What's Happening?
Quite Literally Books, founded by Lisa Endo Cooper and Bremond Berry MacDougall in 2022, is dedicated to republishing out-of-print works by American women authors. The imprint has successfully published six titles, including works by Charlotte Perkins
Gilman and Dorothy Canfield Fisher. The founders, who had no prior publishing experience, are driven by a passion for rediscovering and sharing literary works that have fallen into obscurity. They focus on authors who were once well-regarded but have since been largely forgotten. The imprint's mission is to challenge the existing literary canon and bring these works to a new audience.
Why It's Important?
The initiative by Quite Literally Books highlights a growing interest in reviving forgotten literature, particularly works by women authors who have been historically underrepresented. This effort not only enriches the literary landscape by diversifying the voices and stories available to readers but also challenges the traditional literary canon. By focusing on these neglected works, the imprint contributes to a broader cultural movement that values historical literary contributions and seeks to rectify past oversights. This can have significant implications for the publishing industry, encouraging other publishers to explore similar projects.
What's Next?
Quite Literally Books plans to continue its mission by seeking out more forgotten works and potentially expanding its catalog. The founders hope to receive more submissions from individuals who have manuscripts or know of works that deserve a second life. They also aim to overcome distribution challenges, such as gaining access to platforms like Bookshop.org, to increase their reach and support independent bookstores. The imprint's success could inspire similar initiatives, leading to a broader revival of forgotten literature.
