the Publerati site. The article has suggestions for the UK & the US.http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by...
This is the Publerati site out of Portland, ME, USA
http://www.publerati.com/about.html
Lisa wrote: "For those that like sci-fi/fantasy it looks like there's a few selections here and they're available on Amazon.http://www.thecreativealchemy.com/books/"
Hey T, Sounds doable. Go for it. My maiden name was Hayes. Of course, I am going to encourage you.
I just bought for $7 bucks The Social Discipline Reader by Ian Sundahl published by Domino Books. Have a PayPal account
Husband is doing this challenge with me and trying to find something by a micropress. He's a fan of Matthew Colville, who is a youtuber and D&D gamer. Colville has written a couple of books and published them himself through Amazon. His first one is Priest: Ratcatchers, Volume One: A Fantasy Hardboiled. Since he's not using any big house, or even an Indie press, would this count as a micropress?
I'm enjoying the challenge of this but struggling a bit to be certain I'm looking at a micro press as opposed to a small one.So far I have two contenders
Akashic Press- who publish the Noir series- they have a staff of 5.
Or
Topside Press- which looks to be pretty micro, but I can't find any concrete details...
Anyone have any advice on either of these options?
Roxane Gay posted this (and a lot of other great book recs!) on her Tumblr:EXCELLENT SMALL PRESS BOOKS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT
Pink Museum by Caroline Crew The Farmacist by Ashley Farmer The Voyager Record by Anthony Michael Morena Massive Cleansing Fire by Dave Housley
I just purchased 2 from twoplumpress.com The titles look interesting and a $6 each with only $3 to ship it was definitely within my budget to try something new!
Yes ask your librarian! Even if your library doesn't collect from a micropress they may be able to request a book for you from a larger or academic library!
Does anyone know if Publishing Genius is a micro press or a small press? Their website does not tell me how many staff they have. I did some clicking around and can only find one staff person named (Adam). But- they had a book reviewed by Book Riot called How to Catch a Coyote by Christy Crutchfield that looks good. http://www.publishinggenius.com/produ...
Can someone weigh in about Unnamed Press http://www.unnamedpress.com/ and Lookout Books http://www.lookout.org/?
The book I am reading for this is now up on Goodreads. The author is a friend, a college student in her sophomore year, and this is her very first book of poetry.
Writing for Verbaleyze Press, here is Miriam Elisabeth Moore in her debut volume Seeds!
Full disclosure: she's in college. There's a lot of love poetry. However, there are some lovely images worthy of contemplation. Enjoy.
Writing for Verbaleyze Press, here is Miriam Elisabeth Moore in her debut volume Seeds!
Full disclosure: she's in college. There's a lot of love poetry. However, there are some lovely images worthy of contemplation. Enjoy.
I think based on the definition originally linked in this thread I'm going to read something from the NESFA Press.They have no paid full-time employees and they seem to only distribute their books themselves (two points from the definition). They have a long list of titles that are technically available but it seems like only a couple new ones are put out per year. They aren't described anywhere as a micropress though...thoughts?
I got Strange Days: Fabulous Journeys with Gardner Dozois as a freebie from their booth at the Boston Book Fest this year and I'd love to read it and get it off my TBR ;)
Rachel wrote: "AJ wrote: "Rachel wrote: "This may be a stupid question as well, but would these books be easily accessible in public libraries? I am highly dependent on my library for all of the books for my chal..."I Found "Courage Across the Country" by Jeff E. Von Handorf published by MicroPress. It is the story of his cross-country bicycling trip to raise funds for the MPS Society. 100% of the proceeds from the book sales go to the MPS Society. Just contact Jeff via email at jeff.vonhandorf@boone.kyschools.us, or snail mail at 12 Andrew Circle, Cold spring, KY 41076, give him your mailing address and he will promptly mail the book. Inside the book is an envelope addressed to the MPS Society and you make any contribution you would like to make.
Kari wrote: "Does anyone know if Publishing Genius is a micro press or a small press? Their website does not tell me how many staff they have. I did some clicking around and can only find one staff person named..."I was wondering about them as well. I was about to send them an email to ask, but I got distracted & haven't had a chance to get back to it.
