Aquarius Press, operating through its imprints AUXmedia and Willow Books, is a Detroit-based independent publisher with a longstanding commitment to amplifying voices from historically marginalized communities. Founded in 1999 by publisher and editor Randall Horton, the press emerged from a desire to create a literary space that centers Black, Indigenous, and other writers of color, as well as LGBTQ+ and working-class perspectives. Its ethos is rooted in the belief that literature is a vital tool for social justice, and that publishing must actively dismantle barriers to access. Over two decades, Aquarius Press has built a catalog that balances poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, often blurring genre boundaries and prioritizing work that is both artistically rigorous and politically engaged. At its core, the press functions as a collaborative ecosystem rather than a traditional gatekeeper. Through initiatives like the Black Fire This Time anthology series, it fosters intergenerational dialogue and provides a platform for emerging and established writers alike. The press’s curatorial approach is deeply informed by a respect for craft and a sensitivity to the lived experiences that shape a writer’s voice. It seeks work that challenges dominant narratives, embraces complexity, and demonstrates a commitment to language as a site of both beauty and resistance.
Publishing focus
Aquarius Press develops, publishes and promotes talented writers typically underrepresented in the literary marketplace. The Willow Books imprint specializes in the works of writers of color.
PoetryFictionCreative NonfictionChapbookNovellaShort Story CollectionsEssay CollectionsNovelMemoirPoetry Collections
Selected authors devorah major, E. Ethelbert Miller, Lupe Mendez, Dasan Ahanu, Rachelle Escamilla, Yesenia Montilla, Derrick Harriell, Curtis L. Crisler, Rich Villar, Alan King, Sokuntthary Svay, Gary Copeland Lilley, Angela Narciso Torres
Calls & opportunities
2 listed
Manuscript submissions
Reading periodApr 1 to Jul 31
Reading feeYes
Response time3 to 6 months
Simultaneous submissionsNo
Unsolicited submissionsNo
Writers should approach Aquarius Press with a clear understanding of its mission and aesthetic. Before submitting, review the catalogs of its imprints—Willow Books for literary fiction and poetry, AUXmedia for more experimental or hybrid work—to ensure your manuscript aligns with the press’s focus on underrepresented voices and socially conscious themes. Submissions are typically open during specific reading periods, which are announced on the website and social media; unsolicited manuscripts outside these windows are generally not considered. Prepare a polished, complete manuscript (for book-length works) or a well-curated selection (for anthologies), along with a concise cover letter that articulates how your work fits the press’s ethos. Simultaneous submissions are often accepted, but notify the press immediately if your work is placed elsewhere. Given the press’s small staff, response times can be lengthy; patience and professionalism are appreciated. Above all, demonstrate that you have engaged with the press’s history and are proposing a project that contributes to its ongoing conversation.