Islandport Press
Islandport is a dynamic, award-winning publisher dedicated to stories rooted in the essence and sensibilities of New England. In 2024, Islandport Press has begun celebrating its 25th anniversary, and they couldn't be more proud given the radical and disruptive change that has swept through the book industry since they published Hauling by Hand: The Life and Times of a Maine Island in the spring of 2000. Today they have published more than 200 titles, not only original works, but also out-of-print books that they have revived and brought new attention to both the book and the author. They accept and review unsolicited completed manuscripts, as well as agented submissions. For submission guidelines, please click here. Islandport Press envision itself as New England's most trusted storyteller, connecting generations through beautifully crafted books that capture the heart and spirit of our region. Their mission is to publish exceptional books by the region's finest writers and artists that celebrate New England's culture, preserve its rich history for future generations, and share authentic stories that connect readers of all ages to our region's enduring spirit. They operate with their core tenets being quality over quantity, sustainable partnerships, responsible growth, and regional expertise.
You’ve now published more than 100 books in less than twenty years. Did you ever expect to grow so quickly and accumulate as many genres and authors into your catalog?
We started and still remain a press committed to stories rooted in the New England tradition. Our first book was (Dean Lunt’s) Hauling by Hand: The Life and Times of a Maine Island, which details the history of Frenchboro Island and its tough-as-nails residents. From there, our growth seemed organic, and we found ourselves reprinting classic stories, such as Helen Hamlin’s Nine Mile Bridge, which is set deep in the Maine woods during the 1930s. We also remain forever grateful for the decision to reprint Dahlov Ipcar’s stunning children’s books. Adding Dahlov to our catalog opened the door to so many talented children’s book authors and illustrators. So in some ways, our growth is surprising, but when you consider all of the great voices in New England, the diversity of our catalog also makes a lot of sense.
What is the best season for publishing a new book? Does the genre matter: is it all about summer romances and autumn thrillers?
It really depends on the subject matter. For a guide book, like The Islandport Guide to Lighthouses in Maine, the months before summer tourist season make the most sense for publishing. Or in the case of a beautiful photography book that features classic cars, such as David Hill’s Full Service, we decided to publish it ahead of Father’s Day. That said, there’s always a little bit of a guessing game when it comes to deciding on the right season to release a book.
Which do you prefer, hard or soft cover books, and why?
These days, our preference is for soft cover books. We’ve learned that book groups and schools like soft cover, mostly because cost is a factor. As curators of good books, it’s still hard to ignore the beauty of a signed hardcover copy, but it’s important that we listen to our readers and offer what’s wanted most.
Islandport Press
P.O. Box 10
Yarmouth, ME 04096