Bella Books is a

small press A small press is a publisher with annual sales below a certain level or below a certain number of titles published. The terms "indie publisher" and "independent press" and others are sometimes used interchangeably. However, when a distinction ...

publisher of

lesbian literature Lesbian literature is a subgenre of literature addressing lesbian themes. It includes poetry, plays, fiction addressing lesbian characters, and non-fiction about lesbian-interest topics. A similar term is Sapphic love, sapphic literature, encom ...

based in

Tallahassee, Florida Tallahassee ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of and the only incorporated municipality in Leon County, Florida, Leon County. Tallahassee became the capital of Fl ...

History

Kelly Smith, along with other investors, created the corporation in Michigan in 1999 as an outgrowth of Smith's long relationship with ''A Woman's Prerogative Bookstore'' in Ferndale Michigan. Bella Books was named after a Jack Russell terrier who sat court at the bookstore. In 2004, Smith left the company and was replaced by the current chief executive officer Linda Hill, who is also the chief executive officer of Spinsters Ink and BeanPole Books. Hill moved the press to Tallahassee in 2005. Since the publication of its first title in 2001, its primary focus has been on

lesbian fiction Lesbian literature is a subgenre of literature addressing lesbian themes. It includes poetry, plays, fiction addressing lesbian characters, and non-fiction about lesbian-interest topics. A similar term is Sapphic love, sapphic literature, encom ...

. The press publishes lesbian romance, lesbian mystery and lesbian speculative fiction novels and

lesbian erotica Lesbian erotica deals with depictions in the visual arts of lesbianism, which is the expression of female-on-female sexuality. Lesbianism has been a theme in erotic art since at least the time of ancient Rome, and many regard depictions of lesb ...

short-story anthologies. In 2003, it bought the backstock of

Naiad Press Naiad Press (1973–2003) was an American publishing company, one of the first dedicated to lesbian literature. At its closing it was the oldest and largest lesbian/feminist publisher in the world. History Naiad Press was founded by partners Barba ...

, including the majority of the backlist for

Jane Rule Jane Vance Rule (28 March 1931 – 27 November 2007) was a Canadian-American writer of lesbian-themed works. Her first novel, '' Desert of the Heart'', appeared in 1964, when gay activity was still a criminal offence. It turned Rule into a r ...

. In 2004, it bought the backstock of defunct

Rising Tide Press Rising or RISING may refer to: Film and TV * "Rising", 2001 television series episode, see list of ''Dark Angel'' episodes * "Rising" (''Stargate Atlantis''), television series episode * ''Rising'' (web series), an American daily news and opini ...

. In 2005, it acquired distribution rights for New Victoria Press, including the works of Sarah Dreher. In 2008, it acquired reprint rights to the work of

Ellen Hart Ellen Hart (born August 10, 1949) is the award-winning mystery author of the Jane Lawless and Sophie Greenway series. Born in Maine, she was a professional chef for 14 years. Hart's mysteries include culinary elements similar to those of Diane ...

. A typical production year includes 24-30 trade paperback releases as well as reprints of classic titles. Total titles in print exceeds 300. Titles first appearing in English-speaking markets are translated for distribution in France ( KTM Editions,

Editions Dans L'Engrenage Edition may refer to: * Edition (book), a bibliographical term for a substantially similar set of copies * Edition (printmaking), a publishing term for a set print run * Edition (textual criticism), a particular version of a text * Edition Records ...

), Germany ( Verlag Krug), Spain ( Egales) and the Czech Republic ( LePress). Some titles are also acquired for hardcover editions by

InsightOut Book Club Book of the Month (founded 1926) is a United States subscription-based e-commerce service that offers a selection of five to seven new hardcover books each month to its members. Books are selected and endorsed by a panel of judges, and members ch ...

, a division of the

Quality Paperback Book Club Book of the Month (founded 1926) is a United States subscription-based e-commerce service that offers a selection of five to seven new hardcover books each month to its members. Books are selected and endorsed by a panel of judges, and members ch ...

. By 2012, the biggest part of the business was in distribution for small feminist and LGBT publishers.

