Humanist Press Becomes First Freethought Publisher of E-Books

On March 23, 2012 Humanist Press became the only publisher in the humanist/freethought/atheist market to offer new titles as e-books, making the electronic format the main focus of the publisher. The move is part of an overall effort by Humanist Press to enter the rapidly growing e-book market. 

Candidate Without a Prayer by atheist activist Herb Silverman will be the first title to be launched by Humanist Press as an e-book. This funny and witty autobiography covers Silverman’s journey from an atheist Jew living in South Carolina to his run for governor in the early ‘90s, despite the state’s constitution forbidding it because he lacked a belief in a “supreme being.”

“The humor and wit in Herb Silverman’s new book will captivate readers and have them laughing out loud,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “His sharp, candid look at running for political office as an atheist in a religiously conservative state will enlighten and entertain believers and nonbelievers alike. We couldn’t be more pleased to have Candidate Without a Prayer set the tone for our new e-book effort.”

Candidate Without a Prayer is a joint publishing project between Humanist Press and Pitchstone Publishing. Pitchstone Publishing will release the hardback version on June 15, 2012.

As the publishing house of the American Humanist Association, Humanist Press has been publishing a wide range of humanist books since 1995, including Eyes Wide Open by best-selling author George Erickson; Humanism As the Next Step by Lloyd and Mary Morain, originally published in 1954 and updated in 1998; and Corliss Lamont’s long-lasting The Philosophy of Humanism, having been in print since 1949 and translated into several languages.

Working with e-publishing software from Impelsys, Humanist Press e-books will take full advantage of the available features, including interactive reader commentary, author videos, and useful web links. E-books from Humanist Press will be available at all the major online sites, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Books, and Apple iBooks. They will also be available from our own website: www.humanistpress.com.

Upcoming Humanist Press titles will include Hope in Small Doses by Nikki Stern, author of Because I Say So: The Dangerous Appeal of Moral Authority (Bascom Hill, May 2010); Damned Good Company, by lawyer Luis Granados; and Make the Break (If You Can) by retired NASA scientist Reginald J. Exton.

Watch the launch of Humanist Press at a press conference at the National Press Club on March 23, 2012 below.