Good Housekeeping Treated Advertisers as Health Experts
Good Housekeeping set itself up as a source of authoritative advice, but included ads for “health” products known to be harmful.
The Business of the Romance Novel
How romance novels—despite their decided lack of cultural clout—became big business for the publishing industry.
Before Blogs, There Were Zines
Zines haven't completely disappeared in the internet age, but the photocopier-powered DIY publishing phenomenon has certainly entered history by now.
America’s Unlikely Cold War Weapon
During the Cold War years, the distribution and selection of American books had to change with changing objectives overseas.
Nineteenth-Century Clickbait
Online publications that offer clickbait and easy entertainment mirror some of the most popular nineteenth century British magazines.
In Praise of Small Presses
Writers have long run their own small presses in order to publish voices that might otherwise stay silent.
A Woman’s Life in Publishing
Anita D. McClellan entered the publishing industry as a secretary, one of the few opportunities available to women at the time. We tell her story.
The Soda Jerk and the Periodical
The history of scientific periodicals starts with Benjamin Silliman's upstart publication.
The First English Books
In the rare book world, the earliest printed books are known as incunables or incunabula.
Small-Press Poets Recognized by the National Book Awards
Small, independent poetry presses are getting attention thanks to the 2014 National Book Award nominations.