AK Press

AK Press is a US-based publisher and distributor of anarchist and socialist literature, founded by Ramsey Kanaan and Craig O'Hara. The press is known for publishing works by notable authors such as Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, and Arundhati Roy. AK Press has been a significant contributor to the anarchist movement in the United States, working closely with organizations like the Industrial Workers of the World and the Zapatista Army of National Liberation. The press has also been involved in various social justice movements, including the Occupy Wall Street movement and the Anti-Globalization Movement.

● History

The history of AK Press dates back to the 1980s, when it was founded by Ramsey Kanaan and Craig O'Hara in Stirling, Scotland. Initially, the press focused on publishing pamphlets and zines on anarchist theory and socialist politics. Over the years, AK Press has expanded its operations to the United States, working with authors like Murray Bookchin, John Zerzan, and Starhawk. The press has also been involved in various book fairs and literary festivals, including the London Book Fair and the San Francisco Anarchist Book Fair. AK Press has collaborated with other publishers like PM Press and Verso Books to promote radical literature and support independent publishing. The press has also worked with organizations like the Institute for Anarchist Studies and the Anarchist Federation to promote anarchist education and community organizing.

● Publications

AK Press has published a wide range of books and pamphlets on topics such as anarchist theory, socialist politics, and social justice. Some notable publications include Noam Chomsky's Hegemony or Survival, Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States, and Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things. The press has also published works by authors like Mikhail Bakunin, Peter Kropotkin, and Emma Goldman, as well as contemporary authors like Rebecca Solnit, David Graeber, and Naomi Klein. AK Press has also published books on topics like environmentalism, feminism, and anti-racism, working with authors like Vandana Shiva, Angela Davis, and Cornel West. The press has collaborated with other publishers like South End Press and Common Courage Press to promote progressive literature and support independent publishing.

● Distribution

AK Press distributes its publications through a network of independent bookstores, online retailers, and wholesale distributors. The press also attends book fairs and literary festivals to promote its publications and connect with authors and readers. AK Press has worked with distributors like Ingram Content Group and Baker & Taylor to make its publications available to a wider audience. The press has also partnered with organizations like the Independent Publishers Group and the Publishers Group West to promote independent publishing and support small presses. AK Press has also collaborated with online retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble to make its publications available to a global audience.

● Notable Authors

AK Press has published works by many notable authors, including Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, and Arundhati Roy. Other notable authors published by AK Press include Murray Bookchin, John Zerzan, and Starhawk. The press has also published works by authors like Rebecca Solnit, David Graeber, and Naomi Klein, as well as classic authors like Mikhail Bakunin, Peter Kropotkin, and Emma Goldman. AK Press has worked with authors from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, including feminist authors like Angela Davis and Vandana Shiva, and anti-racist authors like Cornel West and Tim Wise. The press has also published works by authors like Ward Churchill, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, and Andrea Smith, who have written on topics like indigenous rights and social justice.

● Controversies

AK Press has been involved in several controversies over the years, including criticism for publishing works by authors with controversial views. The press has been accused of promoting anti-Semitism and homophobia through some of its publications, although these accusations have been denied by the press. AK Press has also been involved in disputes with other publishers and authors, including a lawsuit with PM Press over copyright infringement. The press has also faced criticism for its handling of financial and organizational issues, including allegations of mismanagement and lack of transparency. Despite these controversies, AK Press remains a prominent and respected publisher of radical literature and social justice materials, working with organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Lawyers Guild to promote free speech and social justice.

● Operations

AK Press is operated by a collective of volunteers and staff who work together to publish and distribute radical literature. The press is headquartered in Chico, California, and has a warehouse and office in Oakland, California. AK Press also has a mail order service and an online store where customers can purchase publications directly. The press has a strong commitment to social justice and community organizing, and works with organizations like the Industrial Workers of the World and the Zapatista Army of National Liberation to promote anarchist and socialist values. AK Press has also collaborated with other publishers like Verso Books and Haymarket Books to promote progressive literature and support independent publishing. The press has worked with authors like Chris Hedges, Glenn Greenwald, and Jeremy Scahill to publish works on topics like war and peace, surveillance, and national security.