Natasha Sajé’s Bend (2004)

Over the next few weeks or months, I will post all my reviews (“Tom’s Celebrations”) that appeared in Redactions: Poetry, Poetics, & Prose (formerly Redactions: Poetry & Poetics) up to and including issue 12. After that, my reviews appeared here (The Line Break) before appearing in the journal. This review first appeared in issue 4/5, which was published circa early 2005.

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A certain poet lamenting about his newest collection of poems – it not having enough good poems – shared his uncertainty about the book with Ezra Pound. Pound, trying to put the new collection of poems & the poet into perspective, commented something like, “If you are lucky enough to have one or two good poems in a book, then you have a good book.” Sajé’s book has more than a couple of good poems, & one great poem – thus a great book, if we extend Pound’s line of thinking.

“I See” is a poem I keep returning to. It is an intelligent poem that “bends” Gertrude Stein’s “A rose is a rose is a rose.” But the poem itself is not heavy-intellectual, like Stein can be; it’s the reverberations that create this intelligent poem – & so far the reverberations have sustained themselves for over a year with the reader. This poem, among others, shows how the lens of language can “bend” perception, can bend what isn’t into what is, so as to realize “then what can’t be mistaken / for something that it’s not?” This poem also succeeds because the poem makes us experience what the speaker experienced & in the same manner, & I suspect in the same amount of time. The experience traveled to the page & all the way over to this reader, which is what a great poem does. I’d love to quote more of the poem, but the experience needs to be had in full.

Nonetheless, Natasha Sajé’s Bend (Tupelo Press, 2004) is filled with more intriguing stories/experiences that bend unexpectedly, more lyrics that twist freshness from the mundane or anticipated, & more dialogues between language & perception, but all the while the poems stay clear & inviting. The language is always fresh, always moving, & always bending.//

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Sajé, Natasha. Bend. Dorset, VT: Tupelo Press, 2004.//

Presses with Open Readings for Full-Length Poetry Manuscripts

Below is a list of presses with open readings for full-length poetry manuscripts. Most of the listings have free open readings, but I have included some that charge a Submittable fee or a reading fee, but I do try to limit it to just free open readings. Before the pandemic, I kept it up to date, but during the pandemic I did not. 😟 From now on, I will update each month at or near the beginning of each month, and I’ll update “All the Time Open Readings” at least once per year.

All the Time Open Readings (Updated 7-21-2022.)

