Skip to content
Back to independent presses

Small Press

apogeepress.com
Independent publishing3 open opportunities listed

About the press

Apogee Press is an independent poetry press founded in 1997 by poets Edward Smallfield and Susan Gevirtz. Rooted in the experimental poetry communities of the San Francisco Bay Area, the press emerged from a commitment to publishing work that challenges conventional lyric and narrative modes. Its catalogue reflects a sustained engagement with innovative poetics, including serial poems, cross-genre texts, and translations, often by writers whose work resists easy categorization. The press operates with a small, curated list, prioritizing aesthetic rigor and formal inquiry over market trends. Over two decades, Apogee has maintained a distinct identity as a venue for poets whose work might be overlooked by larger commercial or academic presses, fostering a community of readers and writers attuned to the possibilities of the avant-garde.

Publishing focus

Apogee Press publishes the work of innovative and experimental poets. Culturally and formally diverse, their poets share an original use of language.

PoetryPoetry Collections

Selected authors
Cole Swensen, Elizabeth Robinson, Tsering Wangmo Dhompa, Troung Tran, Maxine Chernoff, Paul Hoover, Pattie McCarthy

Calls & opportunities

3 listed

Manuscript submissions

Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31
Reading feeNo
Response timeGreater than 6 months
Simultaneous submissionsYes
Unsolicited submissionsNo

Apogee Press accepts submissions of full-length poetry manuscripts, typically between 48 and 80 pages. The press values work that demonstrates a coherent, innovative vision and a mastery of craft, with a preference for projects that extend the possibilities of poetic form. Before submitting, poets should familiarize themselves with the press's catalogue to understand its aesthetic range. Submissions are generally read during specific windows, announced on the website and social media. Include a brief cover letter, a table of contents, and the manuscript as a single PDF. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify promptly if the work is placed elsewhere. Given the press's small size, response times can be lengthy; patience is appreciated. Apogee does not charge reading fees, reflecting its commitment to accessibility.

Please look at the submission guidelines on our website and at some of our publications before submitting to us. And please query us before sending a full manuscript.

Read official guidelines