Lit Fox Books is an independent literary press and bookstore based in the United States, founded with the aim of championing poetry and literary fiction that might otherwise be overlooked by larger commercial publishers. Its ethos is rooted in a commitment to the book as a physical object and to the slow, attentive reading that such objects encourage. The press operates a modest but carefully curated list, often featuring authors whose work is formally adventurous yet emotionally accessible. The Lit Fox Poetry Prize for a previously published book reflects this mission: it seeks to bring renewed attention to collections that have already appeared, often with small presses, and that deserve a wider readership. By focusing on previously published work, the prize acknowledges the precarious life of poetry books and offers a second life through reissue, distribution, and critical advocacy.
Calls & opportunities
4 listed
Manuscript submissions
Reading periodVaries
Before submitting to the Lit Fox Poetry Prize, read the full guidelines on the website, as eligibility is limited to previously published books, often with a required publication date window. Confirm that your publisher or you hold the rights to the work, as reissue is a common outcome. The press values clear, unadorned cover letters that state the book’s history and your intentions for a new edition. Avoid overhyped comparisons; instead, describe the book’s formal concerns and its place in your body of work. Because Lit Fox is a small operation, response times can be long, so submit well before any deadline and do not query before the stated reading period. If you are an author with a manuscript rather than a published book, this prize is not the right fit; look instead to the press’s general submissions, which open periodically.
Books
Explore titles from the press’s catalogue.
Book covers aren’t available yet
Visit the press’s website to explore its catalogue.