Independent Publisher of the Year
Independent Publisher of the Year Winner and Shortlist
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From a centuries-old name down to four year-olds, and from mass market fiction to the niches, this shortlist displays the remarkable diversity of independent publishing. The market was tough for smaller businesses in 2024, but many indies thrived on their built-in resilience and agility. Half of these names are part of the Independent Alliance, where sales hit the highest point in its 19-year history.
This shortlist will also include the winner of the Small Press of the Year.
The Winner
Joint Winners
Boldwood
Magic Cat Publishing
Competition for this award was so strong that the judges couldn’t be separated – so for the first time there are two winners: fiction and children’s powerhouses Boldwood Books and Magic Cat Publishing.
Their trajectories have been similarly spectacular. Both are run by exceptional female entrepreneurs, both turned five in 2024, and both are winners of the Small Press of the Year Nibbie – though their days in that category are over.
Boldwood’s growth has been powered by a pioneering model of simultaneously releasing every new title in multiple formats. It was the second fastest-growing publisher in the TCM in 2024, and 16 of its authors have now sold more than half a million copies, thanks in large part to smart digital marketing. Audio and rights sales have beaten all expectations as well. Romance remains the core, but it is moving confidently into thrillers and historical fiction. “What Boldwood has done in five years is extraordinary… it’s set the standard for indies to follow,” judges said.
Magic Cat’s output is a fraction of Boldwood’s but the growth is no less extraordinary. Sales soared by a third in 2024, with domestic growth coming from a beautifully produced boutique list that is attracting increasingly starry names including Jamie Oliver and Robert Macfarlane. Work overseas was at least as impressive, through both foreign rights and a new distribution list in the US that has doubled North American sales. “Joy and possibility have infused the process of publishing with Magic Cat,” said one of its authors. Judges were equally impressed: “It’s a dizzying speed of growth… Magic Cat’s ambition and ethos are amazing.”
The Shortlist
Atlantic Books
Atlantic epitomised the ability of independents to spot gaps and take risks in literary publishing. Martin MacInnes’ In Ascension and Colin Walsh’s Kala were examples of its passionate author support. It hit the TikTok jackpot too, getting 300,000 sales out of a six year-old backlist title, The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga, with a brilliant reissue campaign. Total TCM sales rose 15%.
Boldwood Books
Boldwood turned five in 2024 but has already been shortlisted three times for this Nibbie. Its unique model of simultaneously publishing every new title in multiple formats has paid off handsomely: BookScan ranked it second for TCM growth in 2024, and audio and rights sales rose just as fast. Sixteen Boldwood authors have now sold more than 500,000 units, powered by exceptional digital marketing.
Canongate
Canongate, a two-time winner, had double-digit TCM growth in 2024. There were six Sunday Times bestsellers, led by Matt Haig’s The Life Impossible, and the corelist—as it now prefers to call the backlist—flourished. Perhaps the proudest achievement was becoming the first UK trade publisher to get B Corp status. Authors are big fans of the team: “They’re enthusiastic, energetic and empathetic,” said one.
David Fickling Books
DFB’s tenth anniversary year was also its biggest by far. TCM sales shot up 58% and it is now ten times bigger than it was five years ago. Through its comic books—especially the remarkable success of Jamie Smart’s Bunny vs Monkey series—it has done more than most to attract more reluctant readers for pleasure. New for 2024 were a Phoenix Comic Books imprint and Search for a Storyteller competition.
The Folio Society
The Folio Society has seized on readers’ interest in beautifully produced and exclusive editions and grew its sales by a fifth last year. It’s now well into its eighth decade but has very modern marketing and publicity and impressive diversity. As an employee-owned trust and owner of its entire supply chain from design to delivery, it’s about as independent as publishing gets.
Granta
Granta had the best year in its illustrious history in 2024. It showed the impact that big awards can have on independents: Birnam Wood by former Booker winner Eleanor Catton and Jenny Erpenbeck’s International Booker winner Kairos led the sales, and it had the 2024 Nobel winner in Han Kang. Prize wins were no fluke but the result of Granta’s constant pursuit of new literary excellence.
Magic Cat Publishing
Magic Cat, the 2024 Small Press of the Year, has grown so fast that it is no longer eligible for that category. Its team have gone from three to 28 in just five years and they grew revenue by a third in 2024. It got remarkable visibility for its boutique picture list and hit new heights in the US. “Joy and possibility have infused the process of publishing with Magic Cat,” said one of its authors.
SPCK Group
SPCK has been in books for well over three centuries now, and it bounced back from a tough few years with record sales in 2024. It was the result of putting more effort behind fewer titles, excellent author brand-building and sharp increases in exports, rights and coeditions. SPCK is showing itself to be a modern as well as venerable publisher, with smart use of digital content and progress on DEI and sustainability
Titan Books
Titan Books is shortlisted for the first time since 2012. Its prolific output topped 200 titles across sci fi, fantasy and more genres, with horror a big growth area. There was an excellent year in the US and American names including Lindsay Ellis and Veronica Roth were big here too. There were standout debuts from Caitlin Rozakis and Sofia Ajram and a hatful of prizes.
Swift Press
Swift Press isn’t yet five but feels like a much longer established name. TCM sales rose 28% and ebooks, audio and rights all topped that. It had an impressive hit rate given limited advances—not least from David McCloskey’s Moscow X and A Beginner’s Guide to Dying by the late Simon Boas. Perhaps its name has helped: “Being a swifty has been a great experience,” said one author.