• 8th House Publishing (Begin with sample and query letter)
• 11:11 Press (January 1, 2022, to March 31, 2022 for “Nothing Exists Alone” submissions.)
• A.B. Baird Publishing (Mail a query letter and first 30 pages)
• Aldrich Press (Imprint of Kelsay Books. $20 reading fee)
• All Things Matter Press (Spiritual, self growth/transformation. Poetry manuscript “should be at least 35k words minimum.”)
• Anansi
• Anaphora Literary Press (Email submissions only.)
• Andrew McMeel Publishing (Use their online form. Requires proposal, bio, and sample of work.)
• Another New Calligraphy
• Anvil Press (Canadian poets only. Guidelines being updated.)
• April Gloaming Publishing (Southern writing. Start by sending 10 poems.)
• Apocalypse Party
• Arteidolia Press (“Our focus is on publishing collections of poetry & visual poetry.”)
• Arte Público Press (“Poetry … based on U.S. Hispanic (Cuban American, Mexican American, Puerto Rican, and others) cultural issues and themes.”)
• Baobab Press
• Bat Cat Press (“We welcome the submission of complete manuscripts throughout the year. We read in the fall (September-December) and typically send out accept/decline letters in December and January.” . . . They plan to reopen “in the 2022/2023 school year.” )
• Bauhan Publishing (“We are booked through 2022.” Verified 5-25-22.)
• bd-studios (“Much of the work we publish is by queer creators.”)
• Better Than Starbucks (“We prefer books of 90–110 pages, including front and back matter, such as TOC, a forward or introduction, credit pages, etc.”)
• Biblioasis (“Please note that while the majority of our authors and translators are Canadian, we do selectively consider international submissions.”)
• Black Centipede Press
• Black Lawrence Press Immigrant Writing Series
• Black Mountain Press (“a literary press for outstanding emerging writers.” $8 submission fee on Submittable.)
• BlazeVox
• Bloodaxe Books (British press. Mail “a sample of up to a dozen poems.”)
• Blue Figure Press (Unsure if they are open all the time.)
• BOA (Open submissions to the American Poets Continuum Series closes September 30. Not known when submission period begins. Mail only.)
• BookLand Press. (“We are particularly interested in submissions from culturally diverse Canadian authors, Indigenous authors, people with disabilities, and official language minority authors.”)
• Bottom Dog Press (Begin with query.)
• Bower House (Bower House is currently not accepting submissions. Verified 5-25-2022.)
• Brain Mill Press: Mineral Point Poetry Series (Open reading period varies.)
• Breakaway Books (Sport themes only.)
• Broadstone Books (“We anticipate resuming open reading on September 1, 2022.”)
• C & R Press ($25 reading fee.)
• Caitlin Press Inc. (“Caitlin Press publishes books in all genres, but mainly on topics concerning or by writers from the BC Interior and stories about and by BC women.”)
• Cephalo Press (“Send us 3-5 poems that best represent your collection.”)
• Cholla Needles Arts & Literary Library (You might have to be first published in their journal)
• City Lights Books (“Regretfully, we are unable to accept manuscript submissions at this time.” Verified 5-25-2022.)
• City Work Press (San Diego poets. Send “a sample poem” and an SASE to begin process.)
• Clash Books
• co•im•press (Poetry translations.)
• Coach House Books (“We publish primarily Canadian authors.”)
• Cooper Dillon (for $10 or with purchase of one of their books)
• Corrupt Press (I think they are open all year.)
• Counterpath Press (“Please send a query with a sample of no more than about 10 pgs.” to begin process.)
• Daffydownlilly Press (Imprint of Kelsay Books. Rhyming poetry for children written by adults. $20 reading fee.)
• Damaged Goods Press (“books by queer and trans identified writers”)
• Deep Vellum
• Disorder Press
• ECW Press (Canadian poets only. Send “approx. 10-15 pages” to begin process.)
• Ekstasis Editions (Mail only.)
• El Balazo Press (This may be defunct. Not sure.)
• Elyssar Press
• Encircle Publications (Use their “Author Query Form.” . . . “Our publishing slate is full for 2021-2022, so for now, we are not accepting any new manuscript submissions.”)
• Etruscan Press (with $20 reading fee)
• Fragmented Voices (Begin with ” 3 – 4 poems, with an outline of a concept for a book, and a structured CV (no more than 2 pages) with a focus on the author’s creative life.”)
• Fremantle Press (“Fremantle Press welcomes unsolicited manuscripts from authors of Western Australian origin or whose main place of residence is Western Australia. Work by non–Western Australian authors will be considered when the subject matter has a strong Western Australian focus.”)
• Gasher Journal and Press ($25 reading fee.)
• Get Fresh Books (“Our chief concern is to provide opportunities for underrepresented voices in publishing.” “We are now closed for regular submissions until spring 2023.” Verified 5-25-2022.)
• Giramondo Publishing (Reading periods seem to vary. Last checked on 5-25-2022.)
• Golden Foothills Press (Will reopen sometime in 2023.)
• Goose Lane Editions (Canadian poets only.)
• Grayson Books (query with “a sample of 6-10 pages of the manuscript, along with a statement of your qualifications and publication credits, expected audience and promotion ideas.”)
• Grey Borders Books (“Interested in works that confront and challenge contemporary social norms.” Use their submission form. . . . “Our reading period is currently closed and will reopen sometime in 2021.” They may be defunct.)
