We recently published an article about chapbooks, titled The Case for Chapbooks. If you have not read it already, you should before starting this article.
When we published The Case for Chapbooks, I received a number of questions from writers about chapbook publishers and how to find them. Unfortunately most of listings of chapbooks publishers are out of date or contain false information, so I decided to compile my own list.
Keep in mind that most chapbook publishers are small not-for-profit one person companies. They are not huge organizations and a lot of them are regional publishers, special interest publishers, or are only open for a short reading period. Not all of the publishers listed here are currently open to submissions, so mark your calenders if that is the case. Many publishers charge reading fees. However I think it is perfectly fine to pay those fees as long as you get something in exchange, for example a copy of the winning chapbook, a chapbook they have previously published, or an anthology.
It is also good to note that unless explicitly stated all submissions can be made electronically. The list is organized alphabetically.
Black Lawrence Press:
Black Lawrence is an independent press that publishes novels, fiction, non-fiction, and short story and poetry collections, both full and chapbook length. They are much larger than most of the other presses listed here. While they run a number of contests, they also have two fee-free reading periods every year. The first is from June 1st to June 30th, the second is from November 2nd to September 1st.
From September 1st through October 31st they will be reading for their chapbook contest, but a fee is required to enter.
To learn more about Black Lawrence Press, visit their website here: http://www.blacklawrence.com/submissions-and-contests/
Dancing Girl Press:
Dancing Girl Press is a Chicago based press that publishes chapbooks written by women. Their reading period is open until the 31st of August, 2014. Their chapbooks are simple and elegant and their books are engaging and dramatic. They publish a variable number of books each year.
To learn more, visit their website here: http://www.dancinggirlpress.com/index2.html
Hyacinth Girl Press:
Hyacinth Girl Press is a small chapbook and anthology press run by Margret Bashaar. They publish approximately four chapbooks a year. Hyacinth Girl Press just ended their yearly open reading period. They are generally open to submissions during the months of May or June, but they have yet to announce the exact dates of their 2015 reading period. They describe themselves as a feminist press, but they publish a diverse body of work by both men and women. Their chapbooks are bound with ribbon. Hyacinth Girl Press is proactive in terms of getting their books out into the world, they visit a number of book fairs and writing conferences.
To learn more visit, their website here: http://hyacinthgirlpress.com/
Imaginary Friends Press:
Imaginary Friends is a small press that generally publishes four books a year and one full length book. They have a no frills website but they try to have a reading period that is open all the time. They do charge a reading fee, however for 7 dollars you can submit and receive a chapbook.
To learn more visit, their website here: http://www.imaginaryfriendpress.com/p/submissions.html
SunnyOutside Press:
SunnyOutside is a small press based out of Buffalo, New York that publishes chapbooks and books. Their next reading period opens up on the 1st of August and ends on the 31st. Their books and chapbooks are thoughtfully selected. In my experience they are very fun to read. They only accept work submitted through the mail.
To learn more visit, their website here: http://www.sunnyoutside.com/subs.html
Two of Cups Press:
Two of Cups Press is a small publisher of poetry based out of North Carolina. They are open to a wide range of work. They are not currently open to submissions and they do not have an open reading period, however the contest they run has a reasonable fee and everyone who enters receives a copy of the winning chapbook. The books are aesthetically pleasing and generally compelling. Their next contest should open up early next year.
To learn more, visit their website here: http://twoofcupspress.wordpress.com/chapbookcontest/
Ugly Duckling Presse:
Ugly Ducking is one of the most prestigious chapbook publishers. They publish beautiful books but they tend to lean towards pretentious work. They are not currently open to submissions (at the time of this articles publication), however they are open to submissions to their literary journal 6×6, which is a good way to get a foot in the door. If you sign up for their mailing list they will email you an alert when they re-open to submissions.
To learn more, visit their website here: http://www.uglyducklingpresse.org/contact/submissions/
