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

In the past, I have created such lists as all the Small, Independent, and University Press Poetry Book Publishers (which was up-to-date as of 3-6-10 with 687 presses) and all the Journals with “Review” in Their Title, Who Accept Poetry, and Who Have a Website (which was up-to-date as of 2-29-12 with 344 journals.) The first lists I made were Poetry Book Contests with Spring & Summer Deadlines, Poetry Book Contests with Fall & Winter Deadlines (scroll down), and Poetry Chapbook Contests (scroll down).

Now, it’s time to start a new list, and I’ll keep it here and I’ll update it as I can. Currently, these are the only ones I remember or that other kind people have reminded me of. The list will grow, and if you know of any open readings, please note them in the comments and I’ll add them to the list. I’m trying to limit this list to free readings, but I’ve listed a few that charge a reading fee.

All the Time Open Readings (last checked and updated 7-16-17)

• Alabaster Leaves Publishing (Imprint of Kelsay Books.$20 reading fee)
• Aldrich Press (Imprint of Kelsay Books. $20 reading fee)
• Alabaster Leaves Publishing (Imprint of Kelsay Books. $20 reading fee.)
• A-Minor Press (Temporarily closed. Checked 7-16-17.)
• Anansi
• Anaphora Literary Press
• Anvil Press (Canadian poets only.)
• Arte Público Press (“Poetry … based on U.S. Hispanic (Cuban American, Mexican American, Puerto Rican, and others) cultural issues and themes.”)
• 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.”)
• Bauhan Publishing (Closed until spring 2018.)
• BlazeVox
• Bloodaxe Books
• BOA (Due to a backlog of material, BOA will not be accepting unsolicited submissions for the American Poets Continuum Series for the foreseeable future.) (Checked 6-6-17).
• BookLand Press. (Canadian poets only.)
• boost house
• Bottom Dog Press (Begin with query.)
• Breakaway Books (Sport themes only.)
• Broadstone Books
• Broken Sleep Books
• C & R Press ($25 reading fee.)
• Carcanet Books (“Send between six and ten pages of work” and SASE to begin process.)
• Choose the Sword Press (Prefers submissions of 24-50 pages. Currently closed. Check 7-16-17.)
• City Work Press (San Diego poets. Send “a sample poem” and an SASE to begin process.)
• Conundrum Press (“primarily from authors who live in the Rocky Mountain region”)
• Cooper Dillon (for $10 or with purchase of one of their books)
• Copper Canyon Press (“Our open reading periods, held at least twice per year,” but the open months seem to vary. Check their Open Reading Calendar for further details.)
• Cormorant Books. (“Publishes writers who are both Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. Reopens to submissions April 2018. Begin with query and three-five poems. Checked 7-16-17.)
• 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 (“by queer and trans identified writers”)
• Deerbrook Editions (“Suspended until further notice.” Check 7-16-17.)
• Disorder Press (“We are super busy right now and working our way through our inbox.”)
• ECW Press (Canadian poets only. Send “approx. 10-15 pages” to begin process.)
• Ekstasis Editions
• El Balazo Press
• Etruscan Press (with $20 reading fee)
• Field Translation Series (Queries only.)
• FutureCycle Press (Closed for 2017.)
• Get Fresh Books
• Glass Lyre Press ($25 reading fee.)
• Gold Wake Press (“Currently closed.” Checked 7-16-17.)
• 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.”)