• Grieveland
• Half Mystic Press ($5, $10, and $15 reading fee. “At least three-quarters of the book should be previously unpublished in any form.”)
• Harbor Mountain Press (Start with “letter or email inquiry.” “Response time is breaking some (long) records.” . . . “we are not reading manuscripts until further notice” as of 5-25-2022.)
• High Plains Press (“Poetry of the American West. Old West history is what we can sell best.”)
• Holland Park Press (“Places special emphasis on bringing the work of Dutch authors to the English language market.” Email only.)
• Holy Cow! Press (“There is a three step process for reviewing your work.”)
• IF SF Publishing (Begin with cover letter, 10-pages, publication credits.)
• Invisible Publishing
• Kaya Publishing (“Publishing Asian diasporic literature.”)
• Lady Lazarus-Press
• Lapwing Publications (Belfast, Ireland.)
• Literary Laundry (The Vitalist Series. “Submissions are due April 1 of each year.” No opening date given.)
• Luath Press (Begin with query and sample text.)
• Manic D Press (You must read one of their books and tell them which one you read. Query with 5-10 poems.)
• Measure Press
• Milk Press (The Poetry Society of New York) ($12. No simultaneous submissions.)
• Moonrise Press
• Moon Tide Press (Submit by mail. Unsure if they are open all the time.)
• New Binary Press
• New Meridian Arts (Uncertain of reading period. “Greetings Fellow Writers. Our submission page is closed for now. Please check back with us later in the year” as of 5-25-2022.)
• Nine Arches Press (Appears to be open year round.)
• Northwestern University Press (Email proposal.)
• Offord Road Books (“ORB is currently closed for submissions” as of 5-25-2022, and they have been closed since 1-3-2020.)
• Oolichan Books. (“Oolichan Books is not accepting unsolicited manuscripts at this time” as of 5-25-2022, and they have been closed since 1-3-20.)
• Oomph! Press (Poetry in translation.)
• Open Letter
• The Operating System (Reads year round, but has not been updated since 2017.)
• Paloma Press (Begin with query by email. . . . “We have books already scheduled for release through 2022 and are unable to accept submissions at this time.”)
• Pank Books ($20. “PANK loves you. PANK is always open for your love.”)
• Peepal Tree Press
• Penteract Press
• Persea Books (Begin with a query.)
• Pinyon Publishing (“Queries welcome.” “Please no simultaneous submissions.”)
• Platypus Press (England-based press. “We are currently closed for submissions” as of 5-25-2022.)
• Plough Books (Faith based??)
• Poetic Matrix
• Prolific Press
• Propertius Press (“Submissions opened January 6, and there are dozens already in the queues. We are limiting each portal to a specified number of submissions so we don’t get overloaded. When that number is reached, the portal for that classification will close” as of 5-25-2022.)
• Querencia Press (It appears it is always open for submissions.)
• Rebel Mountain Press (“Canadian authors only.”)
• Red Hen Press ($20.)
• Red Squirrel Press (Scotland based, but open to all. “Red Squirrel Press currently have a full publication plan until the end of 2022 and almost full until the end of 2023.”)
• Salò Press (“Currently closed to submissions” as of 5-25-2022.)
• Salmon Poetry (“Our list is full until the end of 2025.”)
• Shabda Press (Unsure if they are open all the time. Current message, as of 6-1-2022, reads, “Submissions reading period: Poems from manuscripts received out of the submissions reading period will not be read or responded to. We are currently on hiatus and taking a break for self-care; no submissions can be taken until further notice. Thank you for your interest in us, and please check back with us in Summer 2023.)
• Shanti Arts (“We expect to return to normal toward the end of 2022.”)
• Shearsman Books
• Signature Editions. (Canadian citizens only.)
• Slant Books ($3 Duosama (Duotrope’s submission manager) fee.)
• Skull + Wind Press (First, second, or third full-length manuscripts.)
• Spuyten Duyvil (“[W]e ask you to support our press by purchasing our books whenever you are (financially able and) inspired by their contents.”)
• SparkWheelPress (“Submissions are currently closed. Please check back in 2020.” Checked 1-3-20.)
• Tavern Books (“Poetry Manuscripts in Translation” or “English-Language, Single-Author Poetry Reprints.”)
• Threadsuns Press (Email only.)
• Trembling Pillow Press (“Book Manuscripts should be at least 80 pages.” “$15.00 reading fee.”)
• Ugly Duckling Presse (Begin with query and proposal. “We are not currently accepting submissions” as of 5-25-2022.)
• University of Saint Katherine Press (Christian perspectives.)
• University Professors Press
• Unsolicited Press ($5 reading fee.)
• Urban Farmhouse Press
• Urtica Press (“On hiatus” as of 5-25-2022.)
• Vegetarian Alcoholic Press
• Victoria University Press (“Most of our authors live in Aotearoa New Zealand and/or their work is suitable primarily for a local audience. Please note that we are not able to consider submissions from overseas writers whose work does not have a connection with Aotearoa New Zealand.”)
• Wesleyan University Press (Currently closed to poetry submissions as of 5-25-2022.)
• Whisk(e)y Tit
• White Violet Press (Imprint of Kelsay Books. For formalist poets. $20 reading fee)
• Wood & Water Press (“Publishes minimalist writing and art.” Begin with online query form.)
• Word West (Currently closed to subsmissions as of 5-25-2022.)
• Xi Draconis Books (Currently “Under Construction.”)

