Independent publishing17 open opportunities listed
About the press
Finishing Line Press is an independent poetry publisher founded in 1998 by Leah Maines. Based in Georgetown, Kentucky, the press has built its identity on the chapbook—a form it treats not as a minor or preliminary gesture but as a complete and vital literary artifact. Its mission is to publish poetry that is accessible, emotionally resonant, and finely crafted, with a particular commitment to amplifying voices that have been historically underrepresented in mainstream literary publishing. The press is especially known for its annual New Women's Voices Chapbook Competition, which since its inception has provided a dedicated platform for women poets at various stages of their careers, from first-time authors to established writers seeking a focused venue for a shorter manuscript.
Publishing focus
Finishing Line Press an award-winning BIPOC + women-owned and -operated small press publisher located in Georgetown, Kentucky. Since 1998. FLP is a proud member of CLMP.
PoetryFictionCreative NonfictionTranslationChapbookNovellaShort Story CollectionsEssay CollectionsNovelMemoirPoetry Collections
Selected authors Yahya Frederickson, Rodica Draghincescu, Sherri Felt Dratfield, Richard Levine, Terry Eicher, Melora Walters, Tracy Ahrens, Christina Cook, Art Elser, Jean Esteve, Joan Hanna,George Held, Krikor Der Hohannesian, Judith Bader Jones, Zane Kotker, C. Kubasta, Gary L. Lark, Lesléa Newman, Kyle Potvin, Richard Levine, Connie Post, Tania Runyan, Jeanne Shannon, Maureen Sherbondy, Melissa Shook, Frederick Smock, Diana Norma Szokolyai, Dan Veach, Carl Winderl, Michael T. Young
Calls & opportunities
17 listed
Manuscript submissions
Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31
Reading feeNo
Response time3 to 6 months
Simultaneous submissionsYes
Unsolicited submissionsYes
Writers should approach Finishing Line Press with a clear understanding of its chapbook focus and its preference for poetry that balances accessibility with craft. Before submitting, read several recent titles from the press to gauge its editorial sensibility—work that is often personal, image-rich, and attentive to sound and line. For the New Women's Voices competition, follow the guidelines precisely: typically 20–30 pages of poetry, a title page, and a table of contents, with no identifying information in the manuscript itself. Simultaneous submissions are generally accepted, but notify the press immediately if the manuscript is placed elsewhere. Response times can be several months, so patience is advised. If submitting outside the competition, query first or check the website for open reading periods. The press values professionalism and courtesy; a brief, well-written cover letter that situates your work within the chapbook tradition is appreciated. Do not send unsolicited full-length manuscripts unless explicitly invited.
We have no reading fee for the month of November. Please submit your manuscripts to us via submittable during November. We do accept manuscripts year round for a small fee; however, there is no fee duing November.