Author: Bee Lehman

Publisher Highlight: Gunpowder Press

Posted on by Bee Lehman
collage of gunpowder press with logo

David Starkey founded Gunpowder Press in 2013 in Santa Barbara with a focus on California poetry. With the first two volumes, Starkey reached out to Chryss Yost to assist with the books’ layout and cover design. Today, with almost 50 volumes, the Starkey and Yost continue to helm the press. Their beautifully designed output showcases individually authored and compilation anthologies.

For their 30th-year anniversary, the Santa Barbara Independent recognized the press among Santa Barbara’s local heroes [1]. The same year, Starkey and Yost started the Anacapa Review. The review seeks to place established and new poets side-by-side, demonstrating the established and continued vibrancy of Santa Barbara’s literary scene.

logo for Anacapa ReviewReaders can find out more about the press’ titles and readings through their website or Instagram page.

At UC Berkeley

Notes

Indy Staff, “Local Heroes 2023,” The Santa Barbara Independent, November 22, 2023, https://www.independent.com/2023/11/21/local-heroes-2023/.

Publisher Highlight: Transit Books

Posted on by Bee Lehman
Collage of Transit Books covers and logo

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

Posted on by Bee Lehman
Collage Tebot Bach logo and covers

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

Posted on by Bee Lehman
Sapphire Books banner with cover collage

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

Posted on by Bee Lehman
Collage of Inlandia book covers and logo

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

Posted on by Bee Lehman

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

Posted on by Bee Lehman
Collage of Hat and Beard covers

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.

Publisher Highlight: Manic D Press

Posted on by Bee Lehman
Manic D Press collage banner with logo

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.

Publisher Highlight: Inventory Press

Posted on by Bee Lehman
banner for inventory press with collage of covers

Inventory Press is not primarily a literary publisher. Instead, they “publish[…] books on topics in art, architecture, design, and music, with an emphasis on subcultures, minor histories, and the sociopolitical aspects of material culture.” That frequently includes literary components.

After establishing the press in 2014 in New York, Adam Michaels (graphic designer and editor) and Shannon Harvey (design strategist) opened an “independent design and editorial studio” in Los Angeles called Inventory Form & Content (IN-FO.CO). The Press, in turn, in now situated primarily in Los Angeles.[1]

Founded by designers, the Press is interested in the form, look, and function of a book as much as the content. In consequence, their books are often word art (e.g., The Endless Line | Gesture, Painting, Technics) and about the art of letters and words (e.g., A Queer Year of Love Letters) more than they are strictly poetry or prose.[2]

Readers can look at more of their titles and work on their webpage or on Instagram.

Titles at UC Berkeley

For More Books in the UC System

To find additional titles in the UC Library system, take a look at the UC Library Search and limit an advanced search to “Publisher” to “Inventory Press” and “Material Type” to books (sample).

Notes

[1] “IN-FO.CO / Inventory Press,” accessed April 20, 2026, https://in-fo.co/form-content/inventory-press.

[2] Adam Michaels and Shannon Harvey, guests, 106. Adam Michaels and Shannon Harvey, Scratching the Surface, January 16, 2019, https://scratchingthesurface.fm/post/182049895520/106-adam-michaels-and-shannon-harvey;
Wes Del Val, “Taking Stock of Books with Inventory Press,” Designers & Books, October 20, 2020, https://www.designersandbooks.com/blog/taking-stock-of-books-inventory-press.

Publisher Highlight: Sixteen Rivers Press

Posted on by Bee Lehman
collage banner of Sixteen Rivers Press logo and covers

In 1999, a group of seven “San Francisco writers” founded Sixteen Rivers Press as a not-for-profit “Northern California Poetry Collective.” The collective’s idea and structure was premised on Alice James Books, which was founded in the 1970s in Boston. The structure is focused on shared-work, with a voluntary board of directors committing for a three-year period and (usually) meeting once a month on Zoom. Most of the Press’ publications are single-author compilations, at least two each spring, although they occasionally publish multi-author anthologies

A not-for-profit and community group, part of Sixteen Rivers Press’ board’s directives is to encourage local, Northern California poets. The Press does that in part through its ever-changing board, which tries bringing in one-or-two new people a year. Sixteen Rivers hopes thereby to keep the board active with voices representing different perspectives, particularly as the Press often publishes that member’s volume of poetry in their second year of service.[1]

Sixteen Rivers Press also encourages and supports community poetry with series including To the Human Race: Hope River (link to vol. 3). For that series, the Press’ board selects a series of Northern CA, “young teens’” poems. The board members also visit classrooms and offer mentorship.

The press further tries to capture specific moments in U.S. and Northern California with anthologies on topics such as America, We Call Your Name: Poems of Resistance and Resilience (store page) as well as call backs such as Waking Up: Teen Poets Respond (store page)

Readers can follow the Press’ active news page or check out what they’re up to on Instagram.

Recent Titles in the UC Library System

More in the UC System

To find additional Sixteen Rivers Press’ titles in the UC System, check out the UC Berkeley Library Search and search specifically for the press’ name in the Advanced Search under “Publisher” (sample search).

Notes

[1] “About,” Sixteen Rivers Press, accessed April 13, 2026, https://sixteenrivers.org/about.