ChezJulie wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "This has got to be the hardest (read--worst) challenge task ever. I feel the same as some of the others about wanting to find the books in my library system or at least on kindle (lo..."Yes, it seems the author responsible for this task runs a micro press of her own so I understand why it was suggested, but right now it feels almost off-putting in its narrowness. I don't want to spend more time searching for a book that meets the requirement than reading said book nor do I want to read something I'm uninterested in for the sake of the challenge. I'll wait and see if Book Riots (or any participants) come up with some interesting readily available options, but I'm also considering a small press book to replace this task.
You can Google "Is _____ a micropress". "Free Micropress fiction ebook " worked well too.
ChezJulie wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Ok, if I can get some feedback one more time (you guys know I'm struggling with this here!), I would really appreciate it. I have this book [book:The Happy Addict: How to be Happy in..."ChezJulie, my hero!!! Thank you so very much for your help! :)
Lanie wrote: "ChezJulie wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "This has got to be the hardest (read--worst) challenge task ever. I feel the same as some of the others about wanting to find the books in my library system or at l..."Totally with you on this one! I get what she was trying to do with the suggestion, but I haven't found a single book yet that actually interests me. I don't mind going a bit outside my comfort zone, but I also need to have at least some interest in the book in order to choose it. I don't want to pick something just to cross an item off the list.
I just looked up micropresses in my state...none of their offerings are at my library. I looked up all the feminist reads recommendations, and none of them are at my library. I give up for the moment. I really don't buy books unless I've read the book or know the author. Sigh.
I read some of the definitions posted above and I think The Book Smugglers counts for this! Book Smugglers Publishing–an independent digital-first publisher of SFF fiction and nonfiction.
It's run by Ana Grilo and Thea James, and they started blogging about books. They have a lot of cool sounding titles so I'll probably go with one of those :)
MacKenzie wrote: "For those of you in Canada, I definitely recommend checking out Caitlin Press (http://caitlin-press.com/about-caitlin/), or the small press I work for, Coteau Books (http://coteaubooks.com/index.ph..."Thanks for the Canadian suggestions MacKenzie. I may take you up on your offer of suggestions. Have any favorites? Nice to find out about these SK presses (I am originally from SK)! I also found JackPine Press today https://jackpinepress.com/ which looks good as well, although I suppose they may be your competition? ;)
Rachel wrote: "Lanie wrote: "ChezJulie wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "This has got to be the hardest (read--worst) challenge task ever. I feel the same as some of the others about wanting to find the books in my library ..."I should have mentioned what I found here...but if anyone wants to use it, I picked A Damsel in Distress by P.G. Wodehouse--now in public domain--was (re)published by a micropress.
I'm wondering if self-published books might count, or if that would be considered "cheating"? If it's allowed, I might go with Robins in the Night.
I emailed Dogwood Press ( http://www.dogwoodpress.com) and they said they are a micropress!! They also said they have published 20 titles total, and that they publish 2-3 books per year. I found one of their books at my local book store, but you can order from their website or downloadable through kindle.This will also help if you need a book set in Mississippi for a book within 100 miles.
If you are wanting to double up, LoveLight Press specializes in LGBTQ+ Romance (strictly ebooks). So you could knock out two tasks by reading one of their books. And if you have Amazon Kindle Unlimited, it won't cost you extra. Many of their titles are on KU.
Would chapbooks count in this category?
Zara, yes. I'm reading a chapbook published in the 1700's.
Here's another micropress for the sci-fi inclined :-)http://www.innsmouthfreepress.com/
I'm going to be reading She Walks in Shadows for this category!
Emma wrote: "Here's another micropress for the sci-fi inclined :-)http://www.innsmouthfreepress.com/
I'm going to be reading She Walks in Shadows for this category!"
Whoa, I had no idea that was put out by a micropress. I have several of her books on my TBR! Hallelujah!
Ashley wrote: "Emma wrote: "Here's another micropress for the sci-fi inclined :-)http://www.innsmouthfreepress.com/
I'm going to be reading She Walks in Shadows for this category!"
Whoa, I had n..."
I know, right? I may have done a happy dance when I found this in my TBR bookshelf. I'm trying to complete the Read Harder 2017 with just books that are in my TBR pile (which is...extensive) and I was so sure that I didn't have anything that qualified as a micropress. But then I found this in one of the piles!
