By Diana Tixier Herald
Have you noticed that the big publishers have cut back on the number of midlist titles they release?
Many readers have huge mystery habits. I’m talking five to ten books a week. To keep them satisfied requires a number of what I consider midlist books—books that are really good reads, but that don’t get the big marketing oomph or media buzz that the bestsellers receive.
In the 1990s, before so many publishers merged or were discontinued altogether, it was easier to find those midlist books. Today the major publishers dominate, and they are focusing almost solely on the big blockbusters.
The good news is that smaller houses have stepped in to keep these books available. They do modest print runs and seem to operate more economically.
Here is a sampling of what is available: (The annotations are from the respective websites.)
Hardcase Crime
“Hard Case Crime brings you the best in hardboiled crime fiction, ranging from lost noir masterpieces to new novels by today’s most powerful writers. These books feature stunning original cover art in the grand pulp style.�
“Authors include award-winning modern masters like Stephen King, Max Allan Collins, Ed McBain, and Donald E. Westlake; Golden-Age pulp stars like Erle Stanley Gardner, Donald Hamilton, and Wade Miller.�
Midnight Ink an imprint of Llewellyn Publications.
“Midnight Ink is a fresh new voice in mystery fiction committed to publishing suspenseful tales of all types: hard-boiled thrillers, cozies, historical mysteries, amateur sleuth novels, and more. Remember, it’s always midnight somewhere.� Authors include Kit Frazier, J.B. Stanley, Chuck Zito, A. J. Diehl, and Tom Schreck.
Perseverance Press an imprint of Daniel & Daniel Publishers.
“Since fall 1999, Perseverance Press has published new mysteries by established authors in the mainstream tradition of the Golden Age. Our efforts have been rewarded by critical praise and several award nominations.“ Authors include Lev Raphael, Taffy Cannon, Janet LaPierre, Jon L. Breen, Kathy Lynn Emerson. and Jeanne M. Dams.
Poisoned Pen Press
“Poisoned Pen Press is an independent publisher specializing in publishing high-quality works in the field of mystery. We are interested in publishing books that we think booksellers everywhere and especially independent booksellers would want to have available to sell.�
Authors include Robert Barnard, Kit Ehrman, Mary Anna Evans, Kerry Greenwood, Peter May, Twist Phelan and Paco Ignacio Taibo II.
Five Star an imprint of Gale “Five Star Mysteries are standard print, first editions from award- winning authors as well as up-and-coming authors of the Mystery genre. These hardcover first editions will consist of new novels and short story collections plus novels that have been restored from original typescripts. 4 titles a month.”
Recent titles are by by Helen Macie Osterman, Diane Fanning, Russ Hall, Lillian Stewart Carl, Christine T. Jorgensen, Thomas J. Keevers, Michael McCulloch and Don D’Ammassa.
Rue Morgue Press “The Rue Morgue Press began operation in 1997, dedicated to the idea of reprinting what we like to call “mysteries for little old ladies of all ages and sexes.â€? Which is just another way of saying that our specialty is the traditional mystery which first came to prominence during the Golden Age of detective fiction (1920-1940).”
Recent titles include reprints of titles by Michael Gilbert, Catherine Aird, Glyn Carr, Stuart Palmer, and Constance & Gwenyth Little.
Soho Crime “The SOHO CRIME series includes hardcover and paperback novels featuring foreign settings and unusual investigators. Recent highlights: THIRTY-THREE TEETH by Colin Cotterill won the 2006 Dilys Award.”
Authors include Peter Lovesy, Garry Disher, Colin Cotterill, Grace Brophy, and Helene Tursten.
PointBlank an imprint of Wildside Press “Established in early 2004 POINTBLANK is an imprint of Wildside Press. We specialize in publishing cutting edge fiction and non-fiction: crime, mystery, and otherwise.”
Authors include Russell James, Rob Kantner, Charles Kelly, James Reasoner and James Sallis.
