Books the Big Five or the mini-majors could never take on are now finding their way to readers—from great literary fiction to specialized nonfiction, poetry, politics, religion, and kids’ books.

Andrew AlbaneseAn annual rundown on the fastest-growing independent publishers in the US arrives in the latest issue of Publishers Weekly, reports Andrew Albanese. And while technology is often accounted as the reason for slow-or-no growth in other publishing sectors, technology is what drives growth the indies, he says.

“Technology has been fueling indies going back to the days of desktop publishing,” Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally. “Thanks to more efficiencies, fueled by digital, we are seeing more writers, and more publishers able to find the tools they need to make, print and sell their books.

“Books the Big Five or the mini-majors could never take on are now finding their way to readers—from great literary fiction to specialized nonfiction, poetry, politics, religion, and kids’ books. What we’re seeing is that indies take chances, fill niches, and generally judge their success by how they fulfill their mission rather than by their profits—but, as the list shows, the indies are making their fair share of profits, too.”

Every Friday, CCC’s “Beyond the Book” speaks with the editors and reporters of “Publishers Weekly” for an early look at the news that publishers, editors, authors, agents and librarians will be talking about when they return to work on Monday.

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