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From Algonquin Press:
 Gap Creek
by Robert Morgan
New Stories From The South
The annual anthology
Lunch at the Piccadilly
by Clyde Edgerton
The Cheerleader
by Jill McCorkle
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Algonquin Books
Louis D. Rubin, Jr. and Shannon Ravenel
The problems of small presses and literary publishing aren't new. In December of 1981, Louis D. Rubin, Jr., Professor of English Literature at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill attended a conference in New York on the issues surrounding these publishing companies. Conversation about the frustration of writers struck a nerve.
The professor took the matter to heart. He enlisted the help of his former student, Shannon Ravenel, then an editor at Houghton Mifflin's, and in the fall of 1983 Algonquin's first list was published. 20 years later, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill has produced almost 400 quality fiction and nonfiction titles in hardcover and paperback editions.
From its beginnings in a backyard shed, with resources that allowed for a printing of only 1500 copies of their first book, Algonquin has grown into one of the most respected literary houses in the country. A number of titles have graced bestseller lists across the country, including The New York Times.
The house prides itself on being eclectic and willing to take a chance on new writers. Its Southern location has helped Algonquin discover some of the South's most exciting voices, like Lewis Nordan, Larry Brown, Dori Sanders, and Silas House. But it has also launched the careers of decidedly unSouthern writers like Julia Alvarez whose first novel, How The Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents is in its 10th hardcover printing and Esme Codell whose bestselling memoir, Educating Esme laid the foundation for her latest book, How To Get Your Child To Love Reading, a 500-page reading resource for parents.
What started twenty years ago as a crusade, has become a business. Algonquin competes for review attention and battles for shelf space. In a world dominated by publishing powerhouses, its role is a very challenging one. But rewarding for those who do the work and for those who read the books.
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