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75 Excellent Small Presses That Publish Poetry Manuscripts (and respond in 3 months or less)
by Writing Workshops Staff
2 years ago
Find over 50 excellent small presses that publish poetry manuscripts. Polish your book-length collection or chapbook and submit it to one of these great publishers (and, if you're looking for a class in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or screenwriting, we've got you covered):
Genre: Poetry
Reading Period: Jan 1 to Dec 31
We prefer poems with these qualities: image, subtlety, and point of view; a surface of worldly exactitude, as well as a depth of semantic ambiguity; and a voice that negotiates...Read more
Reading Period: Feb 1 to Jun 15
Genre: Poetry
42 Miles Press publishes books and chapbooks of poetry, including the winner of the 42 Miles Press Poetry Prize. We’re in Indiana. We like images, we like language. We like it...Read more
Genres: Autobiography/Memoir, Cross-genre, Experimental, Feminist, Flash Fiction, Graphic/Illustrated, LGBTQ Voices, Literary Fiction, Prose Poetry
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
The A3 Press publishes work that is lyrical and intense, a bit weird, perhaps, hybrid, experimental. Prose, poetry, illustration, photography and comics that are urgent and say...Read more
Genre: Poetry
Alabaster Leaves Publishing is for emerging poets. There are no style requirements, manuscripts are accepted year-round. There is no reading fee.
Genre: Poetry
Aldrich Press is an imprint of Kelsay Books publishing company. We accept manuscripts year round with the aim to showcase the literary work of accomplished poets. Response time...Read more
The Altar Collective is a small press and arts collective based in Los Angeles and New York City. It was created in June of 2013 as a stepping stone for aspiring writers, but...Read more
Genres: Flash Fiction, Historical, Literary Fiction, Prose Poetry
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Alternating Current is an independent press dedicated to publishing and promoting incredible literature that challenges readers and has an innate sense of self, timelessness,...Read more
Genres: Cross-genre, Experimental, Feminist, Flash Fiction, Formal Poetry, Healing/Health, Historical, Journalism/Investigative Reporting, LGBTQ Voices, Micro-poetry, Nature/Environmental, Political, Prose Poetry, Translation
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Another New Calligraphy has enjoyed the quiet thrill of making and sharing since 2009. ANC guides writers and musicians in the realization of their work via the production of...Read more
Genres: Creative Nonfiction, Cross-genre, Experimental, Literary Fiction, Speculative Fiction
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
You might describe us as a heavy metal acid trip via literature. We believe books are hallucinogens suffused with emotion, feeling, and sensation. Our books wobble in the frame...Read more
Genre: Poetry
Our goal is to publish and support writers of color.
Backbone Press has been publishing diversely since 2012. We debut and support writers who are considered...Read more
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Baobab Press believes in the importance of collaboration between author and publisher. We seek to establish long-term relationships with our authors, providing them with the...Read more
Bateau Press is the publisher for its annual Boom Chapbook Contest and Keel Short Short Fiction Chapbook Contest. Our chapbooks are of the highest quality, well-designed,...Read more
Genres: Autobiography/Memoir, Experimental, Feminist, Graphic/Illustrated, Historical, LGBTQ Voices, Literary Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature/Environmental
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
We are currently accepting books by female or female-identified authors. We're especially seeking authors whose voices, cultures, and experiences are under-represented. ... Read more
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
If we love your manuscript and offer you a contract, we will provide editing, advice and direction (if you need it), the services of our art department to create your book...Read more
Genres: Prose Poetry, Translation
Genre: Poetry, Translation
Books by The Bitter Oleander Press represent some of the best of contemporary poetry published in English and in translation. Although their concentration is primarily on...Read more
Genre: Poetry
Though not our only interest, we have a strong like for poetry of place and the relationship between lives and landscapes. Most importantly, we seek an economy of language with...Read more
Reading Period: Jan 1 to Jan 31Genres: Flash Fiction
We love a strong sense of line and imagery. We love narratives and a strongly-linked series. When we read, we are drawn to poems about nature and science imagery, persona and...Read more
Genres: Literary Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
We are a literary small press and have 5 series at Bottom Dog Press: Midwest, Working Lives, Harmony, Memoirs, and Appalachian Writing. We've also done some America Zen books....Read more
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Bowen Press is drawn to exceptional stories by new and upcoming authors. We focus on first-time southern writers and specialize in high-quality book design.
