Are you a writer who has written a fiction chapbook?
Do you now require a publisher to publish your chapbook?
Continue reading to learn about 17 top fiction chapbook publishers.
1. Batcat Press
Formed in 2009 by Deanna Baringer, the press had a bunch of high school students as the staff. Their love for literature and passion for poetry led them to take on such a task at an early age. Despite young students editing, the material they publish has been remarkably mature and sensible. Over the years they have printed 14 works of poetry and fiction and several chapbooks. The unique press continues to employ high school students and lets them experience the publishing industry at a young age. This acts as a commendable way of polishing literary talent and grooming future editors. The young staff is open and curious to new ideas and stories from authors of all ages. You can submit your manuscript using their Submittable link to the Midland based publisher. While submission period is open until 2nd January 2021, it is recommended to submit your works between June to August because the manuscripts received during this period are prioritized over others. They only print 2-3 titles annually so good luck!
2. BlazeVox
An edgy publisher of fiction and poetry, BlazeVox is constantly looking to push the envelope. They are keen on publishing poetry in print and electronic media, in eclectic forms and to break conventions. If you are a published author or new writer looking to break through, they are eager for your work. Skew tradition and try new forms of media or poetry to challenge the readers. They have made it to the lists of every new and promising writer because of their creative atmosphere and beliefs. Located in Buffalo, the publisher is a young, energetic company and wants poetry, chapbooks and fiction. You can send your manuscript via email with an attachment in Word or PDF.
3. Autumn House Press
Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Autumn House Press was established in 1998 by Michael Simms. While they initially began their journey as a poetry publisher, over time, Autumn House started accepting many new forms of works, including fiction chapbooks. The company has published several best-selling titles and in 2011 they even earned a Certificate of Appreciation from the Pennsylvania Legislature for their outstanding contribution to the arts. Some of their notable chapbooks include Rooms of the Living by Paul Martin, A Green River in Spring by Mathew Thorburn, and Bathhouse Betty by Matthew Terhune. Autumn House is currently accepting fiction chapbooks for the 2020 Autumn House Fiction Contest. Details about the contest guidelines can be found here. Alternatively, you can also send in your chapbooks during their reading period starting from September 1, 2020 to November 1, 2020. Details about the open reading period and other contests can be found here.
4. Black Lawrence Press
Established in 2004 by Colleen Ryor, Black Lawrence Press is situated in New York. Named after the two rivers, Black River and St Lawrence River, the independent publisher seeks contemporary fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. They host several competitions and reading periods to promote, encourage, and support upcoming talent and amateur writers. Guiding new or debut writers towards publishing a chapbook is one of their goals. They have two annual competitions called ‘The Spring Black River Chapbook Competition’ and ‘The Fall Black River Chapbook Competition.’ Through these, they select poetry, short stories, and fiction to be printed in chapbooks. Visit their Submittable to learn about competition dates and rules. As of now, Black Lawrence Press is open to receiving fiction chapbooks until July 1, 2020. For more details about the submission process, check this page.
5. Red Hen Press
The Pasadena based publisher is known for its commitment to printing cutting edge, out-of-the box, and nuanced fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and books. They have several imprints that promote various causes and champion different sections of writers. Children are the readers of tomorrow and that’s why they support literacy schemes and programs in local schools. Since 1994, Red Hen Press has ensured poets and upcoming writers get a channel to express their dreams and stories. The editors have worked really hard to maintain their values and quality over the changing times. The boutique publisher only prints 20 books annually so your manuscript will have to really stand out. Please find the submission guidelines available here. For general fiction chapbook submissions, you can check this page. General submissions aren’t time-bound and can be sent any time during the year. You can also submit your fiction chapbook for the Red Hen Press Fiction Award. The submission window for this competition ends on 1 October, 2020 and more details about the process can be found here.
