Freight Books was an independent publisher based in Glasgow. It published books for an English speaking readership,[1] including award-winning literary fiction, poetry, illustrated non-fiction and humour.[2] Freight Books was named Scotland's Publisher of the Year 2015[3] by the Saltire Society.[4] Freight Books published the debut novel of Martin Cathcart Froden, the winner of the 2015 Dundee International Book Prize.[5]
The company was founded as an imprint of Freight Design by Adrian Searle in 2011. The publisher increased its output each year, at its peak publishing 35 titles in 2016,[6] with notable publications including Gutter magazine, a Scottish magazine of new writing established in 2009 (and still in existence), Jellyfish by Janice Galloway and the international bestseller The Hairdresser of Harare by Tendai Huchu.[7][8]
Freight Books acquired Cargo Publishing in September 2015.[9][10]
In April 2017 Searle left the business citing "differences over strategic direction" between himself and fellow director Davinder Samrai.[11] Two months later Freight Books was offered for sale through the Publishing Scotland website.[12] The company was finally liquidated that December and it disappeared from the Scottish Publishing scene after failing to find a suitable buyer. Authors left the publishing house with unpaid royalties.[13]