Chicago’s Book Publishers

First in Their Field

Chicago is home to the largest University publisher in the country, the University of Chicago Press. The press employs 300 people, publishes 200 new titles per year, and keeps classics like the Chicago Manual of Style in print.

Sourcebooks, Inc., based in Naperville, is the largest woman-owned independent publishing company in the United States, with an eclectic array of New York Times bestsellers, novels, children's books and gift books. Third World Press is the largest African American owned independent press in the country, and publisher of Gwendolyn Brooks’ poems and Tavis Smiley’s Covenant with Black America.

Independents

Many of Chicago’s hardworking “mom and pop” publishers have resisted being bought up by commercial publishing conglomerates. Tenacious independent companies like Academy, Agate and Chicago Review Press survive on their passion for great books and the occasional big-seller.

Small presses like Flood Editions, with its experimental poetry titles, began as the brainchild of a few friends.  In seven years, it has grown into an avant-garde authority. Switchback Books publishes feminist poetry from trailblazers like Monica de la Torre. Featherproof’s books are hip, youthful novels marketed through guerilla tactics, like free downloadable mini-books.

Do It Yourself

Chicago’s “micro-presses” thrive on the city’s underground energy and love of collaboration. Many take inspiration from the city’s book and paper arts scene. Green Lantern Press specializes in “slow media” production as an antidote to commercialism. Comic book artist-publishers like Shortpants Press and Dream Chocolate help foster the notion that we’re now in a golden age for comics.

Book art and print media programs like those at Columbia College and the School of the Art Institute are graduating a whole new generation of do-it-yourself publishers with an eye for beautiful books.