6. New Michigan Press
This small and dynamic publisher has been a patron of fiction and poetry chapbooks since its inception. Since 1999, they run an annual chapbook contest inviting poets and writers from the world to submit their writings. Other interests and preferred genres include anthologies and broadsides. Their focus is on quality and not quantity so they print a selective list of books every year. This kind of exclusivity lets your work stand out rather than getting lost among the numbers of a big and traditional publishing house. The non-profit publisher only accepts applications during the duration of the annual contest. Writers are welcome to send a general query between the months of July-December every year. Chapbook manuscripts should be between 18 to 48 pages. You can read the detailed guidelines for general queries mentioned here.
7. Ugly Duckling Presse
Ugly Duckling is a non-profit poetry, art, non-fiction, and experimental publisher based in Brooklyn. They take pride in eschewing conventional, traditional materials of literature and poetry. The emerging, diverse, and neglected stories of writers are favored by them. Handmade books and editions signify craftsmanship, exclusivity, and a dedication to arts according to them. That’s why their books are made by skilled craftsmen and last for years as a treasured possession. Through their press, they have kept this craft alive as they print chapbooks, poetry, and periodicals. As of now, Ugly Duckling Presse is open to submissions for both fiction and poetry chapbooks. Your submissions, however, need to be sent before August 2020. For more details about the process, check this page.
8. C&R Press
This independent publisher has consciously looked for emerging and new talent. They were formed in 2006 and it has been a journey full of literary successes. Committed to foster creativity and spark imagination among readers, they print poetry, chapbooks, and fiction. The publisher holds regular and annual contests for various genres to allow writers from the country to participate. This also lets new and amateur writers try their luck at writing and getting published. LGBTQ, minority, female, and immigrant writers are highly welcome at C&R Press. The Press is currently open to fiction chapbook submissions for their $1000 Grand Prize Fiction Book Award Contest. The deadline for the contest is 1 October, 2020 and more details about the submission requirements can be found here. You can also send your works for their Full Length Open Contest that ends on 1 January 2021. Details about the submission process can be found here.
9. Noemi Press
From 2002, Noemi has spent its years pursuing upcoming writers with a rare narrative voice. Based in Virginia, they want to put poetry, chapbooks, and rich prose on the front of the publishing world. The mass mentality of best sellers is a dated one according to them as they want thought provoking, compelling, and intriguing writing and text. They have an annual contest offering a $1,000 award to prose and poetry writers. Unfortunately, the contest is closed at the moment. You can, however, keep checking this page for updated information about their open reading periods.
10. Bronze Man Books
The Decatur located publisher is one of its kind due to its staff. While the number one in our list, Batcat Press was staffed by students, Bronze Man is a student owned and operated press! Millikin University wanted its students to experience the world of publishing from a closer perspective. Instead of relying on theory or examples, they pushed students to run and operate a press in 2006. For the past 13 years, various students and graduates have worked here and they have maintained high professional standards. The young staff brings fresh insights and has relevant opinions about current literary standards. They publish chapbooks, fiction, paperbacks, children’s books, and art catalogs. As of now, Bronze Man Books is not open to any new submissions. However, you can keep viewing this page for information about open submission periods and additional contact details.
11. Atlantean Publishing
This quirky British publisher challenges the status quo by choosing offbeat, innovative, and niche topics for publishing. Chapbooks, anthologies, booklets, and prose are some of the genres they experiment with. From selective popular novels to fan fiction, they are interested in random, funny, and peculiar subjects. DJ Tyrer established it in 1996 to give the edgy, atypical, and humorous writers a home. The small press is keen on printing authors from around the world to give their books and poetry a multi-cultural and layered background. Currently, Atlantean Publishing is open to poetry and fiction chapbooks. The ideal length is less than 2000 words and the manuscript shouldn’t exceed 4000 words. You can send your submissions, any time, other than July, August, December and January because the company doesn’t accept any new submissions during these months. Find their detailed submission requirements and contact details here.
