Cleveland-based Belt Publishing was founded in 2013 to publish work by diverse writers on topics relevant to the so-called “Rust Belt.” That’s expanded into some pretty broad territory including Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Buffalo. But its by-now extensive catalog features numerous books that explore various aspects of northeast Ohio history.
Democratizing Cleveland: The Rise and Fall of Community Organizing in Cleveland 1975-1985, by Randy Cunningham, explores a period when few held out much hope for the city’s future. Cleveland Neighborhood Guidebook, assembled by Belt staff, is described as “the least practical, most literary guide to Cleveland.” Cleveland in 50 Maps explores how history has created layers of geography in the region. The Cleveland Anthology features short essays on numerous topics by writers such as Connie Schultz, Jim Rokakis and CoolCleveland’s own Mansfield Frazier. The also offer a Akron anthology and historic Cleveland greeting cards.
Find their catalog here.