Overview
MayFly Books is an independent, not-for-profit academic publisher established in 2005. It developed from the journal ephemera: theory & politics in organization, which began publishing in 2001.
Its purpose is to make critical scholarship accessible beyond commercial publishing markets, particularly research addressing political, economic and social structures. It publishes free digital books and affordable paperbacks.
Mission and focus areas
MayFly Books specialises in critical organisation studies, political economy, social theory, environmental philosophy and social movements. Its publications examine capitalism, inequality, ecological sustainability, organisational power and alternative economic systems.
Its contribution to sustainability research includes books addressing degrowth, climate change, ecological justice and social transformation. Although it does not provide conventional sustainable finance or ESG investment guidance, its publications offer perspectives on economic models, corporate responsibility and the environmental consequences of economic activity.
Structure and governance
MayFly Books operates through a scholar-led editorial collective responsible for selecting and developing publications. It functions as a not-for-profit press and does not charge authors book processing fees.
Since 1 October 2026, MayFly Books has operated under the Finnish Karl Marx Society, a registered scientific association supporting critical social theory and open-access publishing.
Its publishing model emphasises editorial independence and accessibility. It works with academic authors and researchers rather than operating through a conventional commercial publishing structure.
Programs and offerings
MayFly Books publishes open-access academic monographs, edited collections and interdisciplinary research books. Publications are available as free PDF downloads and affordable printed editions.
Its catalogue includes research on degrowth, climate policy, alternative economic systems, political organisation and environmental philosophy. It also publishes issues of ephemera, extending access to research on management, organisations and critical social sciences.
Authors can submit book proposals for editorial consideration, although publishing capacity is limited. The press generally uses Creative Commons licences to support access and distribution.
For finance and sustainability practitioners, its publications provide theoretical perspectives on economic transformation, environmental sustainability and the relationship between business practices and social outcomes.
