Nicholas Cuskey
Nicholas is a co-editor at Clever Girl Press, helping bring overlooked classics to modern readers and shape the context that accompanies each edition.
About Clever Girl Press
Old books. Open doors. New conversations.
Clever Girl Press is building a literary community by making remarkable books more accessible—and giving old favorites a fresh chance to be loved again.
Preserve the voice. Make room for the reader.
We publish annotated classics for modern readers who want the original work and a clearer way into it. We do not turn a complex book into a simplified retelling. We preserve the complete voice of the author while adding the context that time has made harder to see.
That context may include a spoiler-free introduction, period notes, maps, timelines, image descriptions, character guides, historical background, or help with unfamiliar terminology. Each addition should answer a real reader question without getting between the reader and the book.
Our larger aim is community: readers discovering overlooked books, discussing them with confidence, and helping worthwhile writing remain part of living literary culture. Follow us on Substack for Notes and activity in your Substack feed, or join the newsletter to receive new letters and publication updates by email.
Meet the co-editors.
Kelly Cuskey
Kelly is a co-editor at Clever Girl Press, helping shape the press’s editorial voice, accessible reading experience, and literary community.
Learn what readers can expect in our editorial standards.
Three books, three ways into the past.
Half-Mast Murder
A clue-led 1930 mystery by Milward Kennedy, supported by maps and period context.
Birds Through an Opera-Glass
Florence Merriam Bailey’s humane birding classic, restored with historic illustrations and modern guidance.
The Secret of High Eldersham
The first Desmond Merrion mystery, with maps, a timeline, and East Anglian context.