A bunch of great titles are 50% off on the Arcadia site! Here are just a few highlights... if you missed these when they first published, now is a great time to pick them up! Sale titles: tinyurl.com/yb4ajuw6
A reminder that Pawpaw season is approaching! (late August!) A midwestern delicacy beloved by foragers and anyone seeking relief from the industrial food chain. If you’ve ever wanted to do something with this finicky fruit but were hesitant for any reason, now is the time and this is the book!
The Pocket Pawpaw Cookbook
A cookbook and guide to enjoying “America’s best secret fruit”—a rare Midwestern delicacy with a “sunny, electric, and downright tropical” flavor (Serious Eats). They are found in the fleeting, hone...
arcadiapublishing.com
Mati Maldre’s new book of photos published this week! Local paper The Beverly Review put together an article/interview on the process and background. “His work has graced exhibits, articles and brochures for 45 years, and he has been viewed by thousands of people.” Article: tinyurl.com/nhftbwzu
The Architecture of Chicago's Beverly Hills/Morgan Park
The Architecture of Chicago’s Beverly Hills/Morgan Park is the first complete large-format visual record published of these Southwest Side twin communities in Chicago. The historic and significant arc...
tinyurl.com
A wonderful new review by @pittsburghprogress.bsky.social! “Visible at the core of this collection is the importance of building relationships, trust and shared responsibility with the people in our communities who might experience life differently than we do.” Book info: tinyurl.com/mw99v842
Review: 'American Made: Stories of Work from the WPA' connects U.S. readers to our working-class truth
Plus: Read a Q&A with Belt Publishing founder Anne Trubek
pittsburghprogress.com
If you’re in the Chicago area, Mati Maldre’s book launch is next Saturday, August 1, at Bookie’s! Celebrating the launch of Mati’s book of photos documenting the architecture of Beverly Hills/Morgan Park. There will be an author talk and signing! Preorder a copy from their site at the link below.
Book Launch and Signing with Author/Photographer Mati Maldre | Bookie's
Bookie's has been selling books on the South Side since 1989, it is a treasure trove of books from out-of-print titles to the newest bestsellers.
bookiesbookstores.com
Our revival of The 1903 novel The Pit features photos! Had to include one the Chicago Board of Trade, since so much of the book revolves around it and open outcry trading. (One of the few places where it still happens!) Bonus images of the CBOT in 73 and 93! Book info: tinyurl.com/mwst7hwe
Belt will be one of the vendors at the upcoming Inkubator Writing Conference in Cleveland! The free, in person conference takes place Sept. 11 and 12 at the downtown public library. Featuring 40+ free workshops and panels! Going to be a great event, mark the calendars! inkubator.litcleveland.org
Thank you to @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social for including The Pit on the list of their most anticipated books! Our new edition of Frank Norris’ 1903 masterpiece depicts the struggles of marriage, the competitive world of finance, and Chicago in the early 20th C. Book info: tinyurl.com/2cvvj5b5
Our Most Anticipated Books of 2026 Part II - Chicago Review of Books
What a year 2026 is turning out to be for books! Last week we ran our Favorite Books of 2026 (So Far) list, and now that we’ve looked back at all the great books the year has already brought us, it’s ...
chireviewofbooks.com
Happy publication day to American Made! It’s a collection of compelling interviews with people living and working during the Great Depression, from meatpackers in Chicago to fishermen in Massachusetts, farmers in Nebraska, and workers building the New York City subway. So many memorable stories!
American Made
"A mesmerizing combination of voices ... Readers will be hooked." — Publishers WeeklyDuring the Great Depression, out-of-work writers—including Ralph Ellison and other now famous authors— were hired t...
arcadiapublishing.com
Big thanks to everyone that came out and picked up a few books at the Columbus Book Fair last weekend! Such a great event! Knew it would be pretty busy, but the turnout was truly surprising! A few empty spots on the shelves at this point on day two, but some things were selling out!
A reminder that the Columbus book fair is this weekend, Saturday 10:00–6:00 and Sunday 10:00–5:00! I’m not sure what’s greater, the amount of books packed into my car or the enthusiasm I have for said books. Come snag a few!
Columbus Book Festival
Celebrate a community of book lovers at the two-day Columbus Book Festival at Columbus Metropolitan Library's historic Main Library.
columbusbookfestival.org
Thanks to @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social for including American Made on their list of must-reads for July! It’s a great list, check out the others! Publication day is right around the corner, Bastille Day! Get your orders in: tinyurl.com/mu3c6upp
12 Must-Read Books of July 2026 - Chicago Review of Books
It’s a heat wave here in Chicago leading into the Fourth of July! Whether you’re looking for some great outdoor reading or want to beat the heat with a good book, the new releases in July are sure to ...
chireviewofbooks.com
🎧CPL’s July Book of the Month is “Chicago House Music: Culture and Community” by Marguerite L. Harrold! Learn about the icons who shaped the genre and how they transformed social and political turmoil into a worldwide phenomenon. Place a hold: chi.gov/HouseMusic
A highlight from the upcoming American Made collection! A Chicago newsboy describes various tricks of the trade for selling papers/making a few more cents during the Great Depression. More info: tinyurl.com/mu3c6upp
A memorable entry from our upcoming collection, American Made, sees Ralph Ellison finding out about an “invisible man.” Obviously, have to imagine that was impactful! Original scans below. Most other interviews focus on work, but still, a fascinating slice of life! More info: tinyurl.com/mu3c6upp
Can finally talk about this one! Midwest Calling: From First Avenue to the American Football House is available for preorder! Artists, label owners, booking agents and more discuss how Midwestern culture shaped their music and scenes. A dream book for me, the lineup is incredible. Check it out:
Midwest Calling: From First Avenue to the American Football House
Edited by Jeff Leven December 8, 2026Pre-orders now open! A collection of original essays by artists, label owners, and booking agents—from DEVO to The Smashing Pumpkins to Michigander—on how Midweste...
beltpublishing.com
Seeing more and more America 250–themed booklists/promos. American Made is a great alternative pick, one that focuses on a vital but continually overlooked perspective in our history: the candid, compelling stories of working-class Americans. Publishing July 14!
