I’m always excited when a new reprint publishing house pops up – and there are so many out there now, whether imprints from big publishing houses or tiny indies. Obviously I think the British Library Women Writers list is the best one out there, but there are plenty of others doing wonderful things – and I love it when they are specialising in something specific. So when I heard about Quite Literally Books, I was very intrigued.
You can see plenty of intel on their website. I chortled at their header ‘Reader, we reprinted them’. Yes, we’re among friends here. And they say ‘We are a heritage press devoted to discovering and reissuing ought-to-be-in-print books by American women authors—and occasionally others—who’ve been shelved for far too long.’ You can tell it’s American because their email address begins ‘writeus’. Then again, Jane Austen used that sort of phrasing too.
I’ve listened to the two co-founders on a couple of podcasts, and they seem to have delightful curiosity about the literary past, a taste for books that are both enjoyable and have something to say about a moment in time – and (this will help) clearly have enough funding from somewhere to make Quite Literally Books a very chic concern.
Their first three titles are The Home-Maker by Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Plum Bun by Jessie Redmon Fauset and The Pink House by Nelia Gardner White. Perhaps they will always publish books exclusively by women with doubled-up surnames. Anyway, of course I already have the Persephone edition of The Home-Maker, so I had to choose between the other two titles for my exploration into Quite Literally Books. My weakness for books about houses made The Pink House the obvious choice. It was actually only after I ordered it that I joined the dots and realised it was a book (under an earlier edition) that Gina had raved about.
One problem: their books aren’t (yet) available in the UK. And shipping from the US is extremely expensive. And that’s where my friend Jo stepped in! She was visiting a mutual friend in Seattle, and so I got the book shipped to my friend’s Seattle house, and Jo brought it back in her suitcase. Thank you, Jo! (I wonder if this qualifies for the ‘has anybody asked you pack anything?’ question that airports always pose.)
I haven’t started it yet, but I love the quality of the physical book, the beautiful cover design, and the very promising blurb. Watch this space! I’m so interested to see what they bring out next – and, for once, I’m writing about something that American readers will find much easier to locate.
Sounds like a really interesting new publisher, Simon! Just a shame their books aren’t more readily available over here.
Yes, fingers crossed they’ll come over this way eventually – I am already getting the collector’s bug…
Oh wow! I feel pretty excited about Quite Literally Books too having just clicked your link and read their lovely story (and signed up of course!). It might be good they are not UK based in that otherwise how could I resist their lovely offerings.
I have however discovered that my library stacks have around a dozen titles by Nelia Gardner White (previously unknown to me) and I have already reserved a 1950 edition of The Pink House. It sounds delightful based on the goodreads reviews and Gina’s rave.
Oh wow you have an excellent library!! I got all excited and checked mine, and they don’t have any, so I will be ordering instead. Which is great too!!
I am really fortunate with my library in that the stacks keep a lot of the old 20th century books that I can order to be dusted off. My copy will not have that gorgeous cover though so I am still envious of you! I am not in the States so would need to send an envoy to ‘pack something in their suitcase’ for me as Simon said.
Oh wonderful that it’s in your library!
I have just finished The Pink House and would second Gina’s ‘rave’! I predict that you will absolutely love it; you have a treat in store.
I hope you get to read The Pink House, too, Sarah! So glad that you liked my Goodreads review ☺️💝
Fellow reader, I read it and absolutely loved it. I have just reread your goodreads review. I think you captured the wonderful spirit of this book perfectly. Three cheers for the wonderful Quite Literally Books 😁🎶
Ooh, pretty!
Steady on Simon—-remember project 24.
I’m confused – this is a post *about* Project 24!
Sorry I missed read the article.What a fool am i.
This looks like a fun new imprint. I love their covers.
Beautiful, aren’t they?
Simon, this is awesome! Thank you so much for tagging me in your post. I really love this modern book design. I’ll have to check out this publisher—I’d never even heard of it before! 😱 Crossing my fingers that you love this book as much as I do 🤞🏼🤞🏼 I usually read more positive and uplifting books, but this story was just so deep and wonderful in the best way. It reminded me a little of Dorothy Whipple’s novels. Will be anxiously awaiting your review once you read it. Happy Reading!! 😍❤️