We’re too busy suppressing our AWP jealousy to actually read this week. Are you at AWP? Having a panic attack about which tables to visit at the book fair? (Let’s be honest, I don’t feel that bad for you.) Or are you, like me, pining miles away, wishing you were there? Either way, here’s a list of fantastic presses and literary organizations to check out, whether it be at the AWP Book Fair or on the good ol’ interwebs. Nerd on, dear literary friends!
Birds, LLC
I found out about Birds, LLC, when I read poet and Birds editor Matt Rasmussen’s book of poems, Black Aperture (my review here). An independent poetry press, Rasmussen runs Birds, LLC with four other editors and even more staff members between Austin, Minneapolis, New York, and Raleigh. They recently announced their newest title, DEAD HORSE by Niina Pollari (mesmerizing cover art pictured here).
A Strange Object
A small, very new publisher of “surprising, heartbreaking” fiction, A Strange Object likes to push its readers off the safe-reading ledge with big-impact stories. While they haven’t published a whole lot yet, I’m interested to see where they go.
Dancing Girl Press
I discovered this press when a friend and mentor of mine had her book published here. They have an exquisite chapbook series that focuses on women poets and artists. They also specialize in book arts and paper goods in addition to publishing great work. I’m sure their AWP table will have plenty to drool over!
Flying Object Press
A publisher of fiction and poetry, in addition to an art organization, Flying Object boasts an ambitious mission to “provide a range of resources, opportunities and education to writers, artists, musicians, and publishers both locally and nationwide.” They achieve this through a studio/lab storefront, performances, readings, workshops, exhibits, and more, all the while publishing via their press and literary magazine.
Black Ocean Press
We’ve reviewed multiple books from this publisher (here and here), and also interviewed their poetry editor, Carrie Olivia Adams (here). They describe their editorial vision as combining their various influences with “a radical social perspective on the nature of art and humanity.” They also throw a helluva party, concert, and exhibition in addition to publishing thought-provoking work. Worth a stop!
Which organizations and publishers are you most excited about? If you’re at AWP, are there new publishers/orgs that you haven’t encountered before?
