Fieldmouse Press Faces Tariff Turmoil Ahead of Winter 2025 Season
Six days ago, Fieldmouse Press launched its emergency GoFundMe campaign titled “Help Fieldmouse Press Stay Alive.” The sudden move came in response to newly announced U.S. trade tariffs, which have dramatically escalated costs for the small press publisher. Under the Trump administration’s recent tariff hike—currently up to 125% on Chinese imports—Fieldmouse’s printer in Shanghai notified the press that an additional 54% tariff would be levied on their Winter 2025 season.
Though books are typically exempt from tariffs under U.S. trade law, Fieldmouse’s situation remains murky. “Our particular situation is less clear,” said publisher Alex Hoffman in an addendum to the GoFundMe. “The printer we are working with, located in Shanghai, China, is operating under the belief that, for now, the tariffs are very much in place. Moreover, this remains a volatile situation overall, as threats of further U.S. tariffs and worldwide retaliatory actions remain a real possibility.”
Donations Paused, Crowdfunding Pushes Forward
In a surprising move, Fieldmouse has paused donations on the GoFundMe campaign. The team is now directing supporters to their Winter Season 2025 Crowdfundr campaign. “If the printer agrees with us that no further tariff should be levied,” the team explained, “and no tariffs are actually levied at the border, our current plan is to refund this GoFundMe.”
Speaking to August Tales, Hoffman elaborated on the logistics that make small press publishing so vulnerable to international trade shifts. “Imports and exports are quite complicated,” Hoffman said. “Unless a publisher has a particular employee who handles this work, most imports are managed through a port forwarding agency. What that means is Fieldmouse Press owns the books and is business on record with the shipment, but we’re navigating this with a third-party agency coordinated by the printer.”
A Snapshot of Fieldmouse Press’s Winter Season 2025
Hoffman gave us a preview of what’s coming in their upcoming publishing slate, affectionately dubbed “The Fieldmouse Festival of Nihilism.” These emotionally charged, genre-spanning works cover addiction, abuse, disordered eating, and suicidal ideation, offering readers intense but rewarding experiences.
- Soften the Blow by Bread Tarleton – a 380-page full-color paperback exploring trauma and community
- The Ardent by Carl Antonowicz – a 172-page landscape-format hardcover investigating belief and conviction
- Souvenir by Sara Jewell – an 84-page mixed-media reflection on identity and memory
- Totality by Jeff Lok – a 124-page monochrome autobiography unraveling the disillusionment of the American Dream
- Ambiguous Blu by Noah Schiatti – a 52-page adaptation examining fractured self-image
Readers can support Fieldmouse by pre-ordering any of these titles before April 23 via Crowdfundr.
Building a Mutual Aid Ecosystem in Small Press Publishing
Support from other small publishers like Glacier Bay Books, Silver Sprocket, and Strangers Press underscores the strength of the small press community. “We all generally believe that a rising tide lifts all boats,” said Hoffman. “If you’re a small press publisher and struggling, email me. Email other publishers. This is how we survive.”
Despite the economic pressures, Fieldmouse remains focused on its mission. “We’re doing this because we think it’s essential work,” said Hoffman. “We have a great Summer 2025 season planned, with new releases lined up for SPX 2025 and beyond.”
To stay updated or show support, readers can explore Fieldmouse’s back catalog or visit their Linktree for additional updates.
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