American Made: Stories of Work from the WPA
July 14, 2026 Foreword by Kim KellyEdited by Anne Trubek "A mesmerizing combination of voices ... Readers will be hooked." — Publishers Weekly During the Great Depression, out-of-work writers—includi...
beltpublishing.com
A great new review in @littlevillage.bsky.social! Jessica Cline notes that Fidelity explores timeless & difficult questions, making it “the perfect novel for those coming of age at a time where the world around us is more likely to provide questions than answers.” Book link: tinyurl.com/4db4zu6d
Book Review: 'Fidelity' by Susan Glaspell - Little Village
Earlier this spring, Belt Publishing — an imprint that focuses on books about Rust Belt cities — put Susan Glaspell’s 1915 novel Fidelity back into print with a new introduction by Sarah Blackwood, pr...
littlevillagemag.com
Anna Jameson’s 1837 pencil illustration is one of the best depictions of Saint Mary’s Falls prior to canal construction in the 1850s.
Belt Publishing@beltpublishing.bsky.social · last mo.Our upcoming history Literary Voyagers is a fascinating peek into everyday life around the Great Lakes in the early 1800s. In one section, Anna Jameson visits/illustrates Sault Ste. Marie before the construction of the iconic Soo Locks. It’s changed a bit! More on the book: tinyurl.com/mwbnbh74
Our upcoming history Literary Voyagers is a fascinating peek into everyday life around the Great Lakes in the early 1800s. In one section, Anna Jameson visits/illustrates Sault Ste. Marie before the construction of the iconic Soo Locks. It’s changed a bit! More on the book: tinyurl.com/mwbnbh74
Boston in 50 Maps spotted in the wild at New England Sketch Book! If you’re still looking to snag a copy and want to support a local business (always a good idea), this looks a great option.
It’s officially been deemed Chicago Summer at Belt, with three new Chicago books: A revival of Frank Norris’ The Pit, masterpiece on futures speculation and early 20th C. culture. Mati Maldre’s architectural photo book. A second edition of The Battle of Lincoln Park! All available for preorder!
Pre-Order
New books from Belt Publishing, an award-winning, worker-owned, independent press based in Cleveland, Ohio.
tinyurl.com
Anyone have a good vacation/beach read picked out for this year? I brought @chrisdeville.bsky.social’s “Such Great Heights” along on a short trip and it’s been perfect. If you’re still looking, I think our Revivals are great picks! Great to get lost in for an extended period. tinyurl.com/47ju4bsz
Belt Revivals
Explore a diverse collection of U.S. local history books, featuring photo archives and vintage photographs. Free returns. Free shipping on orders $50+.
tinyurl.com
Just one of the 300+ photos in the upcoming book! This one is definitely a favorite: the Robert Givins castle, currently in use as a Unitarian church. (Some claim it’s haunted… that certainly wouldn’t stop me from looking around a bit.)
Our upcoming photo book by renowned Chicago photographer Mati Maldre is currently on sale! It documents the diverse, historic architecture of two communities in hundreds of duotone photographic plates. (So many incredible Prairie School homes!) Preorder: beltpublishing.com/products/the...
The Architecture of Chicago's Beverly Hills/Morgan Park
Mati MaldreJuly 28, 2026 The Architecture of Chicago’s Beverly Hills/Morgan Park is the first complete large-format visual record published of these Southwest Side twin communities in Chicago. The his...
beltpublishing.com
Big congratulations to @scatterall.bsky.social, who just received this award from the Historical Society of lowa! It’s the Certificate of Merit for the Benjamin F. Shambaugh book award, recognizing the most significant books about Iowa history from last year. More on the book: tinyurl.com/4rw3da9x
Belt will be one of the exhibitors at this year’s Columbus Book Festival! Look for table 33 in the topiary garden marketplace! July 11: 10:00–6:00 July 12: 10:00–5:00 Belt friends @greatfartsoflit.bsky.social, Patrick Wensink, and @brentincolumbus.bsky.social are part of the event as well!
Columbus Book Festival
Celebrate a community of book lovers at the two-day Columbus Book Festival at Columbus Metropolitan Library's historic Main Library.
columbusbookfestival.org
THRILLED to announce this book by @jaykaydee.bsky.social, coming from @beltpublishing.bsky.social in February. Cover by @downpourdw.bsky.social
Great new article by Patty Heyda (author of Radical Atlas of Ferguson, USA) in @us.theconversation.com! Discussing the potential of counter maps, which “rework existing assumptions to expand on the dominant narratives about a place to include viewpoints that were previously excluded.”
Maps are powerful political tools shaping a nation’s past, present and future – counter maps allow everyday people to reclaim the narrative
From who gets to vote to how people travel and where taxpayer dollars are funneled, politicians and urban planners wield maps to control public imagination.
theconversation.com
BOYS COME FIRST, indie publisher's first-ever novel...from a Black Queer debut novelist is a great #PrideMonth reading idea via @beltpublishing.bsky.social, got my 4.5* here: #Booksky 🌈📚 expendablemudge.blogspot.com/2022/05/boys...
BOYS COME FIRST, indie publisher's first-ever novel...from a Black Queer debut novelist
BOYS COME FIRST AARON FOLEY Belt Publishing $17.95 trade paper, available now Rating: 4.5* of five The Publisher Says : Suddenly jo...
expendablemudge.blogspot.com