Feminist Resources

 

Each of the following presses, journals, contests, literary organizations, and blogs has expressed in some way a commitment to feminism that GGP admires. GGP identifies as an “explicitly inclusive” feminist press; this means a lot of things to us, but for the purposes of this list, it means that we promote a trans* and queer-inclusive feminism. Resources listed on this page self-identify as feminist or have an established history of publishing or promoting feminist works (including works by women, queer, and trans* authors).

 

Presses 

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Action Books publishes full-length books of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and translations. Their missions is to publishes works that are transnational, interlingual, futurist, works with no future, that are feminist, and that are political. “Action Books is for noises.” They also have their own online literary journal Action Yes that is devoted to include international pieces as well as feminist pieces. Recent publications include, Night Badly Written: Poems 2000-2015 by Victor Rodriguez Nunez and Fable of an Inconsolable Man by Javier Etchevarren.

 

Alice James Books, founded in 1973 by five women and two men and is a non-profit poetry press. Their missions support and publish women poets, but are also devoted to representing poetic voices by men, women, and “non-binary poets of all backgrounds.” Alice James Books is a proud affiliate of the University of Maine at Farmington and offers Creative Writing opportunities. Recent publications include, The Blessing of Dark Water by Elizabeth Lyons and Reaper by Jill McDonough. 

 

A Midsummer Night’s Press, founded in 1991, is an independent poetry publisher that publishes new editions under three imprints, Fabula Rasa (mythic poetry), Body Language (LGBT voices), and Periscope (poetry in translation). Recent titles include Lilith’s Demons by Julie R. Enszer featured in Fabula Rasa, Our Lady of the Crossword by Rigoberto Gonzales featured in Body Language, and Caravan Lullabies by Ilze Butkute featured in Periscope.

 

Arktoi Books, founded in 2006, is an imprint of Red Hen Press and publishes literary fiction and poetry by lesbian writers. They are dedicated to include lesbian voices in “the conversation” in the book publishing world. They accept work from new and established authors. Recent Arktoi Books include, The Gaffer by Celeste Gainey and Spheres of Disturbance by Amy Schutzer.

 

Backbone Press, founded in 2012, is a small press that published chapbooks from emerging and established writers. Their mission is to publish voices of ethnic poets including African-American, Latino/a, Asian, and other ethnicities. They seek poetry that is political, provocative, social, gritty, personal, and poignant. They also accept manuscripts for the  Annual Lucille Clifton Poetry Contest. Recent publications include, Drapetomania by Cynthia Parker-Ohene and Memory of a Girl by Aozora Brockman.

 

Belladonna Press, founded in 1999, publishes chaplets and broadsides in both poetry and prose. They are devoted to publishing women voices that “adventurous, experimental, politically involved, multi-form, multicultural, multi-gendered, and impossible to define.” Some of their recent chaplet titles include, Our Weather Our See by Samuel Ace, Black Girl Fly by Imani Cezanne, and REAL LIFE: With Voice and Rights by Julie Carr.

 

Birds of Lace, founded in 2005, is a DIY feminist press that publishes full-length books as wellas chapbooks. Recent and upcoming titles include, Silk Flowers by Meghan Lamb and The End of Something Greatby Lily Hoang.

 

Calyx Press, founded in 1976 by four women, publishes full-length books of fiction and poetry. Calyx strives to publish art and literature by women who are of color, are lesbian and queer, young, and old. Recent publications include, Who in the Room by Katherine Malmo and The War of the Ghosts by Lorain Urban. Calyx, their journal of art and literature by Women, publishes work of poetry, short stories, artwork, essays, and reviews. Calyx discovered notable women writers such as, Julia Alvarez and Paula Gunn Allen. In addition to their journal, they also host the Lois Cranston Memorial Poetry contest and the Margarita Donnelly Prose contest.

 

Carolina Wren Press, founded in 1976, publishes books of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and children’s literature. Carolina Wren Press is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to publish diverse and “historically neglected” voices including authors of color, women authors, and gay/lesbian authors. Recent titles include, Binary Stars by Dana Koster and Hola and Goodbye: Una Familia in Stories by Donna Miscolta. They also host two contests: The Bakwin Award for Writing by a Woman and the Carolina Wren Press Poetry Series.

 

Chelsea Station Editions is an independent publisher whose mission is to publish gay and lesbian books of poetry and fiction. Most recent publication is The Dahlia Field by Henry Alley. They also have their own literary journal Chelsea Station that is devoted to including pieces of  fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, memoir, humor, narrative travelogue, interviews, and reviews relating to gay literature and gay men. Some of their recent published pieces include What Color Is Your Hoodie? by Jarret Neal and Until My Heart Stops by Jameson Currier.

 

Dancing Girl Press is an indie press that publishes open and limited editions books of art, and paper goods, including, their annual dgp chapbook series (founded in 2004) of which is dedicated in publishing writing by women authors. Recent titles include, Ladies First by Kat Meads and Red Line Lullaby by Lorena Alvarado.

