Good things come from small presses, says author JoeAnn Hart

Dozens of independent standalone publishers continue to dot the literary landscape in the United States. They survive against all odds, building catalogs of works that range from experimental to controversial. Among the titles are occasional bestsellers, but that is hardly the point.

Author JoeAnn Hart argues that these small presses make our bookshelves more diverse and our cultural existence more interesting.

Stamford ’76 is her latest book, a mix of a memoir and a murder mystery, that was published in April by the University of Iowa Press. As an author and a reader, Hart champions the small presses for taking big risks.

“A small press is very hands-on. The editorial experience is just wonderful at a small press, because they only have a few titles a year, so they’re very invested in the titles that they do take,” Hart tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally. “The editing process at the University of Iowa Press was extensive and wonderful, and I had a great relationship with every editor I worked with there.”

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