SPONSOR
DESCRIPTION
SMALL PRESS OF THE YEAR VERTEBRATE PUBLISHING
THE SHORTLIST
Cranachan SCOTLAND
Eye Books MIDLANDS
From You To Me SOUTH-WEST ENGLAND
Rily Publications WALES
SRL Publishing
EAST/SOUTH-EAST ENGLAND
The Irish Pages Press / Cló An Mhíl Bhuí ISLAND OF IRELAND
O
ut of 50 contenders and eight regional winners in this category, north of England representative Vertebrate Publishing takes the overall title of
Small Press of the Year. It is a business that exemplifies the strengths
PICTURED VERTEBRATE PUBLISHING M.D. JON BARTON
of small presses: passionate about its subject, closely connected to its readers and nimble in its responses to opportunities and challenges alike. Its books on climbing, hill-walking, wild swimming, cycling, running and other outdoor adventures flourished as lockdowns eased and people got back out into nature in 2021, and it surged past £1m in turnover for the first time. With bookshops and events off-limits for long stretches, direct sales from its website, gener- ated by great social media and digital marketing and backed with outstanding customer service, were particularly strong. Vertebrate also coped admirably with the hits to costs and supply
triggered by Covid and Brexit. “Vertebrate is such a focused and energetic
business and it knows its market inside-out… It has been built around the needs of readers rather than the publishers,” said the judges. They also liked its high design and production standards, commitment to sustainability and ambitious growth plans. “It’s great to see a small press setting big goals and reaching them.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED in this category is Elliott & Thompson. The London regional winner trebled its TCM sales in 2021, with Sunday Times chart- topper The Power of Geography by Tim Marshall the standout. Judges particularly liked its proac- tive approach to commissioning and excellent care of staff, authors and customers alike. “It’s not easy for small presses to find room in the middle ground of trade publishing, but Elliott & Thompson is flying.”
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