 

Dorothy, a publishing project,  publishes two books every fall of  “fiction or near fiction or about fiction,” mainly by women writers. They are dedicated to publish diverse voices to create an important narrative of their own that is pertinent to our history. Some of their most recent published women authors include, Jen George, The Babysitter at Rest, and Nathalie Leger, Suite for Barbara Loden.

 

Gertrude Press, founded in 1998, is a non-profit press that is home to the longest consecutively published queer journal, Gertrude. In addition, Gertrude Press hosts chapbook contests for both prose and poetry every year. Their most recent titles include, The Octopus by Scott Beal and Conspiracy of Beauty by Christina Collins. 

 

Hyacinth Girl Press, a micro-press, publishes around 6 poetry chapbooks a year and has a special focus on mysticism, radical spiritual experiences, and creation/interpretation of myth all through a feminist lens. They strive to put feminism, mysticism, and science in conversation with each other through poetry. Recent titles include First Crush by Yinka Rose Reed-Nolan and Anemochory by Leah Silvieus.

 

Kelsey Street Press, founded in 1974, publishes books of both poetry and fiction. Their mission is to address the marginalization of women in mainstream publishing and provide a space in which women's voices can be read and heard. Recently they published Ching-In Chen, recombinant, and Steffi Drewes, Tell Me Every Anchor Every Arrow. Kelsey Street Press also hosts the Firsts! Contests that publishes manuscripts for women-identified writers, including non-binary gender identities, queer writers, women of color, and immigrant writers.

 

Kore Press, founded in 1993, publishes full-length books in poetry, memoir, personal essay, short fiction, long fiction, hybrid and experimental work, and other forms of creative nonfiction. They identify as feminist and dedicate themselves to publishing women voices that are marginalized in other mainstream publishing institutions; an act that they coined as “literary activism.” Recent publications include Silent Anatomies by Monica Ong and Scorpyn Odes by Laynie Browne.

 

Les Figues Press, founded in 2004, is a non-profit literary organization and an independent publisher of  full-length books poetry, prose, visual art, conceptual writing, and translation. Their mission is to create unique aesthetic conversations while operating under feminist vision that embraces authors of all gender, race, class, and sexuality. Their most recent titles are Enfermario by Gabriela Torres Olivares, and Antigona Gonzales by Sara Uribe and John Pluecker.

 

Lethe Press, founded in 2001, is independent publishing house that publishes speculative fiction (including fantasy, sci-fi, and horror) and books of queer interest. They are dedicated to publishing voices in the LGBT community that are forgotten in the mainstream publishing community. Recent publications include Homo Superiors by L. A. Fields, and Lord Byron’s Prophecy by Sean Eads. Lethe Press also has three imprints, Bear Bones Books, Lethe Spirituality Series, and Tincture.

 

Manic D Press, founded in 1984, is a literary press that published books of poetry, pop culture, music, art, narrative-oriented comix, children’s, and alternative travel books. Their is mission to publish and represent a diverse group of authors that may have been shunned by mainstream publishing houses. They strive to offer a “refuge” for writers to share their unique voices with the world. Their most recent titles include The Roots of a Thousand Embraces: Dialogues by Juan Felipe Herrara and  MDC: Memoir from a Damaged Civilization: Stories of Punk, Fear, and Redemption by Dave Dictor.

 

Mayapple Press, founded in 1978, is a small literary press that is devoted to publishing poetry that is “challenging and accessible.” They embrace poetry that goes beyond “mainstream,” women’s poetry, the recent immigrant experience, poetry in translation, and science fiction poetry. Their most recent title is Bird Years by Dicko King.

 

Mid-List Press, founded in 1989, publishes full-length  fiction, nonfiction, and poetry books. Their mission is to publish writers that are perhaps ignored, marginalized, or of the category of “midlist” by commercial publishers. They strive to support the voices of emerging writers and increase diversity of books, authors, and readers. Recent titles include Felicity by Kristen Staby Rembold and The Only Time There Is: Poems by Jeff Worley.

 

Nightboat Books, founded in 2003, is a nonprofit press that publishes books poetry, fiction, essays, intergenre, and translation. As their “name Nightboat signifies travel, passage, and possibility—of mind and body, and of language,” they strive to publish diverse voices and allow them to be heard. Their most recent titles include Ears by Jared Stanley, Field Theories by Samiya Bashir, and I Love it Though by Alli Warren.

 

Paris Press is a nonprofit educational organization that  publishes full-length books “groundbreaking, yet overlooked literature by women writers.” They take special pride to publish beautiful writing while incorporating beautiful design. They are dedicated to publishing women voices that are daring while also putting an emphasis on the importance of education. Recent titles include, On Being Ill with Notes from Sick Rooms by Virginia Woolfe and Julia Stephen and Sisters: An Anthology edited by Jan Freeman, Emily Wojcik, and Deborah Bull.

 

Perugia Press, founded in 1997, is a nonprofit organization that publishes full-length books written by women. They host their own contest and The Perugia Prize goes the best new women poets. Their mission with their publications and their contest is to produce beautiful books while narrowing the gender gap in the publishing world. Recent publications include, Guide to the Exhibit by Lisa Allen Ortiz and Grayling by Jenifer Browne Lawrence.

