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The Captive Press argues that nineteenth-century Indian captivity narratives escaped from the expectations of the American literary marketplace through manipulations of the material text. With modern methods of production, promotion, and dissemination, captivity narratives dominated the reading public even as Native peoples were forced to submit to governmental encroachments. This study focuses on narratives produced by and about Anglo-American women whose impoverished return from captivity motivated them to write for their livelihood. The narratives of Rachel Parker Plummer, Sarah Larimer, Fanny Kelly, and Abbie Gardner-Sharp were designed to appeal to local readers who were likely to become financial sponsors through direct marketing. Later editions added para-textual material, developed textual content, and introduced illustrations such as wood engravings or photographs to increase marketability for broader audiences. By publishing captivity narratives on state presses and distributing them through regional print networks, nineteenth-century producers maintained the homegrown flavor of the genre while expanding readership beyond local boundaries. This dissertation demonstrates how, with the assistance of editors, illustrators, and publishers, these entrepreneurial women reversed their subject position to hold the popular press captive.