Seven of my favourite independent publishers

Featuring the one dedicated to reviving forgotten voices, and another named after the house immortalised in Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca...

When I was back in London for Christmas, I was lucky enough to pay the offices of Slightly Foxed a visit. Honestly, I could have moved in on the spot—and if I’m being honest, I’m still plotting a way to make it happen. Outside, the weather was as grim as you’d expect from a late December afternoon—drizzly rain, gloomy skies, and a cold that went straight to the bones—but the moment I stepped inside, I felt that odd sense of homecoming (along with a hefty dose of bookshelf envy) that only hits when I come across a collection of tomes better than my own.

Stacks of cloth-bound books filled almost every nook and cranny, and I could almost hear the rustle of pages and cracks of spines as I wandered through the shelves, mouth agape in pure delight. The atmosphere had a distinctly Dickensian charm—though, admittedly, that might have been down to the the glistening rain-soaked pavement, the cobbled alleyway I had walked down to get there, and the soft glow of the street lamps outside.

It felt like stepping back in time, a reminder of the kind of publishing I cherish and the kind of books I love to surround myself by—thoughtful, carefully curated, and steeped in stories. It made me determined to buy more books from these small publishers who prioritise quality over quantity, rather than the glossy bestsellers churned out by towering conglomerates with their sleek skyscraper offices and a relentless stream of titles by the latest reality TV star or social media influencer (Becoming Molly Mae anyone?!).

In that spirit, here are seven of my favourite independent publishers that continue to champion books with heart and history—each offering a unique blend of literary charm, thoughtful curation, and a touch of old-world nostalgia. With so many great books on offer, the only real challenge is choosing just one to dive into.

Slightly Foxed

Slightly Foxed publishes the crème de la crème of cosy, nostalgic reads and the sort of literary treasures you never knew you needed. Created by people who love books, for those who cherish them, their pocket-sized, cloth-bound hardbacks are perfectly sized and come complete with a ribbon marker to keep your place—no dog-eared pages around here! Not only are their books a delight to read, but they’re also easy on the eye—and make an elegant addition to any book stack. Their quarterly journal is also an absolute treat, packed with essays that feel like letters from an old friend.

Yet to buy one? Start with their ten-year anniversary edition of My Salinger Year by

Joanna Rakoff

.

Fitzcarraldo Editions

Launched in 2014 by Paris-born Jacques Testard, Fitzcarraldo Editions is known for their Instagrammable covers designed by Ray O’Meara. With their blue and cream aesthetics, their books are as stylish as they are thought-provoking. Boasting a swathe of award-winning authors, Fitzcarraldo Editions has become a must-have for anyone with an eye for literary excellence and minimalist design.

My top pick? Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel—an intimate and powerful exploration of motherhood and identity.

Manderley Press

As someone whose life was forever changed after reading Rebecca, I adore Manderley Press, a London-based indie founded in 2021 by Rebeka Russell—who, fittingly, counts Daphne du Maurier as her favourite author. With a passion for reviving forgotten titles and giving them a fresh lease of life with gorgeous new covers and introductions by leading writers and artists, Manderley Press is a bibliophile’s dream. This write up on the Financial Times, about the publishing house with its own beguiling story is a gorgeous read.

With so many beautiful books, it’s tough to know where to start, but I’ve got my eye on their gorgeous edition of Florence: Ordeal by Water by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor.

Daunt Books Publishing

An extension of the beloved London bookshop, Daunt Books Publishing was founded in 2010 and is dedicated to publishing brilliant works by talented authors from around the world. I’ve especially loved their gorgeous essay collections, which cover everything from the pleasures of food to the joys of swimming at the Hampstead Ladies’ Pond.

Not sure where to start? You can’t go wrong with anything by Natalia Ginzburg—though if I had to recommend just one, I might suggest Sagittarius. I also adore A Sunday in Ville D’Avray by Dominique Barbéris—a quiet, atmospheric book, whose cover I’m obsessed with.

Europa Editions

Perhaps best known for introducing the world to Elena Ferrante, Europa Editions was founded in 2005 by Sandro Ferri and Sandra Ozzola Ferri. They bring fresh international voices to English-speaking readers, with an eclectic and enlightening catalogue. Their books exude that effortless European cool, offering a rich glimpse into different cultures and perspectives. One of their best known titles is Muriel Barbery’s The Elegance of the Hedgehog—it’s a gorgeous, wistful read that was recommended to me many moons ago by someone I thought I might marry. It didn’t work out with the man, but I remain forever thankful to him for bringing this book into my life.

While everyone swoons over the Neapolitan Quartet, my personal favourite Ferrante is The Days of Abandonment—the tale of a deserted wife’s descent into despair—and rage.

Tilted Axis Press

Tilted Axis Press is on a mission to shake up contemporary international literature. Co-founded in 2015 by Han Kang’s translator Deborah Smith, this publisher focuses on translated fiction and poetry from Asia and Africa, bringing fresh and diverse voices to the forefront of publishing. With only six to nine books released each year, each title is carefully chosen to challenge and captivate its readers.

The book that’s most piqued my interest? The award-winning Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree, a sweeping Hindi epic that re-evaluates what it means to be a mother, a daughter, a woman, and a feminist.

Persephone Books

I’m sure I don’t need to introduce Persephone Books—both a Bath-based bookshop and an independent publishing house, whose elegant dove-grey covers, cream panels, period-inspired endpapers, and thoughtfully curated introductions have earned them swoon-worthy status on Instagram. Specialising in reprints of overlooked mid-20th-century women writers, their books—beyond appearances—are genuinely excellent reads.

If you haven’t read it already, start with Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson. It’s the book I gifted to Queen Camilla when I met her last year, so, you’ll be in rather royal company.