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Small Press

kelseystreetpress.org

Kelsey Street Press

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Independent publishing3 open opportunities listed

About the press

Kelsey Street Press is a nonprofit literary publisher founded in 1974 in Berkeley, California, by a collective of women poets. It emerged from the feminist poetry movement with a mission to publish innovative writing by women, with a particular emphasis on experimental poetry, cross-genre work, and texts that challenge conventional literary forms. Over five decades, the press has maintained a commitment to aesthetic risk and intellectual rigor, often championing voices that mainstream publishing has overlooked. Its catalog includes works by foundational feminist experimental poets as well as contemporary writers pushing the boundaries of language and genre. The press operates as a collaborative, editor-led organization, with decisions made collectively rather than by a single editor or market trends.

Publishing focus

Kelsey Street Press was founded in 1974 to address the marginalization of women writers. From the beginning, the editors linked their editorial policy to a poetics of allowance, and to a poetics of inclusion that embraces racial and cultural diversity. Their early books were handset and printed two pages at a time on a basement letterpress.

PoetryPoetry Collections

Selected authors
Bhanu Kapil, Renee Gladman, Ching-In Chen, Barbara Guest, Myung Mi Kim, Mei-Mei Berssenbrugge, Jocelyn Saidenburg, Susan Gevirtz, Etel Adnan

Calls & opportunities

3 listed
OpenDeadline · 2026-12-26

Kelsey Street Press — Submissions

View opportunity Official listing
OpenDeadline · 2026-12-26

Kelsey Street Press — Submissions

View opportunity Official listing
OpenDeadline · 2026-12-26

Kelsey Street Press — Submissions

View opportunity Official listing

Manuscript submissions

Reading periodMar 26 to Dec 26
Reading feeYes
Response time3 to 6 months
Simultaneous submissionsYes
Unsolicited submissionsNo

Kelsey Street Press accepts submissions periodically, typically through announced reading periods. Before submitting, familiarize yourself with the press's catalog to understand its aesthetic range—work that is formally inventive, linguistically adventurous, and often informed by feminist, queer, or experimental poetics. They prioritize manuscripts by women and nonbinary writers. Submissions should include a cover letter, a representative sample of the manuscript (usually 10–15 pages), and a brief bio. Simultaneous submissions are generally accepted, but notify the press immediately if the work is placed elsewhere. Response times can be lengthy due to the collective review process; patience is advised. The press values work that challenges conventional narratives and forms, so avoid overly conventional or market-driven projects. For current guidelines, check their website or newsletter.

We are interested in experimental work that plays with language, visual art, and the senses.

Explore titles from the press’s catalogue.

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