Bridge Eight Press is an independent boutique press in Jacksonville FL publishing a small catalog of book titles and the online (formerly print) Bridge Eight Literary...Read more
Reading Period: Nov 15 to Jan 5
Genre: Poetry
We value energy and voice and force, work that crosses borders or effaces them completely, work that enters into larger social conversations, work that lives in the world, work...Read more
Genres: Graphic/Illustrated
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Cherry Castle Publishing is one of America's newest and most energetic black-owned publishers of great literature. We are a press that honors the vibrant multicultural voice...Read more
Genre: Poetry, Creative Nonfiction
Circling Rivers is an independent publisher of literary nonfiction and poetry. We’re drawn to the writer, known or unknown, whose work offers insight and depth, beauty, and the...Read more
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
City Limits Publishing is a Tennessee-based full traditional publishing company that helps authors find their voice, develop writing and storytelling abilities, and publish...Read more
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Clare Songbirds Publishing House was established to provide a print forum for the creation of limited edition, fine art from poets and writers, both established and emerging. ...Read more
Genres: Prose Poetry, Translation
Genre: Poetry
A small press based in New Zealand. Along with work by New Zealand poets, Cold Hub Press publishes contemporary international poetry, including bilingual editions with...Read more
Genre: Poetry
Cooper Dillon is a small poetry press committed to upholding the virtues of Poetry as a high art and expression of truth, beauty, and sincerity: the values...Read more
Genre: Poetry
Dark Particle specializes in hand-made chapbooks of poetry and prose. Our mission is to publish both emerging and established voices. We aim to help the emerging poet find an...Read more
Genres: Experimental, Feminist, LGBTQ Voices, Literary Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature/Environmental, Regional, Translation
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Deep Vellum Publishing was founded in 2013 with the mission to bring the world into conversation through publishing literature from around the world, while organizing literary...Read more
Genres: Autobiography/Memoir, Erotica, Humor, Journalism/Investigative Reporting, LGBTQ Voices
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Editorial Trance is the creation of Marlena Fitzpatrick and Charlie Vázquez. Founded in 2013, we are a digital publishing platform that seeks to broaden the literary margins of...Read more
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Stuff that people don't want their kids to know
Genre: Poetry
We are a small press based out of Seattle, Washington. We publish collaborations between West Coast poets and artists of all types. We also have an interest in publishing...Read more
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Housed at Wilkes University and partnering with Youngstown State University, Etruscan is a non-profit literary press working to produce and promote books that nurture the...Read more
Genre: Poetry
Our purpose is to present fine poems that are strong in craft and original in intention and execution.
Reading Period: Jan 1 to Dec 31
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
FlowerSong Press nurtures essential verse from, about, and through the borderlands. Literary. Lyrical. Boundless.
Genres: Prose Poetry
Genre: Poetry
Flutter Press prefers free verse, lyrical poems with themes that revolve around life, love, loss, relationships, dreams, nature, observations, and experiences.
