Lesbian publisher Barbara Grier called Outlines this week to clarify a statement made in our coverage of the Lambda Literary Awards June 1. Grier said Naiad Press, which has published 32 titles a year, will continue to operate, but by putting out just four titles a year.
Grier encouraged her stable of writers to sign on with Kelly Smith, who interned at Naiad and is co-owner of A Woman's Prerogative, a Ferndale, Mich., women's bookstore ( and the fifth largest seller of Naiad titles ) .
Grier had wanted to sell the press, but didn't find a suitable buyer and instead opted for a very feminist approach—no money changes hands in the deal. Smith's Bella Books has invited most of Naiad's authors to come on board, and most have accepted. Bella will publish its first six titles this fall, and increase to 24 a year as soon as possible.
Smith told Feminist Bookstore News that her approach will include giving authors additional time and resources to make their novels more complex.
Naiad will continue to publish Claire McNab, Karin Kallmajer and Linda Hill, and Naiad's backlist will continue to be in print.
Grier also said that the Firebrand feminist label, while it has been sold to LPC of Chicago, will continue to be a publishing imprint, and its backlist will be available.