An annual rundown on the fastest-growing independent book publishers in the U.S. arrives in the latest issue of Publishers Weekly, reports Andrew Albanese. And while technology is often accounted as the reason for slow-or-no growth in other book publishing sectors, technology is what drives growth the indies, he says.

“Technology has been fueling indies going back to the days of desktop publishing,” Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally. “Thanks to more efficiencies, fueled by digital, we are seeing more writers, and more book publishers able to find the tools they need to make, print and sell their books.

“Books the Big Five or the mini-majors could never take on are now finding their way to readers--from great literary fiction to specialized nonfiction, poetry, politics, religion and kids’ books. What we’re seeing is that indies take chances, fill niches and generally judge their success by how they fulfill their mission rather than by

​t​heir profits--but, as the list shows, the indies are making their fair share of profits, too.”