January Open Readings (Checked and updated 1-2-23.)

• Astrophil Press (University of South Dakota. Open reading period has changed. No known dates.)
• Augury Books
• Brick Road Poetry Press ($15 reading fee. 75-100 pages. December 1 – January 15.)
• Broken Sleep Books (January 1 through February 28. Open submission for wildcard books (books that don’t often fit our other submission windows.” . . . “We particularly wish to encourage more working-class writers, LGBTQ+, and BAME writers to submit.”)
• Green Lantern Press (December 1 through January 30.)
• Inside the Castle (January 1 to March 1.)
• Milk and Cake Press (January 1 to April 30.)
• SurVision Books (For poets born on the island of Ireland or current long-term residents there.)
• Tavern Books: The Wrolstad Contemporary Series ($25 reading fee. “The Wrolstad Contemporary Poetry Series is only open to female poets aged 40 years or younger. Entrants must be US citizens.” October 1 to January 15.)
• Terrapin Books (January 24 to February 28 and August 1 to August 31. $12.)
• Tinderbox Editions (December 1-7 fee-free open reading period. December 1 – January 30: $25 donation period.)

February Open Readings (Updated 2-3-2022)

• Astrophil Press (University of South Dakota. Open reading period has changed. No known dates.)
• BkMk Press (Previously: February 1 through June 30. Process begins with a sample of 10 pages of poetry. See guidelines. . . . “BkMk Press is not accepting open submissions at this time. We will make an announcement here when we are able to consider new work” as of 2-3-2022.)
• Broken Sleep Books (January 1 through February 28. Open submission for wildcard books (books that don’t often fit our other submission windows.” . . . “We particularly wish to encourage more working-class writers, LGBTQ+, and BAME writers to submit.”)
• Canarium Books (Open submission period has changed. No dates indicated. 2-3-2022.)
• CavanKerry Press (The August Open Submissions Period is open during even-numbered years to anyone writing primarily in the English language and living in the United States, regardless of prior publication history. Pay what you can for submission fee.)
• Cherry Castle Publishing (February 5 to March 5.)
• ELJ Publications (February 1 to April 1. $5. ELJ Editions prefers narrative prose and free verse poetry that explores human emotions, experiences, dreams, revelations, etc.)
• Galileo Press (4-1-2023. An imprint of Free State Review. $3.50.)
• Inside the Castle (January 1 to March 1.)
• McSweeney’s Books (“Submissions are currently closed. We don’t have an exact date when they’ll reopen, but we’d suggest checking back in a few months. Thank you for considering McSweeney’s. (3/1/20).” This message still appears on 2-3-2023.)
• Milk and Cake Press (January 1 to March 31.)
• Panhandler Books (February 1 to April 30.)
• Terrapin Books (January 24 to February 28 and August 1 to August 31. $12.)

