Bella Books
An American independent publisher focused on lesbian literature and related LGBTQ+ fiction.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Bella Books is an independent American publishing house specializing in lesbian literature. The company was incorporated in Michigan in 1999 by Kelly Smith and other investors, emerging from Smith's long association with A Woman's Prerogative Bookstore in Ferndale, Michigan. Its name was taken from Bella, a Jack Russell terrier associated with the bookstore. Bella Books published its first title in 2001 and developed a catalog centered on lesbian fiction, including romance, mystery, speculative fiction, and erotic short-story anthologies. The press expanded its catalog through several acquisitions and rights arrangements. In 2003 it purchased the backstock of Naiad Press, bringing a substantial portion of Jane Rule's backlist into its inventory. In 2004 it acquired the backstock of the defunct Rising Tide Press. The same year, founder Kelly Smith left the company and Linda Hill became chief executive. Hill also led Spinsters Ink and BeanPole Books. In 2005, Bella Books moved its operations from Michigan to Tallahassee, Florida, and obtained distribution rights for New Victoria Press, including works by Sarah Dreher. In 2008 it acquired reprint rights to works by Ellen Hart. Bella Books' publishing program has typically combined new trade paperback releases with reprints of established titles. Reference material describes an annual output of approximately 24 to 30 trade paperbacks, alongside classic reissues, with more than 300 titles in print at the time described. Its author list has included writers such as Katherine V. Forrest, Nancy Garden, Ellen Hart, Gerri Hill, Karin Kallmaker, Claire McNab, Jeanne Córdova, Heather Rose Jones, and Emma Pérez. The catalog has helped maintain access to lesbian fiction in genres that have historically received limited attention from larger commercial publishers. The company's reach has extended beyond the United States through licensing and translation arrangements. Selected English-language titles have been distributed in France through KTM Editions and Editions Dans L'Engrenage, in Germany through Verlag Krug, in Spain through Egales, and in the Czech Republic through LePress. Some Bella Books titles have also been selected for hardcover publication by InsightOut Book Club, a division of Quality Paperback Book Club. By 2012, distribution for smaller feminist and LGBTQ+ publishers had become a major part of Bella Books' business, supplementing its own publishing list. The press has also had a significant presence in LGBTQ+ literary recognition: more than 100 titles in its catalog have reportedly been shortlisted for or won Lambda Literary Awards or Golden Crown Literary Society Awards. In 2004, Bella Books received the Lambda Literary Foundation's Independent LGBT Press Award. Bella Books remains best understood as a specialist literary publisher whose identity is tied to lesbian fiction, preservation of older works, and distribution within feminist and LGBTQ+ publishing networks.
History
Bella Books was established in Michigan in 1999 by Kelly Smith and other investors. The company grew out of Smith's longstanding relationship with A Woman's Prerogative Bookstore in Ferndale, a store associated with lesbian and feminist bookselling. The publishing house took its name from Bella, a Jack Russell terrier connected with the bookstore. Its first publication appeared in 2001, establishing the press as a specialist publisher of lesbian fiction. The early catalog concentrated on fiction written for lesbian readers, particularly romance, mystery, speculative fiction, and erotic short-story collections. Rather than limiting itself to new manuscripts, Bella Books also developed a role in preserving and circulating older works. In 2003 it acquired the backstock of Naiad Press, including much of Jane Rule's backlist. The following year it purchased the backstock of Rising Tide Press after that publisher ceased operating. These transactions expanded Bella's inventory and strengthened its position as a custodian of lesbian publishing history. A leadership transition took place in 2004, when Smith departed and Linda Hill became chief executive. Hill also served as chief executive of Spinsters Ink and BeanPole Books, linking Bella Books with a broader network of feminist and specialty publishing. In 2005, Hill moved Bella Books to Tallahassee, Florida. That year the company also acquired distribution rights for New Victoria Press, including books by Sarah Dreher. In 2008 it obtained reprint rights to works by Ellen Hart, further extending its role in bringing established lesbian writers to new readers. The company's publishing model combined original trade paperbacks with reprints. Sources describe a typical annual program of roughly 24 to 30 new trade paperback releases, in addition to reissues of classic titles, and a catalog exceeding 300 titles in print during the period documented. Authors associated with the catalog include Rhiannon Argo, Nikki Baker, Jessie Chandler, Jeanne Córdova, Lea Daley, Katherine V. Forrest, Nancy Garden, Rachel Gold, Ellen Hart, Gerri Hill, Heather Rose Jones, Karin Kallmaker, K. G. MacGregor, Robbi McCoy, Claire McNab, Catherine Maiorisi, M. B. Panichi, Joanne Passet, and Emma Pérez. Bella Books also built an international rights and distribution presence. Selected books first published in English-speaking markets were translated or distributed in France, Germany, Spain, and the Czech Republic through local publishing partners. Some titles were licensed for hardcover editions by InsightOut Book Club, a Quality Paperback Book Club division. By 2012, distribution for small feminist and LGBTQ+ publishers represented a major part of the company's business, alongside its own editorial program. The press has had notable recognition in LGBTQ+ literary circles. More than 100 titles from its catalog have reportedly been finalists for or winners of Lambda Literary Awards or Golden Crown Literary Society Awards. Bella Books itself received the Lambda Literary Foundation's Independent LGBT Press Award in 2004. Its historical importance lies in combining new lesbian genre fiction with backlist acquisition, reprinting, and specialist distribution at a time when lesbian literature often depended on small and community-oriented presses.