Awards

More than one hundred of its catalog titles have been shortlisted or have won

Lambda Literary Award Lambda Literary Awards, also known as the "Lammys", are awarded yearly by Lambda Literary Foundation, Lambda Literary to recognize the crucial role LGBTQ+ writers play in shaping the world. The Lammys celebrate the very best in LGBTQ+ literatur ...

s or

Golden Crown Literary Society Golden Crown Literary Society (GCLS) is an American nonprofit organization established in 2004 for those with an interest in Sapphism, Sapphic literature. Since 2005, GCLS has at its annual conference presented Golden Crown Literary Awards (Go ...

Awards, and in 2004 it won the

Lambda Literary Foundation The Lambda Literary Foundation (also known as Lambda Literary) is an American LGBTQ literary organization whose mission is to nurture and advocate for LGBTQ writers, elevating the impact of their words to create community, preserve their legaci ...

's ''Independent LGBT Press Award''.

Notable authors

Notable authors include: *

Rhiannon Argo Rhiannon () is a protagonist (main character) of the Mabinogi, in its First and Third Branches. She originates only in these prose tales, with just a couple of references in 14thC mediaeval Welsh poetry, and none in the ''Trioedd''/ Welsh Triad ...

* Nikki Baker *

Jessie Chandler Jessie Chandler (born August 16, 1968) is an American author of mystery and humorous caper fiction, most of which is about lesbian protagonists. Her work includes the Shay O'Hanlon Caper Series, many short stories, and other novels. Chandler has ...

Jeanne Córdova Jeanne Córdova (July 18, 1948 – January 10, 2016) was an American writer and supporter of the lesbian and gay rights movement, founder of '' The Lesbian Tide'', and a founder of the West Coast LGBT movement. A former Catholic nun, Córdova w ...

* Lea Daley"The 27th Annual Lambda Literary Award Finalists"

, March 4, 2015. *

Katherine V. Forrest Katherine V. Forrest (born 1939) is a Canadian-born American writer, best known for her novels about lesbian police detective Kate Delafield. Her books have won and been finalists for Lambda Literary Award twelve times, as well as other awards. S ...

Nancy Garden Nancy Garden (May 15, 1938 – June 23, 2014) was an American writer of fiction for children and young adults, best known for the lesbian novel ''Annie on My Mind''. She received the 2003 Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Associat ...

Rachel Gold ''Being Emily'' is a 2012 novel by Rachel Gold. Gold, who has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Religious Studies from Macalester College and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Hamline University, spent a decade as a print reporter in the LGB ...

* Gerri Hill * Heather Rose Jones *

Karin Kallmaker Karin Kallmaker (born 1960) is an American author of lesbian fiction whose works also include those originally written under the name Laura Adams. Her writings span lesbian romance, lesbian erotica, and lesbian science-fiction/fantasy. Dubbed th ...

KG MacGregor KG MacGregor (aka Sue A. Greer, born October 22, 1955) is an American writer of lesbian fiction. She has authored over two dozen lesbian romance novels, collecting a Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Romance and nine Goldie Awards from the Gold ...

* Robbi McCoy *

Claire McNab Claire Carmichael (1940 – 2022), also known by her pen name Claire McNab, was an Australian writer born in Melbourne. While pursuing a career as a high school teacher in Sydney, she began her writing career with comedy plays and textbooks. She ...

* Catherine Maiorisi * MB Panichi *

Joanne Passet Joanne Passet is an American historian, teacher, librarian, and writer. She is a professor emeritus at Indiana University, where she taught history, and previously, library and information science. She has two doctorates, and is best known for tw ...

Emma Pérez Emma Pérez is an American author and professor, known for her work in queer Chicana feminist studies. Biography Pérez was born in El Campo, Texas in October 25, 1954. In 1979, she received an undergraduate degree in political science and wom ...

Diana Simmonds Diana Simmonds is an Australian journalist and arts critic, currently the editor and proprietor of Stagenoise.com. Life Simmonds was born in London, England and moved with her family to Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is ...

Notes

References

External links