Our Story

McFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, we are recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of specialized-but-worthy books. We have about 8,000 unique works for sale and each year we publish about 280 new titles. Meeting library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (e.g., Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). You can keep abreast of the newest publications and other buzz by following our social media sites and subscribing to our monthly newsletter.

Mission Statement and Values

Mission
McFarland seeks to inform, entertain, educate and inspire thought by publishing written works of value, bringing to light diverse ideas and voices. Connecting authors and readers as a partner to each, we bridge gaps between scholarly and popular, between tradition and innovation, between learning and entertainment.

Values

Relevant & Excellent: Publish books that readers value, that advance knowledge, that serve worthy purposes. Honor our authors and readers by achieving the highest quality in our work.
Distinctive & Diverse: Embrace new cultural phenomena and trends, supporting the expression of diverse ideas from diverse voices.
Supportive & Rooted: Serve our authors as individuals within a supportive environment. Provide staff an opportunity to balance meaningful work with life and pursue passions in their jobs. Support our community’s natural and social environments, giving back to our Appalachian roots even as our publishing extends worldwide.

Company History

McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, was founded in the spring of 1979 by Robert McFarland Franklin. McFarland is located in Jefferson, North Carolina, a small Appalachian town in the northwestern corner of the state (close to both Tennessee and Virginia). Our staff has largely been from Appalachia, and McFarland would not have been a success without the people of Ashe County, North Carolina, and its neighbor counties. Our company leaders have deep roots in the area and are passionate about our community.

McFarland would not be where we are today without libraries. Robert Franklin came from a family of librarians, went to library school himself, and later became an ALA council member. In our earliest years, as the company was finding our place, libraries were supportive and reliable customers that allowed us to be adventurous. We published nonfiction for both academic and general readers, and we were able to work with authors of worthy but specialized books. McFarland’s libraries-first approach persists to today, and our list now includes books from a mind-boggling array of topics.

In addition to publishing informative reference works and scholarly monographs, McFarland lavished attention on producing beautiful books. We achieved some of the best page design in the business, the best typography (with minutely reworked fonts for grace and easy reading), readability-oriented editing, and the finest available printing (acid-free, strong opacity paper with extra-sturdy cloth, board and paper bindings). Much has changed in the book publishing industry over five decades with ebooks, audiobooks and short-run digital printing, but we still do our best to honor our authors and readers by achieving high quality in our work. Additionally, the overwhelming majority of our print editions are manufactured on site in Jefferson by our own staff on printing equipment owned and maintained by McFarland.

McFarland is now a leading publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, offering about 8,000 unique works in print to a worldwide market. In addition to libraries, McFarland books have found a home with enthusiasts and savvy individuals. For example, McFarland is recognized for its serious works in such popular fields as pop culture (especially film) and sports (especially baseball). McFarland announced the launch in November 2016 of Exposit Books, an imprint combining popular nonfiction topics such as true crime and the paranormal with a serious approach. In 2019, McFarland launched Toplight Books, a nonfiction imprint focusing on body, mind, and spirit.