• Half Mystic Press
• Harbor Mountain Press (Start with “letter or email inquiry.” “Response time is breaking some (long) records.”)
• Hiraeth Press (Currently closed. Checked 7-16-17.)
• High Plains Press (“Poetry of the American West. Old West history is what we can sell best.”)
• Holy Cow! Press (Query with proposal first. If they are interested, they will ask for poems.)
• HVTN
• Inlandia Books (Writers from Inland Southern California.)
• Inside the Castle (“They are highly language and format driven, invested in hybrid approaches, prose mistaken for poetry, poetry mistaken for nonfiction. [. . .] We tend not to be enamored by poetry collections, preferring book-length works, but do try to tempt us.”)
• Jellyfish Highway (“We are presently on hiatus.” Checked 7-16-17.)
• Kaya Publishing (“Publishing Asian diasporic literature.”)
• Keyhole Press
• Lady Lazarus-Press
• Lapwing Publications
• Letter Machine Editions (“There are presently no open calls for submissions.”)
• Literary Laundry (The Vitalist Series. “Submissions are due April 1 of each year.” No opening date given.)
• Manic D Press (You must read one of their books and tell them which one you read. Query with 5-10 poems.)
• Measure Press
• Mid-List Press (Query first by mail with a representative sample-chapter, a short story, an essay, a few poems. (At this time, we are not accepting emailed or faxed queries.))
• Milk Press (“We exclusively publish collaborative books of poetry and visual art. That said, you may submit your individual collection, and if we love it, we’ll work with you to find an artist or poet whose work pairs well with yours.”)
• Mongrel Empire Press (Currently closed, and it might be permanently closed.)
• Mother Tongue Publishing Limited (British Columbia poets. Begin with query.)
• New Binary Press
• Northwestern University Press
• Oberon Press (“We have no formal guidelines, but Oberon’s principal interests continue to be Canadian fiction, poetry and literary non-fiction. We cannot consider simultaneous submissions.”)
• Offord Road Books
• Oolichan Books. (Canadian poets only??. Indicates it will reopen March 2017. Checked 7-16-17.)
• Orison Books Poetry in Translation (Free or $10 donation.)
• Pank Books ($25. “PANK loves you. PANK is always open for your love.”)
• Pinyon Publishing (“Queries welcome.”)
• Platypus Press (England-based press.)
• Poetic Matrix
• Prolific Press 
• Red Bridge Press (“Book-length submissions will open in Winter 2012-13.” Begin with “query letter via … submission portal.”)
• Red Hen Press
• Red Squirrel Press (England, but open to all. “Closed to submissions until 2016.” It might be permanently closed. Checked 7-16-17.))
• Salò Press
• Salmon Poetry (Query with bio and 5-10 poems. Backlogged until 2015.)
• Shire Reckoning Publishinhg House
• Signature Editions. (Canadian poets only.)
• Skull + Wind Press (First, second, or third full-length manuscripts.)
• Skylight Press (British press.)
• 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 (“We do not now, nor will we ever, charge a reading or contest fee. . . . We do, however, charge a $3 submissions fee.”)
• Tavern Books (Poetry Manuscripts in Translation)
• Trembling Pillow Press (“Book Manuscripts should be at least 80 pages.” “$15.00 reading fee.”)
• Upper Rubber Boot Books (“Currently closed.” Checked 7-16-17.)
• Urban Farmhouse Press
• White Violet Press (Imprint of Kelsay Books. For formalist poets. $20 reading fee)

