Hackett Publishing Company

What Hackett Publishing Company does

Hackett Publishing Company is an independent, privately held academic book publisher founded in 1972 and headquartered in Indianapolis, United States. The company specializes in scholarly editions and translations across philosophy, classics, literature, history, political theory, economics, religion, theatre, film, Asian studies, Latin American studies, and modern languages, with a particular emphasis on authoritative translations of classical philosophical works by named academics such as C.D.C. Reeve, Thomas Williams, Maudemarie Clark, and Brook Ziporyn. Its product portfolio centers on the Lingua Latina per se Illustrata Latin language series, the Focus imprint for classical and modern language textbooks, the New Hackett Aristotle series, the Bryn Mawr Commentaries (distributed exclusively in North America, the UK, and Europe), and the recently launched premium Hackett Signature Editions hardcover line.

The company operates as a traditional book publisher without proprietary technology platforms, distributing content in print (paperback and hardcover) and digital formats (fixed-layout PDF and flowing-text ePub) through its own website and an extensive network of channel partners. Distribution channels include Amazon Kindle, GooglePlay, eBooks.com, Barnes & Noble, VitalSource, Perusall, Unizin/Shelfit, and library aggregators Ebook Central (ProQuest), EBSCOhost, and OverDrive, alongside Follett and Barnes & Noble college bookstores. The underlying production stack emphasizes physical book quality for premium editions (Smyth sewn bindings, FSC-certified linen-like covers, acid-free paper, satin ribbon markers) while supporting standard DRM-managed digital distribution.

Hackett's business model is built on one-time perpetual licensing of print and eBook editions, supplemented by a free instructor desk/exam copy program and free instructor resources (test banks, answer keys, PowerPoint slides, syllabi) that drive course adoption. Pricing varies by format and title, ranging from $16 paperback philosophy texts to $145 hardcover academic works, with eBooks typically $13.50-$34 and the new Signature Editions fixed at $39.95. The primary go-to-market motion is sales-led course adoption by academic instructors, reinforced by channel partner distribution for both consumer and library segments. Customer segments include university and college instructors (primary), academic scholars and researchers, classical-language students, and academic libraries.

Name

Hackett Publishing Company

Legal name

Hackett Publishing Company

Website

https://hackettpublishing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hackett Publishing Company is an independent Indianapolis-based academic publisher founded in 1972, producing scholarly translations and editions across philosophy, classics, literature, history, and modern languages, serving university instructors, students, scholars, and academic libraries through print, eBook, and library channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (51313)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Higher Education Textbook Publishing (MPAJABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Humanities & Arts Scholarly Publishing (EDAGAFAE), Educational & Academic Publishing Distribution (Textbooks) (CRAOALAC)

Keywords

• Academic book publishing
• Philosophy classics texts
• Latin Greek textbooks
• Scholarly translations
• Humanities eBooks

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Print Book Sales: Sale of academic books in print format (paperback and hardcover) through direct website orders, college bookstores, and general retail. Print books represent the core revenue stream with prices ranging from $16 to $145 depending on format and content type.
2. eBook Sales: Digital sales of eBook editions (PDF and ePub formats) through major eBook vendors including Amazon Kindle, GooglePlay, eBooks.com, Barnes & Noble, VitalSource, and library platforms. eBook pricing typically ranges from $13.50 to $34.00 for individual titles.
3. Instructor Materials: Sale of instructor examination copies at reduced prices ($3-$12) for course adoption verification. Instructor manuals and answer keys are provided free to verified adopting instructors but not sold commercially.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Hackett Publishing is an independent academic publisher producing scholarly editions, translations, and textbooks in philosophy, classics, and the humanities. It sells print books, premium hardcovers, and eBooks, along with instructor resources, primarily for course adoption at colleges and universities.

