5 Hardworking Publishers Of Quality Literature

5 Publishers Bringing Literary Works to the Public

Dorrance Authors Share Real Reactions to Becoming a Published Author

Important Literacy Statistics

• 12%: Percentage of world population that could read and write in 1820
• 86%: Percentage that could read and write in 2015
• 2/3: Illiterate people worldwide who are women
• 85%: Juveniles who interface with the juvenile court system that are functionally illiterate
• More than 60%: Prison inmates who are functionally illiterate
• 90%: Welfare recipients who are high school dropouts
• 2/3: Students who cannot read proficiently by the end of 4th grade that end up in jail or on welfare
• 53%: Percentage of fourth grade students who said they read for recreation
• 20%: Percentage of eighth grade students who said the same
• 30 million: Number of U.S. adults who cannot read, write, or do basic math above a third-grade level
• 1/6: Young adults who drop out of high school

Author Ashleigh Young Reads from Can You Tolerate This?

In Depth

We often take for granted the availability of books, ignoring the long process that must take place before they arrive in our hands. Integral to the supply chain is the work of publishing companies, which ensure that great literature makes the successful transition from manuscript to print. In no particular order, here are some publishers bringing a diversity of literary talent to the world's attention.

For #1 we find The Gallery Press. Ireland's preeminent publisher of poetry and drama, it features over 500 titles representing the achievements of the nation's outstanding literary figures. The list includes acknowledged masterworks from prolific poets such as John Montague and Dermot Healy, as well as first and subsequent collections by now established writers such as Eamon Grennan and Michael Coady.

The publisher's Dramatists Gallery comprises works by Marina Carr, Jim Nolan, and Thomas Kilroy, plus plays and adaptations by Paul Muldoon and Derek Mahon. Other categories include prose and fiction, poetry and plays from women writers, and bilingual works and translations of major Irish-language poets. The Gallery Press also publishes special limited editions that involve collaborations between the country's leading authors and painters.

The publisher's Dramatists Gallery comprises works by Marina Carr, Jim Nolan, and Thomas Kilroy, plus plays and adaptations by Paul Muldoon and Derek Mahon.

Next at #2 is Dorrance, America's oldest publishing services company. Its founder, Gordon Dorrance, had been rejected by traditional publishers, and created the company in 1920 to give everyone the freedom to make their work available to the public. Authors submit their manuscripts for consultation, and are then assisted through the stages of production, promotion, and distribution. Writing coaches and ghostwriting services are also available.

Dorrance's bookstore boasts an array of titles in categories including Young Adult, Photography, Coloring/Activity, and Non-Fiction. The latter category encompasses all manner of genres, from science and food to psychology and travel. There are also substantial selections of poetry and children's books, plus fiction titles covering history, religion, romance, horror, and more. Additionally, Dorrance has a blog offering tips and advice for writers and self-publishers.

For #3 we have Caitlin Press, which was established in 1977 as a Canadian feminist literary press. Since then, it has expanded its mandate to reflect the diverse cultures, histories, and concerns of British Columbia, while bridging the gap between the urban and the rural. The company focuses on books with cultural significance, including fiction, historical and creative nonfiction, and poetry, as well as occasional children's and Y.A. titles.

Since then, it has expanded its mandate to reflect the diverse cultures, histories, and concerns of British Columbia, while bridging the gap between the urban and the rural.

Genres published by Caitlin Press include nature, politics, biography, and the arts. Many titles are available as eBooks that customers can browse and download online. The publisher offers additional titles through its imprint, Dagger Editions, which is dedicated to literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry by and about queer women. Both Caitlin Press and Dagger Editions accept unsolicited manuscripts from writers.

Landing at #4 is Savant Books and Publications. Based in Honolulu, Hawaii, this company seeks previously unpublished literary works with enduring value and transformational points-of-view. Its special interest areas include fiction, particularly historical novels based on author experience, and nonfiction, such as memoirs, academic dissertations, and single-author textbooks. Savant's imprint, Aignos Publishing, covers avant-garde, experimental, and innovative works in all genres.

Other offerings from Savant include its Annual Poetry Anthology series, which was created to introduce and celebrate new and established poets. In addition to print books, Savant produces, publicizes, and markets music CDs, MP3s, and DVDs for worldwide audiences. Customers can purchase these items from the publisher's in-house and online stores, as well as from other brick-and-mortar and online retailers.

Other offerings from Savant include its Annual Poetry Anthology series, which was created to introduce and celebrate new and established poets.

Finally, for #5 we come to The Giramondo Publishing Company, an independent, Australian, university-based publisher of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Founded in 1995, it encourages adventurous literary work that might not otherwise find commercial success, and works to build a common ground between the academy and the marketplace. Its books, which are all designed by acclaimed Australian artist Harry Williamson, have won many of the nation's major literary prizes.

Among Giramondo's authors are poets such as Bonny Cassidy, Michael Farrell, and Fiona Wright; fiction writers Brian Castro, Gerald Murnane, and Beverley Farmer; and various non-fiction authors including Vanessa Berry and Martin Edmond. The company also offers editions of its now discontinued, seminal literary journal HEAT, which showcases contemporary writing from Australia and beyond. The Southern Latitudes series, meanwhile, brings together writers from across the lower hemisphere.