January Open Readings

• Astrophil Press (University of South Dakota. Open reading period has changed. No known dates.)
• Augury Books
• Brick Road Poetry Press (75-100 pages. December 1 – January 15.)
• CavanKerry Press (For Laurel Books, Emerging Voices, and Notable Voices imprint only. $20 reading fee.)
• Galileo Press (Ends 3-1-19. An imprint of Free State Review.)
• Graywolf Press (Only for poets who have previously published a book of poems.) (Graywolf Press has decided to stop accepting unsolicited submissions until further notice. 5-20-13.)
• H_NGM_N BKS (with $10 reading fee)
• Kore Press (with $35 reading. Women only.)
• Mason Jar Press ($4 submission fee)
• Steel Toe Books (January and February 2018.)
• 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.” Deadline January 15.)
• Tinderbox Editions (December 1-7 fee-free open reading period. December 8 – January 30 $22 donation period.)

February Open Readings

• Astrophil Press (University of South Dakota. Open reading period has changed. No known dates.)
• BkMk Press (February 1 through June 30. Process begins with a sample of 10 pages of poetry. See guidelines.)
• Canarium Books
• CavanKerry Press (For Laurel Books, Emerging Voices, and Notable Voices imprint only. $20 reading fee.)
• ELJ Publications (February 1 to April 1. $5.)
• Galileo Press (Ends 3-1-19. An imprint of Free State Review.)
• H_NGM_N BKS (with $10 reading fee)
• Mason Jar Press ($4 submission fee)
• McSweeney’s Books
• Panhandler Books
• Steel Toe Books (January and February 2018.)
• Terrapin Books (February and August. $12.)

March Open Readings

• Astrophil Press (University of South Dakota. Open reading period has changed. No known dates.)
• BkMk Press (February 1 through June 30. Process begins with a sample of 10 pages of poetry. See guidelines.)
• CavanKerry Press (For Laurel Books, Emerging Voices, and Notable Voices imprint only. $20 reading fee.)
• Copper Canyon Press (March 2017.)
• ELJ Publications (February 1 to April 1. $5.)
• Galileo Press (Ends 3-1-19. An imprint of Free State Review.)
• H_NGM_N BKS (with $10 reading fee and only until March 15th)
• Mason Jar Press ($4 submission fee)
• McSweeney’s Books
• Panhandler Books
• Sibling Rivalry Press (March 1 – June 1.)
• Unicorn Press
• University Press of Kentucky: New Poetry and Prose Series. (Begin with query.) (March 15 – May 15.)
• 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 (February 1 through June 30. Process begins with a sample of 10 pages of poetry. See guidelines.)
• Mason Jar Press (“We are currently not accepting submissions but are open to inquiries about pitching.”)
• McSweeney’s Books (“The McSweeney’s Poetry Series is taking a temporary hiatus from accepting submissions. We hope to open things up again before too long.”)
• New Rivers Press
• Nine Arches Press (April 1-30, 2018.)
• Octopus Books
• Panhandler Books
• Sibling Rivalry Press (March 1 – June 1.)
• Unicorn Press (April 1 – June 30 and October 1-December 31.)
• University Press of Kentucky: New Poetry and Prose Series. (Begin with query.) (March 15 – May 15.)
• The Waywiser Press (“Authors who have published two or more previous collections of poems.” March 1 – July 1.)
• Willow Books (2017. $25.)
• Woodley Press (“Woodley Press strives to publish books by Kansans or books that focus on Kansas.”)
• YesYes Books (April 1 – May 15. $22.)

May Open Readings

• Able Muse Press (May 1 to July 15, 2018.)
• Ahsahta Press (“There will be no open submission period in 2014. Open submissions will resume in May 2015.” . . .  Still closed. Checked 5-15-17.)
• BkMk Press (February 1 through June 30. Process begins with a sample of 10 pages of poetry. See guidelines.)
• Graywolf Press (Only for poets who have previously published a book of poems.) (Graywolf Press has decided to stop accepting unsolicited submissions until further notice. 5-20-13. . . “Currently, we are not open to poetry submissions.” 5-15-17.)
• Mason Jar Press ($4 submission fee)
• McSweeney’s Books
• New Rivers Press
• Ninebark Press (“[O]ur next open reading period will be May 1-31, 2018. If you have a completed book manuscript you believe fits our mission, please submit a query letter and sample (15-30 pages).) Checked 6-1-17.
• Orison Books (Only open for poetry in translation. . . . Checked 5-15-17.)
• Sibling Rivalry Press (March 1 – June 1.)
• Sundress Publications ($13 reading fee.)
• Unicorn Press (April 1 – June 30 and October 1-December 31.)
• University Press of Kentucky: New Poetry and Prose Series. (Begin with query.) (March 15 – May 15.)
• The Waywiser Press (“Authors who have published two or more previous collections of poems.” March 1 – July 1.)
• Willow Books (2017. $25.)
• YesYes Books (April 1 – May 15. $22.)

