Atria Books has announced the relaunch of the esteemed Washington Square Press as a frontlist hardcover imprint, with its first releases slated for spring 2025, per publishersweekly.com. This strategic reinvention will shift the focus of Washington Square Press from trade paperback reprints to publishing new, high-quality literary fiction, nonfiction and poetry.
Under the guidance of Atria’s vice president and editorial director Lindsay Sagnette, the imprint will publish four to six books each season.
Sagnette expressed enthusiasm for the relaunch, stating, “We are excited to breathe new life into the storied Washington Square Press imprint, which will now shift its focus from backlist to become an active frontlist publisher. The reinvigorated Washington Square Press will champion exceptional works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry that are essential to the conversations of today. Having a dedicated home for these talented authors is vital as we grow in our mission as a publisher: to publish the best books for every reader.”
The inaugural list for spring 2025 boasts an impressive lineup. It features Warona Jay’s debut novel, “The Grand Scheme of Things” and Alba de Céspedes’s 1958 classic, “There’s No Turning Back”, translated by Ann Goldstein, both arriving in February. March will see the release of Tiana Clark’s sophomore poetry collection, “Scorched Earth,” followed by Heather McGowan’s new novel, “Friends of the Museum,” in April. The season will kick off in January with a reissue of bell hooks’s seminal work, “The Will to Change,” complete with a new introduction by acclaimed author Ross Gay.
Founded in 1959, Washington Square Press has a storied history, having published literary giants such as Pearl S. Buck, Toni Cade-Bambara and Alice Walker. The revamped imprint aims to uphold this legacy by focusing on “exceptional writing; bold, innovative ideas; and under-published voices,” as highlighted in the official release. Upcoming titles will include works by Pria Anand, Tareq Baconi, Alba de Céspedes, Amber Husain, Saeed Jones, Katie Prout, and Elissa Washuta.
