Sneak Peek: August 2025 Indie Next List

The August 2025 Indie Next List includes SEVEN Macmillan titles!

AUTOMATIC NOODLE by Annalee Newitz
9781250357465 | 8/5/25

“Newitz packs this tale with simmering action, endearing characters, and political savvy, topping it all off with generous dollops of humor and imagination. It’s delicious.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This is a feel-good hopepunk story that will appeal to readers of both robot and AI-centered science fiction and is highly recommended for those who loved novels such as Adrian Tchaikovsky’s SERVICE MODEL and Aimee Ogden’s EMERGENT PROPERTIES, as well as hopepunk stories such as Naomi Kritzer’s “The Year Without Sunshine.”—Library Journal, starred review

“This sweet, heart (and stomach) warming novella is a certified cozy read, rich with meaning for queer readers, enjoyably familiar to San Francisco lovers. Perfect for fans both of Becky Chambers’ Monk & Robot series and Travis Baldree’s LEGENDS & LATTES (2022), this book is silly and poignant in turns, shifting from an octopuslike robot’s first hand-pulling attempts to an ex-military bot’s difficult past memories. Newitz (THE TERRAFORMERS, 2023) has gifted sf readers with a hopeful, postapocalyptic found-family tale.”—Booklist, starred review

LUCKY DAY by Chuck Tingle
9781250398659 | 8/12/25

“Combining irreverent moments of surreality with an earnest message about finding hope even in the face of brutality, this is Tingle’s best yet.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

THE HOUNDING by Xenobe Purvis
9781250366382 | 8/5/25

“Purvis is a skillful writer, creating a story that is part historical fiction, part feminist cautionary tale, and wholly engaging. Recommended for fans of Ottessa Moshfegh and Rachel Yoder.”—Library Journal

WELL, ACTUALLY by Mazey Eddings
9781250333315 | 8/5/25

“Readers who enjoy remarkably strong women leads and crave emotionally redemptive story arcs will adore this radiantly hot enemies-to-lovers romance from Eddings (LATE BLOOMER).”—Library Journal

THE LIBRARY AT HELLEBORE by Cassandra Khaw
9781250877819 | 7/22/25

“Khaw’s (THE SALT GROWS HEAVY, 2023) gorgeous prose is a visceral symphony of body horror, encompassing nightmarish transformations, cosmically horrific beings, and fascinating lore about this world’s underexplored pantheon of gods and creatures. A treat for the darkest fans of dark academia.”—Booklist

MENDELL STATION by J. B. Hwang
9781639736188 | 7/22/25

“Along the way, Hwang delivers glimmering insights into the nature of grief (‘A loss didn’t happen just once; every day afterward was a day the lost ones weren’t there’). This leaves a mark.”—Publishers Weekly

TRYING by Chloe Caldwell
9781644453476 | 8/5/25

“This reads more like a journal than a tidy narrative; there’s little resolution on offer, just artful questioning. For readers grappling with similar questions about motherhood, sexuality, and the meaning of a life well-lived, it’s a gift.”—Publishers Weekly