Today's Read Contributor On August 16, 2025, Brooklyn’s East Williamsburg neighborhood pulsed with creativity and literary energy as the Small Press Flea returned in full force, hosted once again by BOMB Magazine. Held at the Amant contemporary art center, this beloved event offered a full day of independent publishing, artistic experimentation, and community connection—affirming its place as a flagship celebration of alternative literary culture in New York City.
Since its modest beginnings in the backyard of Unnameable Books in 2013, the Small Press Flea has evolved from a dozen-press gathering to a major cultural happening. Over the years, the event has found temporary homes at various institutions, including the Brooklyn Public Library and Ace Hotel Brooklyn, before finding its current home at Amant. The 2025 edition reflected this growth and transformation with its most ambitious program to date—featuring over 40 exhibitors, immersive art installations, workshops, and a night market that blurred the boundaries between literature, art, and social engagement.
By early afternoon, Amant’s gravel courtyard and art studios were transformed into a bustling outdoor bazaar of books, zines, posters, and limited-edition prints. Some of the country’s most exciting independent publishers were on hand, including Archipelago Books, Verso, n+1, Ugly Duckling Presse, Belladonna*, The Baffler, and Nightboat Books. Alongside them stood small-run zine creators, visual poets, and literary journals, creating a dynamic mix that highlighted the breadth of voices within the indie publishing world. Each table buzzed with conversation between authors, editors, and readers, with some visitors traveling from out of state to reconnect with their favorite imprints.
The event offered more than just browsing. Throughout the day, workshops invited attendees to engage in the creative process firsthand. In one standout session, Kristen Mueller of Some Other Books led “Some Other (Fabric) Books,” a textile-making workshop in which participants created hand-bound books using reclaimed fabric. Another hands-on experience, “Collage is Collaboration,” guided by artists Solomon Brager and charles theonia, brought zine-making to life through mixed-media collage, encouraging participants to explore the interplay between image, text, and storytelling.
In the center of the fair, Danish artist Esben Weile Kjær’s installation “SHELL” added a bold visual anchor. Built to resemble a toy-like fortress constructed from faux concrete, the structure was both whimsical and immersive. Attendees were invited to climb inside, take photographs, and view the space as a surreal reading nook—reimagining how literary space can intersect with physical art.
By 5 p.m., the atmosphere shifted from focused exploration to celebratory gathering as the Night Market portion of the event began. With DJs Julia Govor and Kamran Sadeghi spinning a blend of ambient and electronic beats, the courtyard turned into an open-air lounge where attendees sipped complimentary cocktails, sampled barbecue from Houseman Restaurant, and enjoyed pastries from local favorite Aves Bakery. As golden-hour light flooded the space, conversations grew more animated, books were swapped like secrets, and the spirit of collaboration deepened.
One of the most significant achievements of the 2025 Small Press Flea was its commitment to elevating underrepresented voices and promoting inclusive literary culture. By offering an accessible platform for queer, BIPOC, immigrant, and emerging creators, the event reaffirmed its ethos: literature thrives not in exclusivity, but in community. Many of the participating publishers emphasized direct reader engagement and DIY ethics, championing formats like chapbooks, risograph prints, and hand-sewn bindings as a deliberate alternative to mass-market publishing.
The venue itself, Amant, played a critical role in shaping the event’s success. Known for its commitment to supporting experimental art and fostering dialogue across disciplines, the center provided an ideal backdrop for the Flea’s intersectional ethos. With its outdoor space seamlessly flowing into galleries and studios, the layout encouraged movement between reading and reflection, purchase and participation.
As twilight set over East Williamsburg and the final records faded into the Brooklyn air, the 2025 Small Press Flea closed on a high note—leaving behind a vivid reminder of the enduring vitality of independent publishing. More than a fair, the event stood as a living archive of artistic risk-taking, storytelling, and literary resistance. For the thousands who passed through the gates that day, it was a chance to not just witness, but to participate in a creative movement that continues to challenge and expand what publishing can be.
