2025: A Year of Momentum and Meaning

When we look back on 2025, what stands out most is not a single milestone, but a sense of continuity. This was a year where the work connected—where one decision reinforced the next, and where progress felt cumulative instead of scattered. Huntsville Independent Press clarified itself this year. That clarity made growth not only sustainable, but unstoppable as well.

At the start of the year, we were already publishing meaningful books, but we knew the systems supporting them could be stronger. Publishing is not only about what reaches the shelf, but about how confidently it gets there. In 2025, we focused on strengthening the invisible infrastructure that authors rely on but rarely see. The result was a year defined by steadier momentum and fewer points of friction.

Editorial development remained the cornerstone of that effort. Over the course of the year, Huntsville Independent Press completed 15 editorial projects, each benefiting from earlier alignment and clearer expectations. By investing more time at the beginning of each project, we reduced uncertainty later in the process. This mattered because strong editing is not only about improving a manuscript, but about giving authors confidence in the integrity of the final work.

The books released in 2025 reflected this editorial discipline. We published 9 new titles, each selected with a clear audience and long-term relevance in mind. Rather than focusing on volume alone, we emphasized fit—between author, subject, and readership. This approach allowed books to build traction steadily, reinforcing the idea that lasting success rarely arrives all at once.

Across formats, over 1,800 copies were printed and distributed throughout the year, reaching readers in at least 18 states. A growing share of these books found homes through independent bookstores, libraries, schools, and regional institutions. That mattered deeply to us, because these are the spaces where books are recommended, revisited, and shared. Distribution rooted in relationship builds trust that advertising alone cannot.

Several titles emerged as best-sellers and defining projects for the year. Each succeeded on its own terms, yet all shared the same foundation of careful editorial work, intentional production, and reader respect:

• I Lead Me by John Bentley

• The Thorn and the Rose by LJ Henley

• Orange Crush: The Neglected 1971 Houston Astros by Samuel Barrett

• The Ohio Kids Meet the Chillicothe Ghosts by Logan Lyon

• Life Is Best Served Sober by Grant Rolley

These books mattered not only because they sold well, but because they demonstrated the range of what Huntsville Independent Press can support. Fiction, nonfiction, children’s literature, memoir, and regional history all found momentum under the same publishing philosophy. For authors considering where their work belongs, this breadth signals flexibility without compromise. For readers, it reinforces confidence in the press as a curator of meaningful work.

Our author community continued to grow in both size and depth. In 2025, we welcomed 36 new authors for a total of 44 under contract, while 96% of authors with new projects chose to publish again with HIP. A significant portion of new projects arrived through referral, which we consider one of the most meaningful indicators of trust. This momentum matters because strong presses are built through relationships, not transactions.

We also invested more intentionally in communication and transparency with our authors. Timelines were clearer, roles better defined, and expectations more openly discussed. This did not eliminate the challenges inherent in publishing, but it made them navigable to a much higher degree. By the end of the year, authors were better prepared for the realities of the process and more confident in their partnership with the press.

Wisteria Bloom Editions, our children’s imprint, experienced a year of meaningful definition and growth. Rather than expanding quickly, the imprint focused on refining its identity within children’s publishing. Editorial standards, and narrative tone were treated with the same seriousness applied to our adult catalog. This approach positioned Wisteria Bloom Editions as a home for children’s books designed to be returned to.

The Ohio Kids Meet the Chillicothe Ghosts became a standout title for the imprint and an important milestone for the year. Its success reflected a belief that children respond to stories that respect their intelligence and curiosity. Families, educators, and young readers connected with its sense of place and imagination. For us, it confirmed that patience and care are visible even to the youngest audiences.

On the distribution front, our Southeastern Distribution Network took decisive steps forward. In 2025, SDN evolved from an emerging concept into a functioning regional system designed to serve bookstores and institutions reliably. Growth was intentional, favoring quality and consistency over speed. This mattered because dependable distribution strengthens every author we publish.

A critical factor in SDN’s progress was our strategic partnership with Rocky Heights Print and Binding in Birmingham, Alabama. This collaboration grounded production and logistics within a regional ecosystem defined by accountability and responsiveness. Faster reprints, tighter quality control, and improved inventory management became possible as a result. For authors and retailers alike, this translated into confidence and reliability.

Financially, the year reflected healthy, disciplined growth. Gross revenue increased by 601%. The average revenue per title also rose. Improved forecasting and cost controls allowed the press to reinvest thoughtfully. These fundamentals matter because they ensure stability for everyone involved.

Taken together, the accomplishments of 2025 represent more than a successful year. They reflect a press that is growing with intention and momentum that compounds. Huntsville Independent Press enters the coming year with stronger systems, deeper partnerships, and a catalog that continues to prove itself. For authors seeking a publisher committed to both craft and longevity, this year stands as an open invitation.

If we can fit you in ;)