About us

About Arena Books

Founded in 2006, Arena Books stands as one of the UK’s leading independent publishers of thought-provoking academic and specialist titles. Based near Cambridge in the heart of East Anglia, we occupy a unique position in the publishing landscape by bridging the gap between traditional academic publishing and the evolving needs of contemporary scholars and thinkers.

Our Mission & Publishing Areas

We seek to give voice to important works that might otherwise go unpublished in today’s rapidly changing publishing environment. Our focus is on quality non-fiction, particularly in the humanities, current affairs, and analytical works that demonstrate thorough research and original thinking.

We welcome submissions across various categories, including:
Political Science and Current Affairs
Social Studies and Historical Analysis
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Travel and Cultural Studies
Quality Fiction and Historical Fiction
Business and Leadership

We take pride in publishing authors whose valuable contributions might be overlooked by mainstream university presses—whether because they work outside traditional academic institutions or because their topics challenge conventional boundaries.

What Sets Us Apart

Quality Over Commercial Constraints

We specialize in producing books that, while perhaps not meeting traditional mass-market criteria, serve vital academic and intellectual needs. Our innovative approach allows us to publish high-quality titles that larger houses might consider commercially unviable.

Distribution & International Reach

Our titles are printed and distributed worldwide, making it easy for booksellers to purchase copies via their usual channels. We ensure readers have maximum choice regarding which online platforms they purchase from.

Format Flexibility & Digital Innovation

All our titles are published as e-books and audiobooks alongside traditional paperback and hardback formats, ensuring readers can choose their preferred content experience.

Sustainability in Print

We use high-quality print-on-demand services that maintain excellent print quality while reducing waste and ensuring wide distribution. This approach allows us to stay agile, offering various print formats and giving authors the opportunity to amend their manuscripts after print when necessary.

Commitment to Long-Term Success

We believe in nurturing authors and their works beyond the initial launch period. We understand that important books need time to find their audience and we support our authors throughout this journey.

Our Approach to Authors

We offer a supportive and bespoke publishing process that includes:

Personal attention to each manuscript
Professional editing and proofreading services
Flexible publishing arrangements
Long-term book marketing commitment
Ongoing support for marketing and author promotion

As specialists in academic and specialized publishing, we combine traditional publishing values with the latest innovations in production, distribution and technology. We are consistently seeking ways to improve the marketing and promotion of our books and authors while maintaining high editorial standards and providing flexible solutions for both established and emerging authors.