 

Seal Press, founded in 1976, publishes full-length books with the “goal of informing women’s lives.” In other words, they are devoted to publish women voices that explore the female life from all backgrounds and from all walks of life. Recent titles include, Feminist Activist Book by Gemma Correll and The Women Who Made New York by Julie Scelfo.

 

Seven Kitchens Press, publishes the Robin Becker Chapbook Series that showcases LBGTQ poets. Recent titles include, Something to Hide My Face in by Doug Paul Gase and Lost Lands by Judith Barrington.

 

Shade Mountain Press, is a feminist press that publishes full-length books of both poetry and prose. They are dedicated to publishing women of color, women with disabilities, women from working class backgrounds, and LGBTQ women. Their motto is “Nathaniel Hawthorne once griped that women were taking over the publishing industry. Let’s prove that old boy right.” Recent titles include, Egg Heaven: Stories by Robin Parks and Her Own Vietnam by Lynn Kanter.

 

Sibling Rivalry, founded in 2010, is an inclusive publishing press that focuses on publishing from the LGBTQ community. They publish chapbooks, anthologies, full-length books as well as three journals, Adrienne (poetry by queer women), Assaracus (emerging and established gay poets), and Calisto (queer writers from all across the LGBTQ spectrum). They also host the Undocupoets Fellowship sponsored by Amazon Literary Partnership. Recent publications include, Colin is Changing His Name by John Andrews and In Whatever Light Left to Us by Jessica Jacobs.

 

Sundress Publications, founded in 2000, is woman-run non-profit publication group that publishes chapbooks, full-length collections in both print and online. They also publish online journals including Agape Editions. Their are dedicated in addressing the lack of representation of women writers in the publishing sphere and are inclusive to women writers that are of different age, race, sex, gender, class, religion, cultural, social status, or sexual orientation. Recent publications include, Bottomland by Erin Elkins Radclifffe and Deviants by Colleen Abel.

 

Switchback Books, founded in 2006, is a nonprofit feminist press publishing poetry by women. They are inclusive to women who are transsexual, transgender, genderqueer, and female-identified individuals. They publish two books a year, one of which is the winner of the Gatewood Prize. Recent publications include, And/Or by Jenn Marie Nunes and The Bodyfeel Lexicon by Jessica Bozek.

 

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Journals 

13th Moon
Adanna
Adrienne: a poetry journal of queer women

Alaska Quarterly Review
Assaracus
Banango Street
Beecher’s
Bone Bouquet
Callaloo
damselfly
Diverse Voices Quarterly
DREGINALD
Educe
The Gay and Lesbian Review Worldwide
The Haight Ashbury Literary Journal
Her Circle
Hip Mama
Knockout
Lavender Review
Lilith Magazine
Literary Mama
Little Patuxent Review
Make/shift
Many Mountains Moving
Mary: A Literary Quarterly
Minerva Rising
The Mom Egg
Moonshot
Muzzle
North American Review
OCHO
Other Poetry
[PANK]
Persimmon Tree
PMS
ROAR Magazine
Room Magazine
Sinister Wisdom
So to Speak: a feminist journal of language and art
Solstice: A Magazine of Diverse Voices
SPACES
St. Sebastian Review
T E N D E R L O I N
TRIVIA: Voices of Feminism
Weave Magazine
Wicked Alice
Witness
Women Arts Quarterly
Women’s Review of Books
Women’s Studies Quarterly
Yew

 

Contests

Les Figues NOS Book Contest (Poetry, Innovative Fiction, Lyric Essay, Hybrid Genre, Et al)
Pamet River Prize from YesYes Books  (Poetry)
So to Speak Annual Contests (Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry)
Switchback Books Gatewood Prize (Poetry)

Conferences, Festivals, and Events
&Now: Writing and the Other Arts
Feminisms and Rhetorics Conference
Out of the Binders: Symposium on Women Writers Today

 

Literary Organizations 

A Room of Her Own
Berkshire Festival of Women Writers
Busboys & Poets
Eternal Summer of the Black Feminist Mind
Hedgebrook
The Kentucky Women Writers Conference
Ladies of Letterpress
Lambda Literary Foundation
The Lit Pub
NewTown Writers
She Writes
Sister Spit and Radar Productions
Split This Rock
Small Press Distribution
Sustainable Arts Foundation
VIDA: Women in Literary Arts
Women Arts
Women’s National Book Association
Women’s Studio Works

 

Blogs & News

The Completely True Adventures of an Accidental Superwoman
Delirious Hem
Feministing
The Feminist Wire
Jezebel
Literary Magpie
Luna Luna Magazine
Moon Spit Poetry
Original Plumbing
SaraJun
The Wardrobe
Wild Gender
xoJane

 

Acknowledgements and Practices:
 

This list is curated by the editors of Gazing Grain Press as we become aware of resources. If you would like your press, journal, organization, or blog to appear on this page, please contact us at gazinggrainpress [at] gmail [dot] com for consideration.