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I just came across this article on Reddit - have any of you heard about this??
https://locusmag.com/2026/06/subterranean-press-to-close/
Holy shit!
Posted : June 10, 2026 1:21 am
dannyboy121070 reacted
I just came across this article on Reddit - have any of you heard about this??
https://locusmag.com/2026/06/subterranean-press-to-close/
Holy shit!
I've been debating about posting this news for a few months now....Bill casually mentioned it to me in an e-mail exchange, and when I asked him if I could post about it here, he sent me his official statement, which is pretty much what is quoted in the link you posted. I guess someone posted about this news on Facebook, before it was ready to be announced, so I figured it really wasn't my place to comment on it, since it seemed that most people remained unaware.
Nothing insidious or secret...Just a well-deserved retirement. I was sure sad to hear it, BUT...Can't say they didn't publish a crap-ton of great books, a lot of which I, and most of you, own. Bill is leaving a great legacy behind, both as a publisher and as a human being. He's one of the good ones, and he's certainly classed up my bookshelves for the two and a half decades I've been collecting his books. Plus, I had a really great public fight with him on Shocklines ages ago, and we still hate each others guts. 🤣
Posted : June 10, 2026 2:41 am
Yeah, I had heard a month or so ago about Sub Press, and it looks like Locus is picking up the retirement news. Bill ran a great operation, and while I'm sad to see him go (though he'll be around for another year or two as they wind up various series and whatnot), it's nice to see a publisher actually wind down his business with professionalism and dignity rather than -- as is too often the case -- fleeing in the night, with creditors on his tail, and leaving his customers with preorders in the lurch.
This post was modified 5 months ago by RonClinton
Posted : June 10, 2026 2:41 am
dannyboy121070 reacted
fleeing in the night, with creditors on his tail, and leaving his customers with preorders in the lurch.
Yeah, now that you mention it, this might be the first small-press (Although they probably outgrew that term a long time ago...) in my experience that is closing in a dignified, professional manner.
Posted : June 10, 2026 2:54 am
Sad to see any small press close down but I like this is appears to be an above board and professional process.
They usually keep pre-order money, leave orders unfilled, and leave a trail of bad opinions across the community.
I was never a big purchaser from SubPress. I did enjoy following along with them over the years and appreciated their work and they will be missed.
Yeah, now that you mention it, this might be the first small-press
Posted : June 10, 2026 1:25 pm
Man, this is a bummer. I don't buy a lot from Sub Press as I'm not a big SF/Fantasy guy, but there was a comfort in having them around. When I have purchased from them, it was always a pleasant experience. I'm glad to read the plans to wind down the operation as communicated via the Locus article. It's a classy way to go out.
Posted : June 10, 2026 3:11 pm
dannyboy121070 reacted
Hopefully someone (Lividian? Earthling?) will be able to fill the gap that the closure will bring.
Posted : June 10, 2026 4:35 pm
Not a big Sub Press customer but probably have 15 to 20 titles and they are fantastic! Sorry to hear it is closing but it is nice to see the press go out as it has existed, doing right by its customers. Hope he enjoys retirement!
Posted : June 10, 2026 5:20 pm
Topic starter
Like others have said, it's "nice" to have a press shut down the "right" way, rather than sneaking out of town under the cover of darkness.
I've ordered quite a bit from SubPress (and have a few outstanding orders still) and they quality was always consistent. Never had any issues with them as a publisher.
I am curious to see who picks up the various series and authors they work with on a regular basis. On Reddit someone said Grim Oak was the obvious choice. Not sure why that's the obvious choice . . .
Posted : June 10, 2026 5:21 pm
Like others have said, it's "nice" to have a press shut down the "right" way, rather than sneaking out of town under the cover of darkness.
I've ordered quite a bit from SubPress (and have a few outstanding orders still) and they quality was always consistent. Never had any issues with them as a publisher.
I am curious to see who picks up the various series and authors they work with on a regular basis. On Reddit someone said Grim Oak was the obvious choice. Not sure why that's the obvious choice . . .
I don’t know if Grim Oak is the “obvious” choice, but I do see some logic behind the speculation. Grim Oak titles run in the same ballpark as Sub Press titles price-wise and there is some overlap as far as titles published by both presses, namely the Dresden Files and Demon Cycle series. I could see some series/titles headed their way, but I could also see some of the authors fitting in well with what Brian is doing over at Lividian. C.J. Tudor for example.
I would be VERY happy if the Area X books found a new home at Centipede. Maybe some gorgeous editions akin to what Jerad did with DUNE.
No matter what, there is going to be a large void to be filled once Sub Press shuts down.
Posted : June 10, 2026 9:34 pm
I didn't buy much from them but they will be missed. First class operation.
Posted : June 10, 2026 11:28 pm
Damn, sorry to hear this, though congratulations to Bill on his upcoming retirement and winding down a very successful business.
Didn't Bill have a partner in Sub Press (Tim?). Any chance on him or someone else picking up the reins for Sub Press?
B
Posted : June 11, 2026 11:03 pm
Bill has been privately working on a plan to take care of his staff, his authors, his customers, and all of his obligations to those groups for quite some time now. If there's anyone I trust to stick the landing, it would be him.
Posted : June 12, 2026 2:39 pm
TacomaDiver and dannyboy121070 reacted
Damn, sorry to hear this, though congratulations to Bill on his upcoming retirement and winding down a very successful business.
Didn't Bill have a partner in Sub Press (Tim?). Any chance on him or someone else picking up the reins for Sub Press?
B
The statement Bill sent me via our e-mail correspondence is basically the same as the Locus quote, but has a little that Locus left out:
"It seems the news has leaked, prematurely, which means I should probably say something.
Yes, both Tim and I plan to retire from SubPress, but we have a flexible, multi-year plan in place to accomplish this.
I can't really say more because we want to handle this in a structured, orderly fashion, which will include communicating with a large number of writers, artists, as well as publishers we license rights from. Some of these, as you'll see from Andrew Carter's post, have already been told.
I can tell you that one goal of our plan is that we either complete a number of ongoing series, or place them with other presses, to be continued in the same style as our volumes, so long-time customers will have a uniform set.
I hope that answers a few questions. Answers to others will have to wait until more of this process unfolds. I ask that you not deluge us with them.
Many thanks,
BIll"
Posted : June 12, 2026 2:47 pm
It would be great if some trusted small press picked up the future John Scalzi Limited's!Bill has been privately working on a plan to take care of his staff, his authors, his customers, and all of his obligations to those groups for quite some time now. If there's anyone I trust to stick the landing, it would be him.
Posted : June 13, 2026 3:33 am