Necropolitan Press
Necropolitan Press is an American independent small press specializing in horror, science fiction, dark fantasy, and unconventional speculative fiction.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Necropolitan Press was an independent American publishing imprint founded in 1993 by editor and author Jeffrey Thomas. It emerged during a period when small-press publishing was attracting substantial interest among writers, editors, and readers of specialist fiction. Thomas, inspired by the possibilities of the small-press field, created the imprint to publish work that conventional commercial houses were unlikely to handle. The name combined a metropolitan-sounding form with a macabre tone, reflecting the press's orientation toward horror and other forms of dark or unusual literature. The imprint's first major project was The End, a fiction anthology magazine. The title appeared approximately annually and ran for four issues under the Necropolitan Press imprint, with a fifth issue produced jointly with New York artist Jon C. Gernon's Zero Publishing. During the magazine's run, it reached readers through both catalog sales and newsstand distribution. This was an important aspect of its early model, since internet-based distribution was not yet a practical primary channel for small publishers. Beginning in 1995, Necropolitan Press expanded beyond its magazine program into single-author collections, chapbooks, and anthologies. Its first such release was Thomas's own The Bones of the Old Ones and Other Lovecraftian Tales. The press generally operated at a small scale, often issuing roughly one non-magazine title per year and maintaining limited print runs. One example cited in reference material is Jeff VanderMeer's The Hoegbotton Guide to the Early History of Ambergris, by Duncan Shriek, which was produced in an edition of 300 copies. This limited-edition approach positioned the imprint within the specialist literary and genre-press ecosystem, where scarcity, distinctive design, and unusual subject matter were part of the appeal. Necropolitan Press stopped producing new releases in 2001. Jeffrey Thomas later explained that the venture had placed financial and time demands on him and that he wanted to concentrate more fully on his own writing. He nevertheless described publishing as rewarding, particularly the experience of connecting unconventional authors with readers seeking work outside the mainstream. The imprint's possible revival was discussed in late 2007 and formally announced in 2008. The proposed relaunch involved Nick Curtis, an admirer of Thomas's work who had developed the official website and related online community for Thomas. Curtis's design experience and willingness to share the operational burden were intended to address some of the financial, administrative, and time pressures that had contributed to the earlier shutdown. Thomas was identified as Publisher and Editorial Director, while Curtis served as Assistant Publisher and Design Director. The relaunch was expected to begin with Paul G. Tremblay's novella The Harlequin & The Train, announced in March and April 2008. The available reference material confirms the historical cessation of new releases in 2001 and the announced return in 2008, but does not establish the imprint's subsequent publishing activity or present-day operating status. Necropolitan Press is therefore best understood as a historically significant independent genre imprint whose documented output spans small-run magazines, chapbooks, author collections, and anthologies.
History
Jeffrey Thomas founded Necropolitan Press in 1993 after becoming interested in the expanding small-press publishing scene. The imprint was designed as a home for fiction with a strong horror or speculative element, including work described as science fiction, dark fantasy, and “the Unclassifiable.” Thomas selected the name for its combination of a metropolitan cadence and a distinctly macabre implication. At the time of the press's formation, Thomas worked as a paste-up artist in a print shop. He used the facilities and materials available during work breaks to prepare early releases by hand, assembling pages on a light table with an X-Acto knife and wax. This production method reflected the low-budget, hands-on character of the small-press environment in which Necropolitan Press operated. The first project was The End, a fiction anthology magazine. Four issues were published under the Necropolitan Press imprint, generally at a rate of one issue per year. A fifth issue was produced as a collaboration with Jon C. Gernon's Zero Publishing, an imprint associated with the New York artist. The magazine used catalog sales and newsstand distribution, both of which were meaningful channels for specialist publications at a time when the internet had not yet become a practical mass-distribution platform for small presses. In 1995, Necropolitan Press began issuing single-author collections and anthology chapbooks. The first of these was Thomas's The Bones of the Old Ones and Other Lovecraftian Tales. Thereafter, the imprint typically produced about one non-magazine title per year. Its books were often issued in small quantities, reinforcing the press's specialist and collectible character. Jeff VanderMeer's The Hoegbotton Guide to the Early History of Ambergris, by Duncan Shriek, is cited as having a 300-copy print run. Necropolitan Press ceased producing new releases in 2001. The decision was associated with the financial burden of operating the press and Thomas's wish to devote more time to his own literary work. Thomas later expressed regret about ending the venture, while also emphasizing the satisfaction he had found in publishing work by other authors for readers interested in unusual fiction. A possible revival emerged in discussions during 2007. Nick Curtis, who had supported Thomas's work by creating and maintaining an official website, blog, and forum, proposed helping to bring the imprint back. Curtis's graphic-design capabilities and operational involvement were expected to reduce the workload and financial strain that had affected the first phase. The revived organizational arrangement named Thomas Publisher and Editorial Director and Curtis Assistant Publisher and Design Director. In March 2008, Paul G. Tremblay announced that his novella The Harlequin & The Train was intended for publication by the revived press. Necropolitan Press formally announced its return in April 2008. The available material does not document the complete subsequent publishing record or clarify whether the imprint remained active after the relaunch period. Its status beyond the announced revival is therefore uncertain.