March Open Readings

• Astrophil Press (University of South Dakota. Open reading period has changed. No known dates.)
• BkMk Press (Previously: February 1 through June 30. Process begins with a sample of 10 pages of poetry. See guidelines. . . . “BkMk Press is not accepting open submissions at this time. We will make an announcement here when we are able to consider new work” as of 2-3-2022.)
• Black Ocean (March 3-24, 2023. There may be a reading fee. Added 12-13-2022.)
• CavanKerry Press (For Laurel Books, Emerging Voices, and Notable Voices imprint only. $20 reading fee.)
• Cherry Castle Publishing (February 5 to March 5.)
• Copper Canyon Press
• Cormorant Books. (“Publishes writers who are both Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.” March 1 – April 15, 2020.)
• ELJ Publications (February 1 to April 1. $5. ELJ Editions prefers narrative prose and free verse poetry that explores human emotions, experiences, dreams, revelations, etc.)
• Galileo Press (4-1-2023. An imprint of Free State Review. $3.50.)
• Glass Lyre Press (. March 15 to April 31. $15 reading fee. Checked 1-3-20.)
• Gold Wake Press (Open reading begins March 1. There is no specified end date. Next open reading begins September 1 with no specified end date. Checked 10-10-2022.)
• Inside the Castle (January 1 to March 1.)
• McSweeney’s Books (“Submissions are currently closed. We don’t have an exact date when they’ll reopen, but we’d suggest checking back in a few months. Thank you for considering McSweeney’s. (3/1/20).” This message still appears on 5-25-2022.)
• Milk and Cake Press (January 1 to March 31.)
• Panhandler Books (February 1 to April 30.)
• Sibling Rivalry Press (March 1 – June 1. . . . “After a decade of disturbance, we’re hitting pause on our annual open-submission period. Watch this space or follow our social media accounts, and we’ll let you know when we open for submissions again.” This message appears on 5-25-2022.)
• University Press of Kentucky: New Poetry and Prose Series. (Begin with query. March 15 – May 15. “There are presently no open calls for submissions.” Checked 5-25-2022.)
• The Waywiser Press (“Authors who have published two or more previous collections of poems.” March 1 – July 1.)

April Open Readings (last checked and updated 4-2-18)

• Astrophil Press (University of South Dakota. Open reading period has changed. No known dates.)
• Barefoot Muse Press (April 1 – April 30. “Poems should demonstrate an allegiance to meter/form.”)
• BkMk Press (Previously: February 1 through June 30. Process begins with a sample of 10 pages of poetry. See guidelines. . . . “BkMk Press is not accepting open submissions at this time. We will make an announcement here when we are able to consider new work” as of 2-3-2022.)
• Broken Sleep Books (40+ pages. “We particularly wish to encourage more working-class writers, LGBTQ+, and POC writers to submit.” April 1 through May 31.)
• Close-Up Books (April 30 to July 30. “Close-Up Books is currently on hiatus as of February 2021.”)
• Cormorant Books. (“Publishes writers who are both Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.” March 1 – April 15, 2020.)
• Glass Lyre Press (. March 15 to April 31. $15 reading fee. Checked 1-3-20.)
• McSweeney’s Books (“Submissions are currently closed. We don’t have an exact date when they’ll reopen, but we’d suggest checking back in a few months. Thank you for considering McSweeney’s. (3/1/20).” This message still appears on 5-25-2022.)
• New Rivers Press
• Octopus Books
• Panhandler Books (February 1 to April 30.)
• Sibling Rivalry Press (March 1 – June 1. . . . “After a decade of disturbance, we’re hitting pause on our annual open-submission period. Watch this space or follow our social media accounts, and we’ll let you know when we open for submissions again.” This message appears on 5-25-2022.)
• University Press of Kentucky: New Poetry and Prose Series. (Begin with query. March 15 – May 15. “There are presently no open calls for submissions.” Checked 5-25-2022.)
• The Waywiser Press (“Authors who have published two or more previous collections of poems.” March 1 – July 1.)
• Willow Books
• Woodley Press (“Woodley Press strives to publish books by Kansans or books that focus on Kansas.”)
• YesYes Books (April 1 – May 15. $22. “There are presently no open calls for submissions” as of 5-25-2022.)