Genres: Autobiography/Memoir, Formal Poetry, Graphic/Illustrated, Journalism/Investigative Reporting, Literary Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Political, Pop Culture, Prose Poetry, Regional, Translation
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
We seek to publish—in paper and ink—the best writing. We take our ethic and aesthetic from the Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church. Not all of it; just Canon 1115, which...Read more
Reading Period: Jun 1 to Jun 30
Four Way Books is dedicated to producing and promoting excellent literary publications and to creating opportunities for writers of merit. We seek to please and expand poetry’s...Read more
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Fruit Bat Press is a handmade, limited edition chapbook press that is co-based in Chicago and Los Angeles. Fruit bats inspire us because they are dark and sweet at the same...Read more
Genre: Poetry
Temporarily Closed to Submissions
We strive to preserve for posterity poetry from imaginative, highly skilled contemporary poets, whether well-known or emerging. We abhor the myopic, self-absorbed, and sloppy,...Read more
Genre: Poetry
Glass Lyre Press invites high quality manuscripts that reflect mature and seasoned writing with masterful imagery, lyricism, and emotional resonance. We are attracted to...Read more
Genre: Poetry
The (Great) Indian Poetry Collective is a mentorship model literary press, bringing new poetic voices from India to the world. We are a nonprofit, shared work literary press...Read more
Reading Period: Oct 15 to Jan 15Genres: Cross-genre, Experimental, LGBTQ Voices, Prose Poetry
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Great Weather for MEDIA focuses on the unpredictable, the fearless, the bright, the dark, and the innovative… We are based in New York City and showcase both national and...Read more
Reading Period: Jan 1 to Dec 31Genres: Commercial Fiction, Historical, Literary Fiction, Prose Poetry
Holland Park Press, founded in 2009, is a privately-owned independent company publishing literary fiction: novels, novellas, short stories; and poetry. The company is run by...Read more
Reading Period: Jan 1 to Dec 31Genres: Prose Poetry
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
ILOANBooks is a publishing collective specializing in low circulation prose poetry, often with illustrations or photography. We take pride in publishing brilliant, and perhaps...Read more
We publish a small number of literary works every year: poetry, short stories, scripts, and longer fiction. If you have a manuscript ready, we'd be very happy to read it and...Read more
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
June Road Press aims to publish books that lead readers to new places of connection, understanding, and discovery—books that guide and enrich, that transport and inspire, that...Read more
Genres: Cross-genre, Erotica, Experimental, Flash Fiction, Literary Fiction, Micro-poetry, Narrative Nonfiction, Prose Poetry, Speculative Fiction
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
KYSO, pronounced “kye sew,” is an acronym for Knock Your Socks Off, which refers to just the kind of electrified words and images we like to publish and showcase.
Genres: Autobiography/Memoir, Commercial Fiction, Cross-genre, Literary Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
We are seeking to publish legacy stories, widely defined. It must be book-length but can take the form of poetry, non-fiction, fiction, or any combination thereof.
Genre: Poetry, Creative Nonfiction
Los Nietos Press is looking for book-length works of poetry and/or short story. We are looking for work that is about the person, but also about place; work that sheds light on...Read more
Genres: Autobiography/Memoir, Experimental, Flash Fiction, LGBTQ Voices
Genre: Poetry, Creative Nonfiction
Lummox Press strives to bring the work of both known and unknown poets to its readers. Lately, about half the titles Lummox publishes have been first collections. I strive to...Read more
Genres: Narrative Nonfiction, Prose Poetry
Genre: Poetry, Creative Nonfiction
Madness Muse Press is an independent (Currently 3 person run) press, dedicated to spreading awareness and enacting social change through writing; while at the same time,...Read more
Genre: Poetry
Marsh Hawk Press books often highlight the affinity of poetry and the visual arts. Each book is produced with particular care to visual style, often including reproductions of...Read more
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Ms. Aligned was founded to help the genders understand each other through the writing of women; we now welcome prose and poetry by writers who identify as women, nonbinary, or...Read more
Genres: Autobiography/Memoir, Commercial Fiction, Cross-genre, Experimental, Flash Fiction, Historical, Humor, Literary Fiction, Micro-poetry, Narrative Nonfiction, Prose Poetry, Regional, Translation
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
New Rivers Press is interested in literary work of every character, but especially in diverse work that's aesthetically challenging and has a social conscience. Our Many Voices...Read more
Reading Period: Jan 1 to Dec 31Genres: Cross-genre, Experimental, Feminist, Graphic/Illustrated, LGBTQ Voices, Narrative Nonfiction, Political, Translation
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
The OS is most interested in supporting those who are interested in supporting each other and the community: we care less about your pedigree and more about your energy. We...Read more
Genre: Poetry
We need to read two sample poems before accepting full manuscripts for consideration. Manuscripts should be in word documents (not google docs), have poems left-justified, and...Read more
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Platypus Press is an independent publisher based in England. We seek to unearth innovative contemporary poetry and prose from a broad variety of voices and experiences.
