Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month this September with our featured collection of books by Hispanic authors.
2026 September – Hispanic Heritage Month
Literature
Publisher Highlight: Moon Tide Press
Michael Miller founded Moon Tide Press in 2006. Located in Whittier, CA, Miller turned the press into a Southern California institution for poetry. The press provided space for many unpublished writers, including poet Eric Morago in a 2007 anthology. Over the following years, Morago (along with many others) would publish more with Moon Tide Press and work closely with Miller. In 2016, Morago took over the press when Miller decided it was time to move on to other things.[1] Under Morago’s leadership, Moon Tide has continued publishing two to four collections or anthologies a year alongside arranging readings and community events.
Moon Tide focuses on poetry, encompasses a range of life-moments and emotions. Individual volumes reflect on the horror of life; on remembering friends; of the process of aging.
In 2024, they also picked up the poetry magazine Spillways’ compilation and release. Readers can find information about those activities on Moon Tide Press’ webpage or social media accounts, including their Instagram page.
Titles at UC Berkeley
Notes
[1] Local Stories, “Meet Eric Morago of Moon Tide Press,” Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide, January 29, 2019, https://voyagela.com/interview/meet-eric-morago-moon-tide-press-los-angeles/; “About Us,” Moon Tide Press, accessed July 6, 2026, https://www.moontidepress.com/about-us.
Publisher Highlight: Transit Books
In 2015, Adam Z. Levy and Ashley Nelson Levy founded Transit Books in the East Bay. In their decade of existence, they have released almost a hundred titles, ranging from beautiful translations of award-winning titles to adorably illustrated children’s picture books. The two came together when attending a graduate program in Columbia University. The two discovered a mutual interest in translation and, after work in translation and writing themselves, moved to California and founded the press. Under the banner of not-for-profit Transit Books, the two publishers started releasing stunning translations of fictional literature from around the world. Recently, they’ve added English fiction as well as non-fiction/essays as a series of “Undelivered Lectures.”[1]
The press has been highly successful, allowing the move from a home office to a space in the Strawberry Creek Design Center. They are now able to hold events even as they release more than a dozen books a year. Readers can follow Transit Books’ events through their social media accounts including Instagram and following their books on their webpage.
I, as someone who adores illustrations, am excited to read Jaque Jours’ children’s book The Muéganos (available in both English and Spanish) at the end of July.
Books at UC Berkeley
Notes
[1] “About,” Transit Books, accessed June 29, 2026, https://www.transitbooks.org/about; Joanne Furio, “The Indie Berkeley Book Publisher with a Worldwide View,” Berkeleyside, January 2, 2025, https://www.berkeleyside.org/2025/01/02/the-indie-berkeley-publisher-with-a-worldwide-view.
Publisher Highlight: Tebot Bach
Tebot Bach, the little teapot publisher of Orange County (located in Huntington Beach), came into existence in 1993, publishing Spillway Magazine. In 1999, founding members Mifanwy Kaiser and Mark Bergendahl chose to incorporate as a not-for-profit publisher in 1999. For almost three decades, the press published lovely books of poetry and fiction as well as organized local events, including poetry readings. Those events were held throughout their local area, in cafes and theaters as well as homeless shelters and nursing homes. Like their little Welsh teapot (tebot) namesake, they wanted to promote a spirit of community.
While little news has been published about their current status and the press is currently in “good standing” as a Nonprofit Corporation – CA – Public Benefit, evidence suggests that Tebot Bach has been winding down since 2021. They do not currently have any calls for proposals, their Facebook page is rather quiet, and their appearance in most bookstores is limited to older publications. To add to the impression, this Library appreciated Moon Tide Press (in Whittier, CA) picking up the excellent Spillway Magazine in 2023.
If the impression is accurate, we at Doe Library thank the members of and writers for Tebot Bach and wish them the best in their future endeavors.
Books from the Press
Notes
[1] “Tebot Bach,” SparkOC.Com – The Happening Place for Arts Happenings in the O.C., n.d., accessed June 22, 2026, https://sparkoc.com/organization/tebot-bach/; “About Tebot Bach,” Tebot Bach, accessed June 22, 2026, https://tebotbach.org/about.html.
[2] “Business Search,” California Secretary of State, accessed June 22, 2026, https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business.
[3] “Spillway,” Mood Tide Press, accessed June 22, 2026, https://www.moontidepress.com/spillway; “Los Ángeles Literary Journals,” Los Angeles Literature, April 20, 2015, https://losangelesliterature.com/the-literature/los-angeles-literary-journals/.
Publisher Highlight: Sapphire Books
Christine Svendsen founded Sapphire Books Publishing in 2010 in Salinas, California as a one-person press. Her goal was to provide a lesbian-run publishing house for lesbian writers to tell their own stories. Over the years, the house has grown.
Today, 16 years later, the press has released dozens of titles in literary fiction, memoirs, genres including mystery, and non-fiction. In particular, they highlight their romances. Titles range from deeply personal to light, fluffy comfort reads.
Readers can follow Sapphire Books developments on their Facebook page or on their website.
Titles at UC Berkeley
Notes
[1] CURVE Staff, “Sapphire Books, A Cut Above,” CURVE, November 5, 2020, https://www.curvemag.com/blog/literature/sapphire-books-a-cut-above/.
