about us
new modern
New Modern was established in 2025 as the first imprint of Putman Publishing. We shine a light on great music and pop culture writing. We celebrate and chronicle artistry and creativity, pastimes and pursuits in all their glorious, eclectic forms.
new modern arcade
Launching in July 2026, New Modern Arcade is our new narrative non-fiction imprint. It is a home for distinctive stories written for curious readers who are looking to be enlightened, inspired and delighted by the stuff of life.
Doug Putman
Eleanor Porter
Doug Putman
Owner
Doug is a canadian businessman and entrepreneur, predominantly trading across the European and North American retail sector.
Through his firm Putman Investments he owns numerous retail chains including HMV UK, Toys R Us Canada and Sunrise Records.
He lives in Ancaster, Ontario with his family.
Pete Selby
Eleanor Porter
Doug Putman
Managing director
Pete has over thirty years publishing and music experience both across retail and at Nine Eight Books, which he founded in 2020.
He enjoyed significant critical acclaim with books by – amongst others - Miki Berenyi, Bob Stanley, Trevor Horn, PP Arnold, Ian Broudie and Penderyn Prize-winning authors Will Hodgkinson and Michael Cragg.
Pete lives in Surrey, England, with his two teenage children.
James Lilford
Eleanor Porter
Eleanor Porter
Editorial director
James has worked in independent publishing for the past ten years. He has worked on all manner of books – from popular science, history and politics titles to sports biographies, music memoirs and poetry collections.
He joined Nine Eight Books in 2023 before joining to establish Putman and New Modern in 2025.
He lives in south London with his family.
Eleanor Porter
Eleanor Porter
Eleanor Porter
Editorial assistant
Eleanor joined the New Modern team in 2026, having completed an MA in Publishing at UCL in 2025.
A keen traveller with a particular interest in international literature, her dissertation centred on independent publishers who specialise in translation.
She also has a BA honours degree in History from the University of Sussex. Eleanor is based in east London.