May Open Readings (Checked and updated 5-25-2022)

• Able Muse Press (May 1 to July 15.)
• BkMk Press (Previously: February 1 through June 30. Process begins with a sample of 10 pages of poetry. See guidelines. . . . “BkMk Press is not accepting open submissions at this time. We will make an announcement here when we are able to consider new work” as of 2-3-2022.)
• Broken Sleep Books ($0+ pages. “We particularly wish to encourage more working-class writers, LGBTQ+, and BAME writers to submit.” April 1 through May 31.)
• Close-Up Books (April 30 to July 30. “Close-Up Books is currently on hiatus as of February 2021.”)
• The Elephants ($15. May 1 to June 30.)
• Galileo Press (Begins May 1. Unknown end date. An imprint of Free State Review.)
• McSweeney’s Books (“Submissions are currently closed. We don’t have an exact date when they’ll reopen, but we’d suggest checking back in a few months. Thank you for considering McSweeney’s. (3/1/20).” This message still appears on 5-25-2022.)
• New Rivers Press (“General Submissions are temporarily on hiatus” as of 5-25-2022.)
• Ninebark Press (“As of March 2020, Ninebark Press is on hiatus.” Checked on 5-25-2022.)
• Sibling Rivalry Press (March 1 – June 1. . . . “After a decade of disturbance, we’re hitting pause on our annual open-submission period. Watch this space or follow our social media accounts, and we’ll let you know when we open for submissions again.” This message appears on 5-25-2022.)
• Sundress Publications ($13 reading fee.)
• Unicorn Press (May 1 to June 30.)
• University Press of Kentucky: New Poetry and Prose Series. (Begin with query. March 15 – May 15. “There are presently no open calls for submissions.” Checked 5-25-2022.)
• The Waywiser Press (“Authors who have published two or more previous collections of poems.” March 1 – July 1.)
• Willow Books
• YesYes Books (April 1 – May 15. $22. “There are presently no open calls for submissions” as of 5-25-2022.)

June Open Readings (Checked and updated 6-1-2022)

• Airlie Press (June 1 to July 31. Pacific Northwest poets.)
• Able Muse Press (May 1 to July 15.)
• BkMk Press (Previously: February 1 through June 30. Process begins with a sample of 10 pages of poetry. See guidelines. . . . “BkMk Press is not accepting open submissions at this time. We will make an announcement here when we are able to consider new work” as of 2-3-2022.)
• Black Lawrence Press
• Close-Up Books (April 30 to July 30. “Close-Up Books is currently on hiatus as of February 2021.”)
• Four Way Books ($30 reading fee. June 1-30.)
• McSweeney’s Books (“Submissions are currently closed. We don’t have an exact date when they’ll reopen, but we’d suggest checking back in a few months. Thank you for considering McSweeney’s. (3/1/20).” This message is still there on 6-1-2022.)
• Red Hen Press 
• River River Press (June 1 – July 31. “Pay-what-you-can reading fee.”)
• Sibling Rivalry Press (March 1 – June 1. . . . “After a decade of disturbance, we’re hitting pause on our annual open-submission period. Watch this space or follow our social media accounts, and we’ll let you know when we open for submissions again.” This message appears on 5-25-2022.)
• Sundress Publications (June 1 – August 31. $13 reading fee.)
• Unicorn Press (May 1 to June 30.)
• The Waywiser Press (“We regret we cannot consider submissions from authors who have published two or more previous collections of poems.” March 1 – July 1.)
• Willow Books

July Open Readings (Checked and updated 7-1-2022 through 7-25-2022)

