7 Indie Publishers for People Who Miss The Joy of Cities

posted by Si Cunningham May 11, 2020

Lockdown has changed modern urban life forever and forced us to re-evaluate the way we use our towns and cities. While the human tragedy of coronavirus must never be understated, those of us with an interest in urban environments will be understandably interested in how our cities respond to prolonged social distancing and innovate to create better civic spaces.

Indie publishers and their specialist authors have always been well placed to celebrate and dissect modern city life with forensic, often fanatical, skill. Only the independent sector can understand the subtle nuances, niche subject matters, and frequent eccentricities that make cities such glorious and fascinating places. So whether you miss your own city, or pine for a day when you can discover another again, here’s 7 perfect publishers to tickle your inner townie…

Lost InYou really shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but it’s obvious from Lost In’s beautiful bespoke books that their city guides won’t be recommending trips to Madame Tussauds or TGI Fridays. These independent guides are true celebrations of city life from people who know that the best nights out often involve trips to the scariest neighbourhoods. Enjoy fantasising about when you’re allowed to play out properly again in some of the world’s greatest cities.

The ModernistIf you have an unhealthy obsession with Preston Bus Station or Manchester’s post-war precincts, don’t worry, there are others like you. The Modernist Society is a membership organisation for those with an appreciation of modern architecture, design, and concrete, and they publish a wicked selection of zines, photobooks and other publications under their Modernist brand.

RIBAThe Royal Institute of British Architecture (RIBA) has its own publishing arm – RIBA Publishing – for those interested in placemaking and urban design. While many of their technical publications are aimed at working practitioners, you don’t have to be an architect to enjoy some of their award-winning titles focusing on the joys of urban design. Books on ‘healthy placemaking’ will become must-reads in the new age of social distancing.

Blue Crow MediaAn appreciation for good cartography goes hand-in-hand with a love of cities, so peripatetics will enjoy Blue Crow’s collection of obscure urban maps. They’re still publishing and delivering during lockdown, so although you can’t properly pound the streets of your favourite urban sprawl for another few weeks, you can bone-up on them from home.

C20For bona fide urbanites, check out C20 magazine (from the 20th Century Society) – a celebration of modern design and 20th century conservation. C20 are one of the only groups in the UK lobbying for the preservation of brutalism and modernism, so buying their publications supports important work. You can check out their full archive at Antenne – an online cathedral of independent publishing.

Flaneur MagazineCool-as-beans Flaneur takes urban affairs to another level, with each issue of their magazine focusing on a different, single street. Each issue is produced after the team spends two months on location; the end result being an authentic and engaging reportage of a city street’s true complexity.

RouteSheffield-based Route proudly boasts being a “terraced publishing house in the north of England with a commitment to authentic stories and good books”. Although an acclaimed music and culture publisher, much of their content celebrates the eccentricities of modern city life – from an homage to pubs; to a collection of newspaper columns from the Pontefract and Castleford Express.