- 2012
Distribution becomes a major business activity
[1]Distribution for smaller feminist and LGBTQ+ publishers is described as a leading part of Bella Books' business.
- 2008
Ellen Hart reprint rights are acquired
[1]The press acquires reprint rights to works by author Ellen Hart.
- 2005
Operations move to Florida
[1]Bella Books relocates to Tallahassee and acquires distribution rights for New Victoria Press, including works by Sarah Dreher.
- 2004
Leadership changes and Rising Tide backstock is acquired
[1]Kelly Smith leaves the company, Linda Hill becomes chief executive, and Bella Books acquires the backstock of defunct Rising Tide Press.
- 2004
Independent LGBT Press Award
[1]The Lambda Literary Foundation gives Bella Books its Independent LGBT Press Award.
- 2003
Naiad Press backstock is acquired
[1]Bella Books purchases Naiad Press backstock, including most of the publisher's Jane Rule backlist.
- 2001
First title is published
[1]Bella Books begins publishing with a primary focus on lesbian fiction.
- 1999
Bella Books is incorporated in Michigan
[1]Kelly Smith and other investors establish the publishing company in Michigan, building on Smith's connection with A Woman's Prerogative Bookstore.
Products and positioning
A specialist independent press serving lesbian readers and authors, with an emphasis on genre fiction, literary continuity, backlist preservation, and distribution within feminist and LGBTQ+ publishing.
Fiction · 2001
Lesbian romance fiction
Bella Books publishes romance novels centered on lesbian characters and relationships. These books form part of the press's core genre program and are offered alongside mystery, speculative, and literary fiction for lesbian readers.
Fiction · 2001
Lesbian mystery fiction
The mystery list includes crime and detective fiction written for or featuring lesbian audiences. The category reflects Bella Books' strategy of applying familiar commercial genres to a specialist lesbian publishing identity.
Fiction · 2001
Lesbian speculative fiction
Bella Books publishes speculative fiction with lesbian protagonists, themes, and readership in mind. The category broadens the press beyond contemporary romance and mystery into imaginative and genre-based narratives.
Anthologies · 2001
Erotic short-story anthologies
The press has published anthologies of erotic short fiction, contributing to its broader lesbian fiction and adult-literature list.
Reprints · 2003
Classic-title reprints
Reprints are a central part of Bella Books' catalog strategy. Acquisitions and rights agreements have enabled the company to keep significant lesbian and feminist literary works in circulation, including titles connected with Naiad Press, Jane Rule, New Victoria Press, and Ellen Hart.
Publishing services
Specialist publishing distribution
Bella Books has distributed books for smaller feminist and LGBTQ+ publishers in addition to issuing its own titles. By 2012, this distribution activity was described as a major component of the business.
Brand decisions
2008
Acquisition of Ellen Hart reprint rightsGeneration changeBackground
The press continued building a catalog that combined new releases with reprints by established authors.
Action taken
Bella Books acquired reprint rights to Ellen Hart's works.
Aftermath
The agreement added another established author's backlist to the company's reprint program.
2005
Expansion into New Victoria Press distributionStrategyBackground
Bella Books was expanding its role beyond publishing its own list and into specialist distribution.
Action taken
The company acquired distribution rights for New Victoria Press, including works by Sarah Dreher.
Aftermath
The arrangement broadened Bella Books' distribution portfolio within feminist and LGBTQ+ publishing.
2004
Acquisition of Rising Tide Press backstockM&ABackground
Rising Tide Press had ceased operating, leaving its existing inventory available for acquisition.
Action taken
Bella Books bought the defunct press's backstock.
Aftermath
The acquisition added further lesbian and feminist publishing inventory to Bella Books' catalog.
2003
Acquisition of Naiad Press backstockM&ABackground
Naiad Press had an important lesbian literature backlist, including works by Jane Rule.
Action taken
Bella Books purchased the backstock and incorporated the books into its inventory and reprint-oriented catalog strategy.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded Bella Books' holdings and helped preserve access to established lesbian literature.
Recent events
- 2005
Bella Books moves operations to Tallahassee[1]
Other
The press relocated from Michigan to Tallahassee, Florida, under Linda Hill's leadership.
- 2004
Bella Books receives Independent LGBT Press Award[1]
Other
The Lambda Literary Foundation recognized Bella Books with its Independent LGBT Press Award.
- 2004
Linda Hill takes leadership of Bella Books[1]
Leadership change
Founder Kelly Smith left the company, and Linda Hill became chief executive.
Sources2 sources
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