12. Press 53
Kevin Morgan Watson established Press 53 in 2005 to give the writers of poetry and short fiction a fighting chance. Novels and books are the rage with traditional and conventional publishers. Few of them want to risk publishing short fiction and chapbooks because of their lack of demand and interest. Press 53 knew there was a market for well-written, compact sized fiction for the eager readers. That’s why they are selective and firm about the material they select. The Winston based publisher holds annual competitions and prizes through the year. They urge writers to start getting experience in writing by submitting to journals. This will give them the confidence they require to be published. While the company doesn’t have any open contest at the moment, you can check this page for more information about the upcoming reading periods of fiction chapbook contests. Queries about the submission process can be directed here.
13. Underground Voices
Initially started as an online literary magazine in 2004, it became a monthly journal and then a publisher. From 2013, Underground Voices has retained its status as an independent publisher and prints 4-5 books annually. Writers who have worked with this dynamic, modern press have gone on to contribute to popular magazines, journals, and written screenplays and scripts. The trendy, edgy, and content oriented press has won awards and mentions for its selective yet extensive works. They are interested in printing fiction, flash fiction, short stories, and poetry. The company publishes e-shorts (a digital version of chapbooks, experimental works, and short stories) for aspiring writers and authors. They are currently not accepting any submissions for 2019 but you can check their page for any updates.
14. Sundress Publications
One of the country’s premier non-profit literary collective, Sundress Publications has been in the business since 2000. They merge traditional ideas with contemporary style of writing to provide a wholesome, immersive reading experience for authors and writers. They are bringing conventional themes, ideas out of the box by allowing readers to experiment and constantly try new perspectives. Run completely by volunteers, the press is on a mission to seek and print underrepresented voices and backgrounds. Preferred genres include fiction, poetry, chapbooks (prose & poetry), and full-length novels. Note that as of now, Sundress Publications is only considering poetry chapbooks. However, you can keep checking this page for more details about their upcoming reading periods for fiction chapbooks.
15. Paper Nautilus Press
Launched in 2011 as an annual literary magazine, Paper Nautilus is now a chapbook press. Lisa Mangini founded and started the company to create a way for previously unpublished authors to get published. They charge a small reading fee from authors since they are a boutique operation. Blind readings allow them to be free of any preconceived notions or assumptions. The previous annual chapbook contests held by them have seen a formidable and interesting mix of writers and winners. The contest guidelines and rules are mentioned clearly on this page. Unfortunately, Paper Nautilus Press doesn’t have any open reading period at the moment. However, you can keep checking their submissions page for information about the latest reading periods.
16. Rose Metal Press
Traditional and big publishers rarely accept projects that don’t fall in one specific genre or style. That’s why you need an independent, non-profit publisher like Rose Metal Press if your work is eccentric. Hybrid genres or styles are slowly becoming popular. Rose Metal was ahead of the curve as its launch in 2006, it has been trying and publishing hybrid genres of writing and styles. Fiction, flash fiction, and poetry are some of the genres they have worked on. Founders Abigail Beckel and Kathleen Rooney work hard to create a community of writers, patrons, and readers who have a common love for literature. Their constant efforts have resulted in literary contests, readings, workshops, and events. This boutique publisher has been nominated for and won several awards such as Independent Publisher Book Awards, INDIES Books of the Year Awards etc. Rose Metal Press is currently open for submissions until 30 June, 2020. Details about the submission process can be found here.
17. CutBank
This impressive independent press was established in 1973. Formerly a part of the Creative Writing Program at the University of Montana, CutBank publishes two print issues a year. They believe in the power of visual imagery as much as text that’s why the magazine feels and looks like a work of art. All materials and content are selected after a lot of thought and have a unique voice. The publisher has a special online edition celebrating the artists that have been marginalized and neglected by society. LGBTQ artists and female authors who have had to fight for every inch of ground they have gained can submit their work for consideration. CutBank publishes both poetry and fiction chapbooks and their open reading period starts from September 15 and until February 1. For fiction chapbooks, the wordcount is limited to 8,500 words (unsolicited submissions). You can check this page for detailed submission guidelines. For details about open reading periods and upcoming fiction chapbook contests, visit here.
Do you know of any other fiction chapbook publishers? Tell is about them in the comments box below!
Shikha Pandey is a creative, content and script writer based in Mumbai, India.