• Able Muse Press (May 1 until July 15.)
• Airlie Press (June 1 to July 31. Pacific Northwest poets.)
• Bad Betty Press
• Belle Point Press (Begin with a query.)
• Black Ocean (Poetry translations. July 14-28, 2023. There may be a reading fee. Added 12-13-2022.)
• Carcanet Books (will reopen in early 2023)
• Close-Up Books (April 30 to July 30. “Close-Up Books is currently on hiatus as of February 2021.”)
• The Emma Press (July 18 through August 14)
• FutureCycle Press (They read July through September.)
• Gasher Press (Not sure when it opened, but it closes on August 31)
• Kore Press (Currently closed.)
• Lummox Press (July 1 to August 31. Begin with query.)
• Mayapple Press (Currently closed to submissions.)
• McSweeney’s Books (“Submissions are currently closed. We don’t have an exact date when they’ll reopen, but we’d suggest checking back in a few months. Thank you for considering McSweeney’s. (3/1/20).” This message still appears on 7-1-2022.)
• River River Press (June 1 – July 31. “Pay-what-you-can reading fee.”)
• Sarabande (“Sarabande Series in Kentucky Literature” and poetry translations.)
• The Song Cave (“We are not taking submissions at this time.”)
• Sundress Publications (June 1 – August 31. $13 reading fee.)
• Tinderbox Editions (July 1-7 fee-free open reading period. July 1 – August 31: $25 donation period. Also, December 1-7 fee-free open reading period. December 1 – January 30 $25 donation period. )
• Trio House Press
• Tupelo Press (.July 1 to August 31. $30 open reading fee.)
• Willow Books

August Open Reading (Checked and updated 8-1-22)

• Cavan Kerry Press (“‘Pay what you can’ structure, with $10, $18, and $25 options.”)
• Deerbrook Editions (“Suspended until further notice. . . . The normal reading period is August 1 to October 1.”)
• The Emma Press (July 18 through August 14)
• FutureCycle Press (They read July through September.)
• Gasher Press (Not sure when it opened, but it closes on August 31)
• Kore Press (Currently closed.)
• Lummox Press (July 1 to August 31. Begin with query.)
• Mayapple Press (Currently closed to submissions.)
• McSweeney’s Books (“Submissions are currently closed. We don’t have an exact date when they’ll reopen, but we’d suggest checking back in a few months. Thank you for considering McSweeney’s. (3/1/20).” This message still appears on 5-25-2022.)
• Rose Metal Press (“We are not currently accepting manuscripts or manuscript queries. . . . and plan to have a submission period in 2023.”)
• The Song Cave (“We are not taking submissions at this time.”)
• Sundress Publications (June 1 – August 31. $13 reading fee.)
• Terrapin Books (January 24 to February 28 and August 1 to August 31. $12.)
• Tupelo Press (July 1 to August 31. $30 open reading fee.)
• University of Pittsburgh Press (August 1 to September 20. Pitt Poetry Series. For poets who have previously published a poetry book.

September Open Readings (Checked and updated 9-11-2022)

• Bat Cat Press (“We welcome the submission of complete manuscripts throughout the year. We read in the fall (September-December) and typically send out accept/decline letters in December and January.” . . . They plan to reopen “in the 2022/2023 school year.” )
• Deerbrook Editions (“Suspended until further notice. . . . The normal reading period is August 1 to October 1.”)
• FutureCycle Press (They read July through September.)
• Kore Press (Currently closed.)
• McSweeney’s Books (“Submissions are currently closed. We don’t have an exact date when they’ll reopen, but we’d suggest checking back in a few months. Thank you for considering McSweeney’s. (3/1/20).” This message still appears on 9-11-2022.)
• Sidebrow Books (Currently closed. “Sign up for our mailing list to be notified of our next reading period.”)
• Tarpaulin Sky Press (“Will open soon. Please join out mailing list to be notified.”)
• University of Pittsburgh Press (August 1 to September 20. Pitt Poetry Series. For poets who have previously published a poetry book.)

