Being globally focussed, TNPS had not reported often on IPG matters, but expect that to change this year as global publishers increasingly look not to copy western publishing but to see what is adaptable to local conditions.
Independent Publishers Group strengthens independent publishing ecosystem with diverse new partnerships
Independent Publishers Group (IPG), the US book trade’s pioneering independent distributor, has announced six new publisher partnerships that make clear its commitment to specialist publishing across business, children’s, literary fiction, and dark speculative genres.
The additions – Broad Book Group, The Secret Mountain, Schaffner Press, Cranberry Press, RipWater Press, and Ruadán Books – will join IPG’s 600-plus publisher network between February and March 2025.
This expansion follows IPG’s 2021 UK acquisition strategy and reinforces its position as a top-10 supplier to major retail accounts.
Strategic diversification
The new partnerships reflect IPG’s strategic focus on niche markets and author-centric publishing models:
Broad Book Group, a women-owned agency launched in 2020, specialises in businesswomen’s thought leadership titles, while Cranberry Press offers executive-focused publishing services with author retention of copyright and control.
Children’s publisher The Secret Mountain brings 80-plus award-winning titles that integrate music and cross-cultural storytelling, complementing IPG’s existing children’s portfolio.
The Montreal-based press, founded in 2001, has established distribution partnerships across North America and Europe.
Literary and genre expansion
Schaffner Press, a Tucson-based literary independent founded in 2001, adds social consciousness publishing with nearly 100 titles focusing on universal social concerns, including translated works from French and Spanish. The press has built a reputation for literary fiction, memoir, and journalistic narrative.
Dark speculative fiction specialist Ruadán Books, launched in 2024 by former technologist R.B. Wood, represents IPG’s expansion into horror, dark fantasy, and crime fiction. The Boston-based press focuses on character-driven storytelling in emerging genre markets.
Business and finance focus
RipWater Press, founded by financial expert and bestselling author Garrett Gunderson, strengthens IPG’s business and finance publishing capabilities, leveraging the author’s established platform and speaking career.
IPG, founded in 1971 and acquired by Chicago Review Press in 1987, provides comprehensive sales, marketing, and distribution services to independent publishers worldwide. The distributor’s recent portfolio additions demonstrate its continued investment in diverse publishing voices and specialised market segments.
The View From The Beach
Being globally focussed, TNPS had not reported often on IPG matters, but expect that to change this year as global publishers increasingly look not to copy western publishing but to see what is adaptable to local conditions.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