Product overview

Hackett Publishing Company is an academic publisher specializing in philosophy, classics, literature, history, political theory, economics, religion, theatre, film, Asian studies, Latin American studies, and modern languages. Its product portfolio centers on three flagship offerings: the Lingua Latina per se Illustrata Series (a comprehensive Latin language learning system comprising Familia Romana, Roma Aeterna, student and teacher companions, answer keys, and an online Latin course), the Focus Imprint language textbook line (covering Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian at all levels), and the Bryn Mawr Commentaries (Greek and Latin literary commentary series). The company also publishes the premium Hackett Signature Editions hardcover collection and distributes the broader Hackett catalog including the New Hackett Aristotle Series by C. D. C. Reeve. Supporting products include eBook editions, title resource pages with instructor materials, a desk and exam copy program for educators, and the general publishing catalog of academic humanities and social science titles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hackett Signature Editions: Premium hardcover collection of select titles featuring Smyth sewn bindings, linen-like embossing, and acid-free paper
• Focus Imprint

Products and services

• Lingua Latina per se Illustrata Series Flagship Latin language learning series using the natural method (direct exposure to Latin without translation), centered on Familia Romana and continued in Roma Aeterna. Includes student companions, teacher's materials, answer keys, and an online Latin course for instructors and students.
• Lingua Latina: Pars I: Familia Romana The central textbook of the Lingua Latina series, using an immersive narrative approach to teach Latin through continuous Latin text. Available in full-color second edition and standard edition.
• Lingua Latina: Pars II: Roma Aeterna Second volume of the Lingua Latina series, continuing Latin instruction through extended readings of Roman history and culture. Available in full-color second edition.
• Bryn Mawr Commentaries Commentary series for Greek and Latin literary texts providing grammatical and lexical support for students transitioning from introductory texts to ancient literature. Distributed exclusively by Hackett in North America, the UK, and Europe. Founded with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
• Focus Imprint Language Textbooks Language textbook imprint covering Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian instruction, including grammars, readers, composition workbooks, dictionaries, and conversation-based texts.
• Hackett Signature Editions Premium hardcover collection of select Hackett titles featuring Smyth sewn bindings, FSC-certified linen-like embossing, pigment foil stamping, black satin ribbon marker, and acid-free 50# cream-colored paper.
• New Hackett Aristotle Series Scholarly translation series of Aristotle's complete works by C. D. C. Reeve, including Nicomachean Ethics, De Anima, Politics, Physics, Metaphysics, Rhetoric, Aristotle's Theology, and Aristotle's Chemistry.
• Aristotle's Theology New translation by C. D. C. Reeve presenting Aristotle's theological insights gathered from across his corpus with commentary and notes. Part of the New Hackett Aristotle series.
• Aristotle's Chemistry New translation by C. D. C. Reeve of On Coming to Be and Passing Away and Meteorology 1 and 4. Includes Introduction, endnotes, and detailed Index. Part of the New Hackett Aristotle Series.
• Nicomachean Ethics (Reeve, Second Edition) Second edition of C. D. C. Reeve's translation of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics featuring a significantly revised translation, Bekker numbers in margins, cross-referenced endnotes, and detailed Index. Part of the New Hackett Aristotle series.
• Classical Latin: An Introductory Course JC McKeown's introductory Latin textbook combining the traditional grammatical method with the reading approach, designed for a one-year course. Features grammar explanations, paradigms, readings, cultural content, and exercises.
• An Introduction to Ancient Greek (Second Edition) C.A.E. Luschnig's introductory Ancient Greek textbook using a literary approach that prepares students to read Greek in less than a year. Streamlined, gender-inclusive, and supported by the companion website worldwidegreek.com.
• Hackett eBook Editions Digital editions of most Hackett Publishing and Focus imprint titles, available in fixed-layout (PDF) and flowing-text (ePub) formats through multiple eBook vendors, with DRM applied by each vendor.
• Desk and Exam Copy Program Free desk and examination copies (print and eBook) available for course instructors for most Hackett titles, with verification of course adoption.
• Title Resource Pages and Instructor Materials Supplementary resources for select titles across philosophy, world history, literature, critical thinking, classical and modern languages, and theatre, including instructor's guides, test banks, answer keys, PowerPoint slides, study questions, and sample syllabi.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Amazon KindlecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmazon Kindle serves as a major eBook distribution channel for Hackett titles. Hackett eBooks are available in flowing-text (ePub/Mobi) format on Kindle. The Kindle eBook editions of Familia Romana and Roma Aeterna in the Lingua Latina series are fixed-layout eBooks.
• GooglePlaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGooglePlay Books offers both fixed-layout (PDF) and flowing-text (ePub) files in single purchases for Hackett titles. Readers can select preferred format by adjusting display settings in the Google eReader software.
• eBooks.comcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributoreBooks.com carries both fixed-layout (PDF) and flowing-text (ePub) files for Hackett titles, allowing customers to select preferred format when downloading purchased eBooks.
• Barnes & NoblecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBarnes & Noble sells flowing-text (ePub) Nook eBooks for Hackett titles. Also operates college bookstore distribution through Barnes & Noble college websites.
• VitalSourcecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVitalSource sells both fixed-layout (PDF) and flowing-text (ePub) Hackett eBooks. Offers free instructor access through faculty sampling service. Browser-based eReader with note-taking, highlighting, and bookmarking features.
• Ebook Central (ProQuest)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEbook Central is a library aggregator platform providing Hackett eBooks for academic library acquisitions.
• EBSCOhostcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEBSCOhost provides Hackett eBooks for academic library acquisitions through its eBook collection platform.
• OverDrivecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOverDrive provides Hackett eBooks for public and academic library acquisitions through its digital lending platform.
• Bryn Mawr CommentariesflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHackett Publishing is the exclusive distributor of Bryn Mawr Commentaries in North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe. The commentaries were founded by Richard Hamilton of Bryn Mawr College with NEH support and provide grammatical and lexical support for students transitioning to ancient literature.
• National Endowment for the HumanitiesminorOthersNEH provided generous support for the establishment of the Bryn Mawr Commentaries series, which Hackett now distributes exclusively.
• FollettcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFollett college bookstores distribute Hackett print and digital titles for course material sales to students.
• Focus PublishingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFocus is an imprint of Hackett Publishing specializing in classical language textbooks (Greek, Latin). Titles include Introduction to Greek, Classical Latin, and related language learning materials. Available through standard Hackett distribution channels.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Penguin Classics: Mass-market classics imprint with translations of philosophical and literary works. Broad incumbent in accessible translations of the same canonical texts Hackett publishes, typically at lower price points and broader retail distribution.
• Oxford University Press: Major academic publisher with a large philosophy and classics translation program (e.g., Oxford World's Classics). Compares as a broad incumbent in the same higher-education humanities textbook and translation space, though OUP operates across far more disciplines.
• Princeton University Press: University press with strong philosophy and political theory lists. Comparable broad incumbent in scholarly humanities, frequently competing for upper-division and graduate-level adoptions.
• Yale University Press: University press publishing humanities, philosophy, and classics titles. Comparable broad incumbent in academic humanities, often used as an alternative adoption for philosophy and political theory courses.
• Cambridge University Press: University press with extensive philosophy, classics, and political theory catalogs. Comparable as a broad incumbent in academic humanities publishing, often competing head-to-head on classroom adoptions for major philosophers like Plato and Aristotle.
• University of Chicago Press: University press with a classics and philosophy catalog. Comparable broad incumbent in academic humanities publishing, particularly for theoretical and philosophical works.

Direct peers

• Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers: Specialist publisher of classical languages and ancient studies textbooks. Direct peer in the Latin and Greek textbook niche that competes with Hackett's Focus Imprint and Bryn Mawr distribution offerings.
• W. W. Norton & Company: Independent publisher known for humanities and social science textbooks including philosophy and classics. Closest direct peer as a similarly sized independent publisher competing in college-level humanities course adoptions.
• Dover Publications: Inexpensive reprints of philosophical, literary, and historical classics. Comparable as an independent publisher competing in low-cost editions of canonical humanities texts, particularly for student and general-reader markets.

Others

• Focus Publishing / Focus Imprint (Hackett's own imprint): Listed as a wholly owned subsidiary/imprint of Hackett itself, focused on classical language textbooks (Greek, Latin). Included as a related entity to clarify the company's internal publishing structure rather than as an external peer.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HackettPub
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Hackett-Publishing-Company-Inc/275998269177625
• Instagraminstagram.com/hackettpub

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hackett Publishing Company