Deep Vellum is a press based in Dallas. They describe themselves as the “heart and soul of the Dallas literary community”. They were founded in 2013 and initially just published works in translation. Now they publish fiction, nonfiction, poetry in English and works in translation that fall into any of the previous categories. As of 2020, about half of that work is by international authors, and half is work originally published in English.

Deep Vellum is nonprofit, and they explain why using these words: “Instead of selecting a book for publication exclusively because of its sales potential, our nonprofit status allows us to choose books for their artistic and social value. We are dedicated to publishing socially engaged literature that fosters cross-cultural dialogue, breaks down barriers between communities, and promotes empathy.” You can donate to help support them, you can also subscribe.

They also run a for profit “sister” bookstore which is located in Dallas.

The books they publish are diverse and eclectic and lean towards literary. You can get a good idea for what they publish by visiting their catalogue here. Only consider submitting if you feel like your manuscript is a good fit, based on thoroughly reviewing their catalogue. The books they publish have wonderful covers and their website is well designed.

They ask that you to contact them via a submission form first. They ask that you link to the manuscript when submitting. The link could be to a Dropbox, or a Google doc. They don’t have many guidelines in terms of submitting. Most of the language they use is vague. They say that they respond to all submissions as soon as possible.

To learn more, go here.

Emily Harstone is the author of many popular books, including The Authors Publish Guide to Manuscript Submissions, Submit, Publish, Repeat, and The 2020 Guide to Manuscript Publishers.

She regularly teaches three acclaimed courses on writing and publishing at The Writer’s Workshop at Authors Publish. You can follow her on Facebook here.

The poetry published by Stick Figure is mainstream and accessible. They like smart simplicity, grounded poetry with layers beneath the surface.

Stick Figure Poetry started out by publishing one poem a week online. You can read these published poems to get a sense of their aesthetic. From now on, they plan to publish quarterly editions, each with eight to twelve poems.

They’re currently seeking submissions for all upcoming quarterly issues. Poets may submit up to three poems, along with a brief bio. Stick Figure is also seeking cover art. Visual artists may submit up to three pieces in any medium.

Stick Figure accepts previously published poetry, along with unpublished work. They take submissions via email, not online or by post.

Stick Figure Poetry only accepts submissions that follow the guidelines they’ve posted online. Please read these guidelines in full before submitting.

If you would like to learn more or submit to Stick Figure Poetry, please visit their website here.

Bio: Ella Peary is the pen name for an author, editor, creative writing mentor, and submission consultant. Over the past five years, she’s written hundreds of articles for Authors Publish, and she’s also served as a copywriter and copy editor for a wide range of organizations and individuals. She is the author of The Quick Start Guide to Flash Fiction. She occasionally teaches a course on flash fiction. You can contact her at ellapeary@gmail.com.

Not all publications will give you the fulfillment you seek. Not all will walk with you through your writing journey. And the fact is, you don’t need all; you need just one.

That one publication is the reason most writers are more intentional in their relationships with the editors and journals that publish them.

They serve as an auxiliary social media team for the journals. They read for them on a volunteer basis. They promote their activities and recommend their content on listing websites.

All of these are done to seek that one pub that changes the status quo by embracing their art and considering them part of a publishing family.

When I submitted my poems to a journal, I did not know how they work. I submitted because — girl, what do writers do? They submit!

After months, one of the pieces got in. At that moment, they had no payment for international contributors. The journal is a paying market.

The editor came to me, stated their non-payment. Fascinated by the idea of publication, I agreed to non-payment.

Post-pub, the mag approached again. This time with an offer to panel one of their prizes. Guess what I did. Again, I agreed.

The agreement made me the first African panelist for the grey-haired prize. But that’s not just it.

On one of my Submittable searches, I stumbled on the same journal’s call for an editor. I applied. Early enough. My submission entry number generated by Submittable was 075. Even though the journal needed only 2 editors.

Days after, I got a message for an interview. I brushed, washed, and cleaned. Again, I got in. Out of hundreds. And again, I am the first African editor for this Texas-based journal.

It would have been great if it stopped there. But that one publication keeps giving awesome honoraria I do not expect. Keeps giving to fund my first AWP Conference. Keeps giving writing programs and mentorship privileges.

If I had known this journal publishes 6 works — only 6 works — out of the hundreds they receive, I would possibly not have submitted, but the risk was worth taking.

All you need is just one publication, not two, to change the narrative. And if you keep digging, you’ll hit it! If you keep writing, keep submitting, everything changes eventually!

Bio: Olaitan French is the pen name of an African writer, author, economist, and poetry editor. He has received multiple nominations for his works, published in several journals and anthologies. He has mentored in workshops, paneled in prizes, and organized literary events, festivals, and masterclasses.