[2] “Sapphire Books,” Duotrope, accessed June 9, 2026, https://duotrope.com//publisher/sapphire-books-36288.
Publisher Highlight: Inlandia Books
Inlandia Institute became an independent, not-for-profit organization in 2009 with Inlandia Books “founded circa 2011.” It has existed, however, since 2007, when it was spun into existence as a collaboration between Heyday Books and the Riverside Public Library. It grew out of Heyday’s wonderful, 2006 anthology, Inlandia: a Literary Journey Through California’s Inland Empire (link to UC Search record). Since then, (and continuing since incorporation), the Institute has embraced its mission of “deepen[ing] people’s awareness” of the Inland Empire and expanding knowledge of the area’s “unique, complex[,] and creativ[e]” vibrancy.[1]
Inlandia Books releases a variety of material, ranging from yearly anthologies, to poetry, novels, memoirs, essays, children’s books, and more. With uniformly attractive covers, the books build a beautiful picture of the Inland Empire the House has set out to capture.
Inlandia is an incredibly active Institute. Readers can follow their activities through their social media presence on Instagram and other platforms. Their website is one of the best places to follow their book releases.
Titles at UC Berkeley
Notes
[1] “Inlandia Institute,” Wikipedia, November 28, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Inlandia_Institute&oldid=1324624111; “About Us,” Inlandia Institute, accessed June 2, 2026, https://inlandiainstitute.org/about-us/.
Publisher Highlight: Rare Bird Books
Tyson Cornell founded Rare Bird Books in 2010 in Los Angeles. While starting life in the Midwest, Cornell attended UCLA. In Los Angeles, they ended up working at the legendary, independent bookstore Book Soup. Interested in ethnography, Cornell initially worked in the newsstand, but increasingly supported events and worked with authors and publishers.[1]
Those experiences led Cornell to found Rare Bird in 2010 and have influenced the press’ focus since. The publisher’s more than 100 titles often serve as partial ethnographies, with heavy emphasis on lived experience through memoirs and “operat[ing] from a shadowy locus between Northeast LA and epistemological collapse.”[2]
Readers can follow Rare Bird and their website or through their Instagram page.
Recent Titles
Notes
[1] Joey Claudio, “Founder of Rare Bird Books Tyson Cornell Provides Insight Into His Sources of Inspiration and How He Maintains a Permanent Sense of Creativity,” Thrive Global, September 29, 2021, https://community.thriveglobal.com/founder-of-rare-bird-books-tyson-cornell-provides-insight-into-his-sources-of-inspiration-and-how-he-maintains-a-permanent-sense-of-creativity/.
[2] “About Rare Bird,” Rare Bird: Publisher of the Great & Infamous, accessed May 26, 2026, https://rarebirdlit.com/about-rare-bird/.
Publisher Highlight: Hat & Beard Press
J.C. Gabel and Brian Roettinger founded Hat & Beard in Los Angeles in 2016.[1] This publisher and print production house focuses on nonfiction literary and artistic output. They are heavily interested in the visual arts and, alongside poetry and essays, publish artist monographs in collaboration with artists and museums. Their stated goal is to produce works of “pop-culture and historical significance” [2].
This House produces beautiful material objects as well as fascinating works of poetry. Interested in design, these books are works of art in and of themselves. Frequently hardback with high-quality materials, these volumes are as much about the object as about the content.
For more information about their titles and their activities, check out their website or Instagram page.
Titles at UC Berkeley
More in the UC Libraries
Take a look at additional titles in the UC library systems using the Advanced UC Library Search.
Notes
[1] “About Us,” Hat & Beard Press, accessed May 19, 2026, https://hatandbeard.com/pages/about-us.
[2] Scott Timberg, “J.C. Gabel’s Indie Press Gamble, Hat & Beard,” Los Angeles Times, August 23, 2018, https://www.latimes.com/books/la-ca-jc-hat-and-beard-20180823-story.html.
[3] Dan Fox, “Is Art Publishing on the Rise?,” Frieze, September 23, 2016, http://www.frieze.com/article/art-publishing-rise.
May 2026 – Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May with our featured collection of books by AAPI authors.
Publisher Highlight: Manic D Press
Jennifer Joseph founded Manic D Press in 1984 in San Francisco (Bernal Heights) with the goal of publishing their own poems. Working at and writing in Caffe Trieste in North Beach, a New York literary agent told Joseph that no one was publishing poetry. In response, Joseph acquired a handbook about how to do self-publishing. Soon after, Joseph published their first book under the Manic D logo with art from Scot Charland and Julia [sic] (UC Library Search Link).
Under Joseph’s leadership, Manic D has published over 100 titles with around four books a year between 1990 and 2015. The Press has anthologies of poetry, novels, art books, non-fiction about art, and a small array of children’s books. The press has slowed down over the last decade, but they have continued to release phenomenal works.[1]
Readers can find more about Manic D Press’ publication and events through their Instagram page.
Recent Titles
For More at the UCs
For more titles from Manic D Press in the UC System, check out our UC Library Search‘s Advanced Search with a limited of “Publisher” to “Manic D” and limit Material Type to “Book.”
Notes
[1] Evan Karp, “Manic D Press Changes the World,” SF Gate, April 10, 2010, https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/manic-d-press-changes-the-world-3193246.php.