Now I just have to find a YA book by an LGBT+ author and my Reader Harder Frugal-er challenge will be set!
You and I are in the same boat, Emma! I, too, am trying to do this challenge with books already on my TBR. This is proving quite challenging on several fronts (a book a sports? a collection of translated poetry? ugh) for me as well. A few suggestions for YA LGBTQ authors are Victoria Schwab (she writes awesome fantasy stuff), Brian Selznick (I've read most of his stuff and it is magical!), The Weight of Feathers, and If I Was Your Girl. Hope these help! Happy reading!
Emma wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Emma wrote: "Here's another micropress for the sci-fi inclined :-)http://www.innsmouthfreepress.com/
I'm going to be reading She Walks in Shadows for this category!"..."
Thanks! There are several titles there that look very interesting.
This was giving me the hardest time. I was hoping to find something on my shelves of unread books but did not think that was going to happen. But I think I found one! Kitchen Boy is on deck.
Mona wrote: "Melissa from Feminist Texan Reads has written a post of feminist suggestions for each of the Read Harder 2017 tasks. She has suggestions for micropress books and one of them is available via free d..."Thank you! I found the book, Deer Woman, and I'm super excited to read it! That's an awesome list!
I think I found my book for this category but not 100% sure. The company is www.GoodBooks.com which up until 2014 was run by two people but now it's run by another publishing company. If not what are some suggestions for this category, please. thank you
Wool by Hugh Howe is absolutely fantastic and is published by broad reach publishing which I believe is a micropress
I'd like to recommend the micropress, Nouvella Books, which publishes novellas (i.e. short narratives somewhat longer than short stories but shorter than novels): http://nouvellabooks.com/books/ In particular, I recommend Ciao, Suerte, by Annie McGreevy: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2....
Here's the summary: "Decades after her son and his pregnant wife are kidnapped and killed during the Dirty War in Argentina, Beatriz is given a lead on the whereabouts of her grandson after a long and desperate search. Ciao, Suerte follows the sudden and tense reunion of Miguel, adopted by wealthy Patagonians as a baby, with his only remaining biological family: Beatriz and her estranged husband Giancarlo.
Set in Madrid as Miguel is living out his late teenage years alongside his adoptive brother and girlfriend Inés, the novella interweaves each narrative with that of Eduardo, the lieutenant who brokered Miguel’s illicit adoption. Detailed in immersive, riveting prose reminiscent of Edward P. Jones and Alice Munro, Annie McGreevy’s debut novella is an intense examination of the spectrum of love—romantic, familial, national and imaginary—and how it simultaneously sustains and disappoints."
Oh man, if Wool by Hugh Howey counts then I definitely want to use that one, but I cant really find any information on Broad Reach Publishing.
Still struggling to figure out exactly what constitutes a micropress. Would When It Counts (published by Gymternet Productions) be considered a micropress?
It sounds like a lot of people are struggling with this one, some interesting discussion and suggestions!I was thinking about reading https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9... Jonathan Safran Foer's Tree of Codes, published by Visual Editions? It's a small publishing company run by two people, with a focus on combining visual elements with storytelling.
Mary Ellen, that title is intriguing. I hope my library gets a copy of it this year.
My firm Publerati is a micropress. We keep overheads very low and only publish literary fiction. We pay our authors the majority of royalties and also donate a portion of all sales to Worldreader. The goal is to publish excellent novels that might not sell enough through larger publishers and help spread literacy in the process. I'm very proud of our small collection, of which two novels are my own under the Don Trowden pen name. Thanks. http://www.publerati.com/
Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
How to Get into the Twin Palms (other topics)The Secret to Not Drowning (other topics)
Work (other topics)
In This Quiet Church of Night, I Say Amen (other topics)
this shouldn't be beautiful but it was & it was all i had so i drew it (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Bud Smith (other topics)Devin Kelly (other topics)
Keegan Lester (other topics)
Flann O'Brien (other topics)
Logan Uber (other topics)
More...
I'm thinking of La Llarona / The Weeping Woman by Joe Hayes, published by Cinco Puntos Press. According to their website (http://www.cincopuntos.com/about.sstg), they seemed to be a micropress when this was published, but they've grown since then so may not qualify as one today.