University of Texas Press turns 75
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Just some of the many books published by University of Texas Press. Photo: Garrett Smith via UT Press
The University of Texas Press is celebrating its 75th birthday Sunday with a free event open to the public.
Why it matters: The Austin-based publisher with a decorated catalog has flourished amid turbulence in the publishing industry.
By the numbers: Since 1950, UT Press has published over 4,000 books and emerged as Texas' largest publisher, working in both scholarly and trade books.
- Its operations — and eye-catching covers — are underwritten by UT, endowments and book sales.
What's happening: Authors and editors associated with the publishing house will be in conversation at Austin Central Library 10am-8pm, on topics ranging from Black history and football to grief psychology and music criticism.
- Among the highlights, from 1:30pm to 2:15pm, Black history scholars Michael Hurd ("Thursday Night Lights: The Story of Black High School Football in Texas") and Leonard Moore ("Teaching Black History to White People") will discuss football in Texas.
- 5:30pm-6:15pm: Acclaimed essayist and novelist Stephen Harrigan will be joined by Texas Monthly editor-in-chief Ross McCammon for a conversation about Harrigan's body of work and his latest UT Press book of essays, "An Anchor in the Sea of Time."
- 7:00-7:45pm: Music critics Hanif Abdurraqib ("Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest") and Jessica Hopper ("Night Moves") will discuss their careers.
What they're saying: "You get a sense of what it's like to work with people that truly care about what they're doing and have so much experience," Hopper told the Austin Chronicle about publishing with UT Press.
Zoom out: The provost at Trinity University in San Antonio announced this week that the liberal arts college is shuttering Trinity University Press, calling the costs "unsustainable" in an email to faculty.
Disclosure: UT Press has published two of Asher's books.