Timeo: A Year of Ethical Independent Publishing in Italy
Timeo, an Italian independent publisher, celebrates its first anniversary with ten titles in its catalog. Founded by Corrado Melluso, Timeo launched in February 2023 with a reprint of Thomas More's Utopia, featuring commentary by Ursula K. Le Guin and China Miéville. The publisher aims to provoke a 'sense of agnition'—a defamiliarization that challenges readers' analytical filters. Key upcoming 2024 releases include Nicolàs Jaar's narrative debut Isole, Ian Cheng's Fare mondi, Kojin Karatani's Isonomia, Lauren Berlant's Cruel Optimism, and Franny Choi's poetry collection Soft Science. Melluso cites Franco Berardi as a representative author and expresses admiration for independent publisher L'ortica. Timeo's ethical project seeks to foster shared ethical plans rather than political ones, emphasizing quality and cultural clarity to survive in Italy's challenging book market.
Key facts
- Timeo was founded by Corrado Melluso.
- First book published February 2023: reprint of Utopia by Thomas More with commentary by Ursula K. Le Guin and China Miéville.
- Celebrated first anniversary with ten titles in catalog.
- Aims to provoke 'sense of agnition' (jamais vu) in readers.
- 2024 releases include Isole by Nicolàs Jaar, Fare mondi by Ian Cheng, Isonomia by Kojin Karatani, Ottimismo crudele by Lauren Berlant, and Soft science by Franny Choi.
- Franco Berardi is a key author and friend of the publisher.
- Melluso recommends Black book by Giandomenico Carpentieri (Union editions).
- Admires independent publisher L'ortica.
- Believes independent publishers survive through quality, clear cultural projects, and exploring niche topics.
- Interview conducted by Dario Moalli for Artribune.
Entities
Artists
- Corrado Melluso
- Ursula K. Le Guin
- China Miéville
- Pauline Oliveros
- Franco Berardi
- Federico Campagna
- Nicolàs Jaar
- Ian Cheng
- Kojin Karatani
- Lauren Berlant
- Franny Choi
- Giandomenico Carpentieri
- Piero Gobetti
- Dario Moalli
Institutions
- Timeo
- L'Orma
- minimum fax
- Fazi
- Adelphi
- Atlantide
- NN
- Agenzia X
- Milieu
- effequ
- Quintoquarto
- Humboldt
- D
- Eleuthera
- Tamu
- Shake
- Mercurio
- L'ortica
- Union editions
- Artribune
Locations
- Italy
- Silicon Valley