June Open Readings (last checked and updated 6-5-18)

• Airlie Press (Poetry from the Pacific Northwest.)
• Able Muse Press (May 1 to July 15, 2018.)
• Anchor & Plume (Currently closed. Not sure when it will open again.)
• BkMk Press (February 1 through June 30. Process begins with a sample of 10 pages of poetry. See guidelines.)
• Black Lawrence Press
• Copper Canyon Press (May 15 – June 30, 2018. “We offer at least two open reading periods each year.” Submission Calendar: https://www.coppercanyonpress.org/pages/engage/SubmissionsCalendar.asp)
• ELJ Publications (June 1 to August 1. $5.)
• Four Way Books ($30 reading fee.)
• McSweeney’s Books (“The McSweeney’s Poetry Series is taking a temporary hiatus from accepting submissions. We hope to open things up again before too long.”) Checked 6-5-18.
• Muriel Press (April 15 – July 15, 2018. “Seeks full-length poetry manuscripts . . . with a social justice focus, from writers of the Upper Midwest.”)
• Orison Books (Only open for poetry in translation.)
• Paloma Press
• Red Hen Press 
• Sundress Publications (June 1 – August 15. $13 reading fee.)
• Unicorn Press (April 1 – June 30 and October 1-December 31.)
• The Waywiser Press (“Authors who have published two or more previous collections of poems.” March 1 – July 1.)
• Willow Books (2018. $25.)

July Open Readings (last checked and updated 7-16-17)

• Able Muse Press (until July 15)
• Airlie Press
• Anchor & Plume (reopens in fall)
• ELJ Publications (June 1 to August 1. $5.)
• Four Chambers Press
• Lummox Press
• Mayapple Press (“will probably read manuscripts between July 1 and August 30, although we may close sooner.” See guidelines.)
• McSweeney’s Books (“The McSweeney’s Poetry Series is taking a temporary hiatus from accepting submissions. We hope to open things up again before too long.”) Checked 6-1-17.
• Muriel Press (April 15 – July 15, 2018. “Seeks full-length poetry manuscripts . . . with a social justice focus, from writers of the Upper Midwest.”)
• Orison Books (Poetry in translation.)
• Persea Books (Begin with a query letter and sample poems. See guidelines under “Poetry Submissions.”)
• Robocup Press (“Email the first 15 pages of your manuscript.”)
• Sarabande: The Lind Bruckheimer Series in Kentucky Literature (“open to any writer in English: who is a native of Kenctucky; or whose manuscript meets one of the following qualifications: the manuscript is set in Kentucky; the manuscript is about Kentucky; the manuscript is about a Kentuckian.”)
  • Other readings and prizes: http://www.sarabandebooks.org/submissions
• The Song Cave (Poetry and poetry in translation. Begins July 11. $10.)
• Sundress Publications (June 1 – August 15. $13 reading fee.)
• Trio House Press
• Tupelo Press (upon further investigation, they charge $30 for their open reading.)
• Willow Books (2017. $25.)

August Open Reading (last checked and updated 8-1-17)

• Arktori Books (lesbian poets)
• Brain Mill Press: Mineral Point Poetry Series (Even years for full length-collections. Odd years for chapbooks.)
• Cavan Kerry Press ($30 reading fee. Updated 10-2-18.)
• Cherry Castle Publishing (currently closed.)
• Graywolf Press (Graywolf Press was open to manuscripts of poetry and poetry in translation from August 1-31, 2016. Currently, we are not open for poetry submissions.)
• Lummox Press
• Mayapple Press (“will probably read manuscripts between July 1 and August 30, although we may close sooner.” See guidelines.)
• McSweeney’s Books (“The McSweeney’s Poetry Series is taking a temporary hiatus from accepting submissions. We hope to open things up again before too long.”) Checked 6-1-17.
• Rose Metal Press ($15. “Hybrid and cross-genre.”)
• The Song Cave (Poetry and poetry in translation. Begins July 11. $10.)
• Spork Press (Their reading may extend beyond August.)
• SpringGun Press
• Terrapin Books (February and August. $12.)
• Willow Books (2017. $25.)

