About Foreword
Championing Independent Voices for Over 25 Years
In 1998, Victoria Sutherland saw a gap in the publishing industry that needed to be filled.
While major trade publications focused almost exclusively on corporate giants like Random House and Simon & Schuster, countless innovative and important books from independent presses were going unnoticed. Victoria believed these voices deserved to be heard, and Foreword Reviews was born.
Victoria Sutherland, Founder
Victoria’s vision was simple yet revolutionary: create a platform dedicated to discovering and celebrating exceptional books from independent publishers.
Victoria understood that the United States' literary landscape thrives on the diversity of independent voices—those who publish not just for profit, but for the love of literature, the advancement of ideas, and the preservation of artistic integrity.
Our flagship publication, Foreword Magazine, stands as a testament to this vision. Published bimonthly, each issue is a beautifully crafted showcase of independent publishing, featuring our most compelling reviews alongside stunning design elements and premium production values.
The magazine's thoughtful aesthetic and creative layouts reflect our belief that the physical experience of reading matters—that taking time with good writing deserves an equally considered presentation.
Victoria's innovative spirit didn't stop there. In 2001, she introduced Clarion, our fee-for-review service, creating new opportunities for self-published authors and independent presses to receive professional reviews.
This bold move initially raised eyebrows in the industry but has since become a widely accepted practice, with many major review publications like Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly following our lead.
Today, Foreword reaches an engaged global audience of independent bookstore owners, acquisition librarians, literary agents, and publishing professionals.
We take pride in our role as champions of literary fiction, poetry, children's literature, and vital contemporary topics like climate change, diversity, and multiculturalism.
Most importantly, we continue Victoria's mission of amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard.
Celebrating our 25-year anniversary at Frankfurt.
Victoria & Friends at the Bologna Children's Book Fair.
We're proud to be different. Like the independent publishers we serve, we're not afraid to challenge convention.
We're what some might call a Purple Cow business—we stand out, we create positive change, and we're driven by an unwavering commitment to quality and integrity.
Our success is built on the loyal support of countless independent presses, from established publishers to university presses and emerging authors, all united in the belief that profit shouldn't be the only criterion for deciding which stories deserve to be told.
Whether you're a bookseller seeking to create a unique collection, a librarian building a diverse catalog, or a publisher looking to connect with discerning readers, we invite you to join our community.
At Foreword, we're not just reviewing books—we're helping to shape the future of independent publishing, one thoughtful critique at a time.
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The people who make our magazine what it is.
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Victoria Sutherland
FOUNDER
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Barbara Hodge
ART DIRECTOR
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Michelle Schingler
EDITOR IN CHIEF
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Matt Sutherland
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
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Stacy Price
SALES DIRECTOR
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Josie Robinson
SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
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Kathy Young
PROJECTS COORDINATOR
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Christopher Nesbitt
INDIES AWARDS/SOCIAL MEDIA
Victoria // Founder
