by a small press

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by a small press" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a publishing company that is smaller in size and typically produces fewer titles than larger publishers. Example: "The novel was published by a small press, which focuses on niche genres and emerging authors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Your book is being published by a small press?

The Guardian - Books

It was published by a small press, Peepal Tree.

The Guardian

My first poetry collection was published modestly by a small press when I was twenty-seven.

The New Yorker

He produced a novel, "Desperate Ground," published by a small press.

The New York Times

He lived in St . Louisand his first novel had just been published by a small press.

The New York Times

My first book was picked up by a small press about three years ago, and it wasn't a great experience.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

No. 1 on that list is "Bin Laden," by Yossef Bodansky, published by Forum/Prima, a small press recently purchased by Random House Inc., which also has about 200,000 copies of the title in print.

The New York Times - Books

It's edited by VICE contributor Paul Maliszewski and published by J&L Books, a small press run by Leanne Sharpton photographer and VICE contributor Jason Fulford.

Vice

By Jon Michaud April 12, 2010 This year's Pulitzer Prize for fiction was awarded to Paul Harding's "Tinkers," a novel published by the Bellevue Literary Press, a small press housed at Bellevue Hospital in New York City.

The New Yorker

This year's Pulitzer Prize for fiction was awarded to Paul Harding's "Tinkers," a novel published by the Bellevue Literary Press, a small press housed at Bellevue Hospital in New York City.

The New Yorker

The book was published in August by Marble House Editions, a small press in Rego Park, Queens.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "by a small press", ensure that the context appropriately reflects the size and scope of the publishing house. This detail can add credibility or explain limited marketing resources.

Common error

Avoid attributing significant marketing reach or widespread distribution to a book published "by a small press". Manage expectations realistically.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a small press" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb (e.g., "published", "released"). It indicates the agency or means through which a book or other written work is published. Ludwig examples confirm this use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by a small press" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to indicate that a book or other publication was released through a smaller, often independent, publishing house. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples reveals that this phrase is particularly prevalent in the News & Media and Books categories. Using this phrase suggests specific context regarding the scale, reach, and potentially the niche nature of the publication. While grammatically correct, it's important to use this phrase accurately, avoiding exaggeration of the press's influence. Alternative phrases, such as "published by an independent publisher" or "released by a boutique publisher", can provide nuanced ways to convey the same information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

published by an independent publisher

Focuses on the independence of the publishing house, rather than its size.

released by a boutique publisher

Highlights the niche or specialized nature of the publishing house.

published through a minor publishing house

Emphasizes the lesser scale or influence of the publishing entity.

brought out by a smaller publishing company

Replaces "press" with "company" while maintaining the size descriptor.

issued by a limited-run publisher

Indicates the scale of the publisher's output.

put out by a micro-press

Uses the term "micro-press" to denote an even smaller publishing operation.

handled by an alternative publishing group

Suggests a non-traditional approach to publishing.

published under a niche publishing label

Highlights the focus on a specific genre or audience.

released via a regional publishing house

Implies a geographic focus of the publishing operation.

distributed by a community press

Focuses on the community-oriented nature of the publishing entity.

FAQs

What are the potential benefits of publishing "by a small press"?

Publishing "by a small press" can offer authors more creative control, personalized attention, and a higher royalty rate compared to larger publishing houses. Small presses often focus on niche genres and emerging authors.

What are the disadvantages of being published "by a small press"?

Being published "by a small press" often means limited marketing budgets, reduced distribution reach, and less recognition compared to books published by major publishing houses.

What's the difference between being published "by a small press" and self-publishing?

Publishing "by a small press" involves a publishing house selecting, editing, and designing the book, while self-publishing means the author handles all aspects of the publishing process themselves. A small press provides editorial and design support that is absent in self-publishing.

What can I say instead of "by a small press"?

You can use alternatives like "published by an independent publisher", "released by a boutique publisher", or "published through a minor publishing house" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.