Photo by Andre Kertesz from the book On Reading.
Dear Readers,
Independent bookstores and small presses have always depended on communities of readers willing to seek out new voices and unexpected ideas. When Small Press Distribution suddenly closed after 55 years in business, nearly 400 independent publishers lost one of their main ways of reaching bookstores and readers. It was a reminder of how fragile—and how important—independent literary culture can be.
Fortunately, distributors like Asterism, Consortium, IPS, and PGW, along with university presses, have helped keep many independent titles in circulation. Book Beat remains committed to supporting the publishers, writers, translators, and artists who continue to take creative risks outside the mainstream.
We also want to recognize Tom Bowden for his ongoing dedication to reviewing small press books. For years, Tom has helped shine a light on independent publishers and overlooked authors with intelligence, generosity, and genuine curiosity. His reviews are a labor of love, and we’re grateful for his voice and continued support of independent literature.
We invite you to stop by and see our Pride Month window display, created to celebrate books, voices, and lives that matter in every season. And with Father’s Day coming up, we’ve put together a thoughtful selection of books for dads, grandfathers, and father figures.
If you’re looking for something personal and unexpected, we’d love to help. Book Beat remains proudly an Amazon Free Zone, supporting privacy, community, and a book culture shaped by people—not algorithms.
This month we hope you’ll join us as we continue to advocate for local writers, free speach, independent publishing, and the communities that help keep book culture alive.
Warmly,
~Cary, Colleen and the Staff at Book Beat
Read, Think, Create.
COMING EVENTS
June 17: Frank Anthony Polito at Hazel Park Memorial Library
June 20: St. Clair Shores Lit Walk with Charles Baxter, Josh Malerman, Wow Town and more!
June 25: Historian Scott Ellsworth at the Southfield LIbrary
Save the date! Saturday, June 27 6:30-8:00 PM Sandra Cady will present her first novel: A Game of Luck: A Sam Roma Mystery (that takes place in Detroit!)
Selections from the Backroom Gallery
Our Backroom gallery is an online shop where you can find rare, signed, and unusual artist books and artist designed books, original photographs, artworks, and ephemera. With the recent help of Sean Beiri who is cataloging instore and at home, we are adding inventory daily. We also have strong sections of Detroit history, African American art, and out-of-print and signed Children’s books. Books are available for ordering online or instore.
Sun Ra exhibition posters by Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. (set of two)