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Venetian Spider Press

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Independent publishing3 open opportunities listed

About the press

Venetian Spider Press is an independent publisher and artist-run space based in Venice, Italy, dedicated to the intersection of contemporary poetry, visual art, and the book form. Founded in 2015 by a collective of poets and printmakers, the press emerged from a desire to create a slower, more tactile counterpoint to the digital deluge—a place where text and image are given equal weight and where the physical object of the book is treated as a site for exhibition. Its core mission is to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue through limited-edition publications, exhibitions, and residencies that prioritize process over product and collaboration over solitary authorship. The press operates out of a small studio near the Giudecca, where its letterpress and binding equipment share space with a reading room and project gallery.

Publishing focus

Quality and creative poetry and fiction.

PoetryFictionNovellaShort Story CollectionsNovelPoetry Collections

Selected authors
John Burroughs, Cat Russell, Carlo Parcelli, Daniel McTaggart, William F. DeVault, R. Nikolas Macioci, Mark A. Murphy, Doc Janning, Sandra Feen, Lawrence George Jaffe

Calls & opportunities

3 listed

Manuscript submissions

Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31
Reading feeNo
Response timeLess than 3 months
Simultaneous submissionsNo
Unsolicited submissionsYes

Artists and writers should approach Venetian Spider Press with a clear sense of how their work engages the book as a medium—not merely as a container for text or images. The press favors proposals that demonstrate an awareness of typography, paper, and binding as expressive elements. Before submitting, review their catalog to understand their aesthetic range, which spans minimalist poetry chapbooks to sculptural artist books. Submissions are typically open twice a year; check the website for specific calls. Include a concise project description, a statement of intent, and visual or textual samples that convey the intended physical form. Collaborative projects are welcome, but individual vision and craft must be evident. Response times can be slow due to the hands-on nature of the press; patience is advised.

When you send your manuscript, at least do a spell check. We get some real underworked manuscripts! In order to query us about your book project, please use our website’s contact form. No AI!