We are a Boston based, family run, book publishing enterprise and although small are continually increasing the range of our output.

Richard Kay Publications came about in 1970 when (Dr) Richard Allday wrote a small booklet Manifesto for the Nation which he wanted to have published before the general election.  After approaching several publishers and being turned away he decided to publish it himself.

Soon after this a newly formed History of Boston Project was looking to publish a series of booklets covering various aspects of Boston to be published and they came to my father – the rest they say is history! Now some 42 years on we have over 70 titles all of which have some connection to Lincolnshire.

In 2010/11 I took over the reins and am very excited to be publishing my first book Spirituall Concupiscence: John Cotton’s English Years 1584-1633 due out this summer.  It studies John Cotton’s life particularly the time he was Minister (1612-33) of the Stump (St Botolph’s).  The pulpit erected the year he arrived in Boston is still standing and used today and this publication will coincide with its 400th anniversary.

All our titles are all non-fiction (or ‘faction’ – real stories of people’s lives – as they remember them). There is no fiction on this site except when used as a vehicle for dialect and I believe all our books have some connection with Lincolnshire – though in a very few cases merely the author’s residence.  Most of our titles are historical (local, national and international), dialect (both academic and oral tradition) or biographical (Life in Lincolnshire and Vernacular History Series).

We have some contemporary issues and a few miscellaneous titles.  The books range from the light-hearted and humorous Fungus the Lincolnshire Cat to the massive and momentous Transcriptions of the Minutes of the Corporation of Boston – in six volumes from 1545 to 1781.  These Transcripts are nominally published by The History of Boston Project but are distributed by us – please enquire for further details as these retail at over £100 per copy.

Following the disbanding of Lincolnshire and Humberside Arts we do have some remainder stock – this is predominantly poetry.  These copies are in reasonable but aged condition.  There are also three historical maps published individually (suitable for framing) and a series of prints (taken from the Nature-Lovers’ Year book).

All our publications are available online at www.KayBooksOnline.co.uk or through any bookshops.

Please feel free to contact us through:
becky.elliott@richardkaypublications.co.uk