Reading Period: Jan 1 to Dec 31Genre: Poetry
Genres: Cross-genre, Experimental, Graphic/Illustrated, Prose Poetry, Visual Poetry
Temporarily Closed to Submissions
Post-Asemic Press is an international book publisher of asemic writing, experimental poetry, visual poetry, and audio recordings of sound poetry. Asemic writing is the...Read more
Genres: Experimental, Literary Fiction, Micro-poetry
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Believing in literature’s practical ability to create sympathy and therefore a better world, Publishing Genius exists to make the best books by devoted members of the global...Read more
Genres: Cross-genre, Experimental, Feminist, Political, Serialized Fiction
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Radix Media publishes new ideas and fresh perspectives, prioritizing the voices of typically marginalized communities to get to the root of the human experience. We are looking...Read more
Genres: Autobiography/Memoir, Literary Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature/Environmental, Translation
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
We seek evocative, well edited poetry and literary narrative that addresses contemporary life and has lasting value. Our books represent the point of view of the authors and...Read more
Genres: Autobiography/Memoir, Commercial Fiction, Cross-genre, Historical, LGBTQ Voices, Literary Fiction
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Regal House seeks works of literary fiction, historical fiction, memoirs, short story collections, and poetry collections. Our imprint Fitzroy Books publishes Young Adult, New...Read more
Reading Period: Jan 1 to Dec 31Genres: Autobiography/Memoir, Cross-genre, Experimental, Humor, Journalism/Investigative Reporting, Literary Fiction
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Sagging Meniscus Press is a new small press specializing in the literature of the American underground.
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
To promote various genre and provide authors with access to publication. To offer a forum for authors and artists whose work challenges the accepted forms and modes of...Read more
Genres: Autobiography/Memoir, Healing/Health, Historical, Regional
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Sea Crow Press is a rapidly growing small press dedicated to building community and amplifying the voices of writers that might otherwise go unheard. It looks for works of...Read more
Genre: Poetry
Genres: Autobiography/Memoir, Journalism/Investigative Reporting, Narrative Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Prose Poetry
Reading Period: Jan 1 to Dec 31
Stay Weird and Keep Writing Print Co is a non-profit, Independent publishing company. It is connected to the Facebook group "Notes From the Edge". Stay Weird and Keep Writing...Read more
Genre: Poetry
Stubborn Mule press publishes a combination of collected works of established poets, first time full-lengths for quality and dedicated emerging poets, and splits for everyone...Read more
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Established in 2015, Sword & Kettle Press is a tiny independent publishing house. Our mission is to publish inclusive feminist fantasy & speculative fiction. We look...Read more
Genre: Poetry, Creative Nonfiction
Publish works, mainly in the humanities and social sciences, and general interest titles, particularly those of importance to the state and region. Publish 2-3 poetry titles a...Read more
Genres: Cross-genre, Experimental, Graphic/Illustrated, Literary Fiction, Prose Poetry
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Wet Cement Press publishes small handheld books of fiction, poetry and hybrid genius as well as the quarterly online journal, WCP Magazine. We're looking for work that is...Read more
Reading Period: Jan 1 to Dec 31Genres: Formal Poetry
Genre: Poetry
White Violet Press is an imprint of Kelsay Books, a publishing company that aims to showcase the literary work of accomplished formalist poets. Response time is two weeks. We...Read more
Genres: Autobiography/Memoir, Cross-genre, Experimental, Historical, Literary Fiction, Prose Poetry, Translation
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
We are looking for voices which carry a message of change, of love and liberation from marginalized places, unexplored spaces. We love art, photography included with narratives...Read more
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Wiseblood Books fosters works of fiction, poetry, and philosophy that render truths with what Flannery O'Connor called an unyielding "realism of distances." Such works find...Read more
Genres: Autobiography/Memoir, Healing/Health, Literary Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Religious/Spiritual
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
We are a press with a clear social mission, fostering an appreciation of the rewards and challenges of pluralism at every level in society, and, most importantly, an interest...Read more
Genres: Translation
Genre: Poetry, Creative Nonfiction
Word Palace Press is a non-profit press that publishes poetry, fiction, translations, and screenplays.
Genres: Autobiography/Memoir, Flash Fiction, Literary Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction
Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Wordrunner eChapbooks publishes two mini-collections of fiction in August and December, each by one author, both online and in e-book format, and an annual themed anthology of...Read more
