River River Books was founded by Amorak Huey and Han VanderHart in March 2022. Inspired by the idea that you cannot step in the same river twice, two poetry editors join together to publish (at least) two exceptional poetry titles a year. By limiting their press catalog, the editors commit to supporting authors and their books with focused attention and joy. Beginning January 2026, the press now publishes the Plainwater Nonfiction Series; its first two titles are Backyard Alchemy by J. D. Ho and There Is News Along the Ohio River by Beth Gilstrap.
Selected authors Lauren Camp, Jennifer A Sutherland, Rachel Edelman, Carla Sofia Ferreira, Corrie Williamson, Joe Wilkins, Jameela F. Dallis, Elane Kim, Preeti Vangani, E.G. Cunningham, Zoë Ryder White, Elizabeth Sylvia, J. D. Ho, and Beth Gilstrap.
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Manuscript submissions
Reading periodMay 1 to May 31
Reading feeNo
Response time3 to 6 months
Simultaneous submissionsYes
Unsolicited submissionsNo
We are looking for poetry that knows itself—its locales, its region, its speaker. Poetry that is particular, rooted. Poetry that transgresses or extends or deepens our conception of concepts–gender, race, ability, sexuality, labor, borders, continents, language. Poetry that is spoken and lived, but has found its home on the page. Poetry that does not see itself above others, but that lives with and among others.