CB Editions to wind down operations

Indie publisher CB Editions is to wind down its operations this year, as founder and sole member of staff Charles Boyle goes into semi-retirement.

CB Editions has published 57 titles since it was launched by Boyle in 2007. Going forward the publisher will deliver the "occasional" book - with a new Jack Robinson book this year, for instance - but "without committing to the marketing and publicity that are necessary if the books are to reach as wide a readership as possible".

In a newsletter explaining the decision, Boyle said: "Since 2007 CBe has been a one-person freelance activity, easily the most enjoyable one I’ve ever had. But fifty-odd books in print is as far as that model can stretch, and I appear to be unsuited to any other, so CBe is going into semi-retirement. No new titles have been taken on for 2017.

"A part of the fun has been proving – to myself as much as anyone – what can be done with little money and no funding. Extracurricular activities have included, in 2011, a London book fair for poetry presses (now an annual event) and a pop-up shop in Portobello Road for a week in 2013. Should I mention the gongs? CBe titles have won the McKitterick Prize, the Scott Moncrieff Translation Prize and the Aldeburgh First Collection Prize (three times), and have been shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize, the Guardian First Book Award, the Forward main prize (twice) and the Forward first collection Prize (four times) and more."

He added: "Quite simply, I’ve had a ball, and met extraordinary people, and for every single purchase of every book I am truly grateful to readers."

The website will remain active and all books in print will continue to be sold through the website and distributor, Central Books.