October Open Readings (Checked and updated 10-20-2022)

• Bat Cat Press (“We welcome the submission of complete manuscripts throughout the year. We read in the fall (September-December) and typically send out accept/decline letters in December and January.” . . . They plan to reopen “in the 2022/2023 school year.” )
• Black Ocean (Manuscripts from BIPOC writers only. October 13-27, 2023 There may be a reading fee. Added 12-13-2022.)
• Carnegie Mellon University Press (They plan to reopen in October 2023.)
• co-im-press (“Likes works in translation that are strange, transgressive, visceral-mystical, or “unpublishable” through traditional means.”)
• Counterpath (Begin with a query and a short sample.)
• Deerbrook Editions (“Suspended until further notice. . . . The normal reading period is August 1 to October 1.”)
• El Balazo Press
• Gold Wake Press (Open reading begins March 1. There is no specified end date. Next open reading begins September 1 with no specified end date. Checked 10-10-2022.)
• Jacar Press: The New Voices Series ($15)
• Kore Press (Currently closed.)
• McSweeney’s Books (“Submissions are currently closed. We don’t have an exact date when they’ll reopen, but we’d suggest checking back in a few months. Thank you for considering McSweeney’s. (3/1/20).” This message still appears on 10-10-2022.)
• Milkweed Editions (“Milkweed Editions is not currently open to unsolicited submissions. We will make an announcement via our newsletter and update this page if plans change.”)
• Sidebrow Books (Currently closed. “Sign up for our mailing list to be notified of our next reading period.”)
• Tavern Books: The Wrolstad Contemporary Series ($15 reading fee. “The Wrolstad Contemporary Poetry Series is only open to female poets aged 40 years or younger. Entrants must be US citizens.” October 1 to January 15.)

November Open Readings (Checked and updated 12-12-2022)

• Bat Cat Press “We welcome the submission of complete manuscripts throughout the year. We read in the fall (September-December) and typically send out accept/decline letters in December and January.” . . . They plan to reopen “in the 2022/2023 school year.” )
• Black Lawrence Press
• McSweeney’s Books (“Submissions are currently closed. We don’t have an exact date when they’ll reopen, but we’d suggest checking back in a few months. Thank you for considering McSweeney’s. (3/1/20).” This message still appears on 12-13-2022.)
• Tavern Books: The Wrolstad Contemporary Series ($15 reading fee. “The Wrolstad Contemporary Poetry Series is only open to female poets aged 40 years or younger. Entrants must be US citizens.” October 1 to January 15.)
• WordTech Communications (Includes the following imprints Cherry Grove Collections, CW Books, David Robert Books, Turning Point, Word Press, and WordTech Editions.)

December Open Readings (Checked an updated 12-12-2022)

• Bat Cat Press (“We welcome the submission of complete manuscripts throughout the year. We read in the fall (September-December) and typically send out accept/decline letters in December and January.” . . . They plan to reopen “in the 2022/2023 school year.” )
• Black Ocean (First book only. December 9-23. $15 reading fee.)
• Brick Road Poetry Press ($15 reading fee. December 1– January 15.)
• Future Poem Books (December 1 through January 15. <==This used be to reading period. The dates are no longer listed as of 12-13-2022.)
• Green Lantern Press (Currently closed to submission.)
• Red Rook Press (Undergrad and Grad students graduating in Spring 2023 or later. Deadline is December 12. No listed opening date.)
• Tavern Books: The Wrolstad Contemporary Series ($25 reading fee. “The Wrolstad Contemporary Poetry Series is only open to female poets aged 40 years or younger. Entrants must be US citizens.” October 1 to January 15.)
• Tinderbox Editions (December 1-7 fee-free open reading period. December 1 – January 30 $25 donation period. Also, July 1-7 fee-free open reading period. July 1 – August 31 $25 donation period.)
• WordTech Communications (Includes the following imprints Cherry Grove Collections, CW Books, David Robert Books, Turning Point, Word Press, and WordTech Editions. Closes December 15.)

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More to come.

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Ultimate Update: 12-12-2022 and 12-13-2022

• Added Red Rook Press to December
• Updated multiple Black Ocean open reading dates.

Penultimate Update: October 10, 2022

• Removed from October:
  • boost house
  • Orison Books

Antepenultimate update: September 11, 2022

• Added University of Pittsburgh Press to August
• Removed from September, October, and November: Arktori Books

Preantepenultimate update: August 1 2022:

• Added to All the Open Readings: co•im•press
• Removed from August:
  • Arktori Books
  • Spork Press
  • Spring Gun Press
  • Willow Books

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200 presses that print paperback and/or hardcover poetry books.

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