September Open Readings (Last checked 9-1-17)

• Arktoi Books (lesbian poets) (At the moment, Arktoi is not accepting submissions.)
• 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.”)
• Cherry Castle Publishing (“Our submission period is currently closed.”)
• McSweeney’s Books (“The McSweeney’s Poetry Series is taking a temporary hiatus from accepting submissions. We hope to open things up again before too long.”) Checked 9-1-17.
• Sidebrow Books (Through October 31, 2017. “In lieu of a reading fee, we are asking each of you to kindly support our press and authors by buying the book of your choice from our catalog in conjunction with this reading period.”)
• Tarpaulin Sky Press (“Will we open for unsolicited submissions again, anytime soon? Most likely. But we’re not sure when.”)
• University of Pittsburgh Press (Pitt Poetry Series. For poets who have previously published a poetry book.)
• Willow Books (2017. $25.)

October Open Readings (Last updated 10-2-18)

• Arktori Books (lesbian poets) (“At the moment, Arktoi is not accepting submissions. Check back for changes.”)
• Apocalypse Party
• boost house
• 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.”)
• Black Ocean (“We are currently accepting submissions *for first poetry books* only from October 1 through October 31, 2017.”)
• Carnegie Mellon University Press (Not open to previous Carnegie Mellon University Press Poets. $15 reading fee.)
• 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.)
• El Balazo Press
• Get Fresh Books (Begin with quest and twenty poems, short bio, list of publications.)
• Inside the Castle
• McSweeney’s Books (“The McSweeney’s Poetry Series is taking a temporary hiatus from accepting submissions. We hope to open things up again before too long.”)
• Milkweed Editions (“Milkweed Editions does not anticipate holding open submissions periods in 2018.”)
• The Operating System
• Nine Arches Press (October 1-31, 2018.)
• Sidebrow Books (“We are currently closed for book-length submissions.”)
• Steel Toe Books (“We are not considering manuscripts at this time.”)
• 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..”)
• Unicorn Press (April 1 – June 30 and October 1-December 31.)
• University of Pittsburgh Press (Pitt Poetry Series. For poets who have previously published a poetry book.)

November Open Readings (Last updated 11-14-18)

• Arktori Books (Lesbian poets. At the moment, Arktoi is not accepting submissions. Check back for changes.”)
• 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.”)
• Black Lawrence Press
• Mason Jar Press ($4 submission fee. Presently no calls.)
• McSweeney’s Books (“The McSweeney’s Poetry Series is taking a temporary hiatus from accepting submissions. We hope to open things up again before too long.”) Checked 6-1-17.
• 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.”)
• Unicorn Press (April 1 – June 30 and October 1-December 31.)
• WordTech Communications (Includes the following imprints Cherry Grove Collections, CW Books, David Robert Books, Turning Point, Word Press, and WordTech Editions.)

December Open Readings

• 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.”)
• Brick Road Poetry Press (75-100 pages. December 1 – January 15.)
• Future Poem Books (December 1 through January 15.)
• H_NGM_N BKS (with $10 reading fee)
• Mason Jar Press ($4 submission fee)
• 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.”)
• Tinderbox Editions (December 1-7 fee-free open reading period. December 8 – January 30 $22 donation period.)
• Unicorn Press (April 1 – June 30 and October 1-December 31.)
• WordTech Communications (Includes the following imprints Cherry Grove Collections, CW Books, David Robert Books, Turning Point, Word Press, and WordTech Editions. Closes December 15.)

 

More to come. 

Ultimate update: 4-29-30: Added Skull + Wind Press to Open All the Time Readings

Penultimate update: 4-4-19: Added Pandhandler Books to February, March, and April.

Antepenultimate update: 1-19-19: Added Galileo Books to January, February, and March

Preantepenultimate update: 11-20-18: Added SurVision Books to January

 

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