- 2008
Return to publishing is announced
[1]The press announces a renewed publication schedule, planned to begin with Paul G. Tremblay's The Harlequin & The Train.
- 2007
Revival discussions begin
[1]Thomas discusses the possibility of reviving the imprint with assistance from Nick Curtis.
- 2001
Original publishing phase ends
[1]Necropolitan Press stops producing new releases because of financial and time pressures and Thomas's desire to focus on writing.
- 1995
Expansion into books and chapbooks
[1]The imprint starts releasing single-author collections and anthology chapbooks, beginning with Thomas's The Bones of the Old Ones and Other Lovecraftian Tales.
- 1993
Necropolitan Press is founded
[1]Jeffrey Thomas establishes the independent imprint and begins publishing dark speculative fiction.
- 1993
The End begins publication
[1]The End becomes the press's first project, eventually running for five issues, including one produced with Zero Publishing.
Products and positioning
An independent specialist press for low-volume, distinctive, and often dark speculative fiction that falls outside mainstream commercial publishing categories.
fiction anthology magazine · 1993
The End
Necropolitan Press's first publishing project was a fiction anthology magazine issued approximately annually. Four issues appeared directly under the imprint, while a fifth was made in cooperation with Jon C. Gernon's Zero Publishing. The magazine combined catalog and newsstand distribution and represented the press's initial focus on presenting multiple writers within a dark speculative-fiction format.
single-author collection · 1995
The Bones of the Old Ones and Other Lovecraftian Tales
Jeffrey Thomas's collection was the first single-author or anthology-style book released by Necropolitan Press after it expanded beyond The End. Its Lovecraftian subject matter exemplifies the imprint's interest in horror, dark fantasy, and fiction influenced by older traditions of weird literature.
limited-edition speculative-fiction book
The Hoegbotton Guide to the Early History of Ambergris, by Duncan Shriek
A Jeff VanderMeer work published under the fictional author name Duncan Shriek. The title illustrates Necropolitan Press's willingness to issue highly specialized and unconventional literary projects in small quantities; the cited edition consisted of 300 copies.
novella · 2008
The Harlequin & The Train
A novella by Paul G. Tremblay selected as the planned first release for the 2008 revival of Necropolitan Press. It was announced before the relaunch, but the available material does not establish the complete publication details or later status.
Brand decisions
2008
Revive the publishing imprintStrategyBackground
Thomas reconsidered the earlier closure and received a proposal from Nick Curtis, whose design and online-support experience could help reduce the operational burden.
Action taken
The press announced a renewed publishing schedule, with Thomas as Publisher and Editorial Director and Curtis as Assistant Publisher and Design Director.
Aftermath
The planned relaunch was to begin with Paul G. Tremblay's The Harlequin & The Train, but the available references do not document the full results of the revival.
2001
Suspend new publishing activityStrategyBackground
Operating the small press had become financially and personally demanding for Jeffrey Thomas, while he also wanted to prioritize his own writing.
Action taken
Necropolitan Press stopped producing new releases after its initial publishing period.
Aftermath
Thomas later said that he found publishing rewarding and expressed regret about ending the venture.
Recent events
- 2008
Necropolitan Press revival announced[1]
Product launch
The press announced a planned return to publishing, with Paul G. Tremblay's The Harlequin & The Train identified as the first release in the revived schedule.
- 2001
Necropolitan Press ceases new-release production[1]
Other
The imprint stopped producing new releases after financial and time pressures on founder Jeffrey Thomas, who also wished to focus on his writing.
Sources1 sources
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