In this issue About Town explores several local publishers that contribute to our rich literary scene.
27 N. 4th St., #400
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 612-338-0125
Fax: 612-338-4004
www.coffeehousepress.org
Coffee House Press, an award-winning nonprofit publishing company, has been percolating ideas and literature since 1984. Originally, CHP started as Toothpaste Press in the early 1970s, publishing chapbooks, pamphlets and books with a letter press. In 1984, Toothpaste Press changed their name to Coffee House Press and started modern and high volume publishing methods. Today, they aspire to publish writing by lesser known writers and poets, allowing them to extend their voices to the larger literary community. Who do they encourage? Under the Submissions section, CHP says that they look for "emerging and midcareer authors," genres ranging from fiction to poetry. Their small staff chooses 14 titles to publish per year, and ten of those works are fiction. Among these titles for 2004 are earthling by Steve Healey and Shut Up Shut Down by Mark Nowak. This publishing company wants to draw eager readers in to exchange ideas as if they were indeed in a coffee house. I think CHP succeeds in drawing in authors and readers alike to discuss literature and the world around them.
Open Book Building
Suite 300
1011 Washington Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: 612-332-3192; or 800-520-6455
Fax: 612-215-2550
www.milkweed.org
I am proud to say Minneapolis is the home of the nation's largest independent, nonprofit publisher. Milkweed Editions sprang up in 1979, and since then their books have received 190 awards.
After reading their organization's goals, programs and activities, ME show that they are still very dedicated to bringing enthralling literature to the public and building a literary community. Recent ME titles include Ordinary Wolves by Seth Kanter and Katya: a Novel of the Russian Revolution by Sandra Birdsell. ME publishes fiction, poetry, nonfiction about the natural world (The World as Home section), and literature for young readers. Also, ME seeks submissions for their Livable City web project. The project is looking for writing (prose, poetry, fiction, and non-fiction) focused on people's lives in cities. Please note that ME does accept unsolicited submissions to publish books, however they don't accept submissions sent via e-mail.
2402 University Avenue
Suite 203
Saint Paul, MN 55114
Fax: 651-641-0036
wolves@graywolfpress.org
www.graywolfpress.org
In 1974, Graywolf Press started its humble beginnings in founder Scott Walker's backyard "print shack" in Port Townsend, WA. Now, Graywolf Press proudly boasts publishing poetry, fiction, non-fiction, memoirs and essays by literary luminaries such as Tess Gallagher and Dana Gioia, among others. Graywolf has won many awards, and their backlist is exhaustive. It is exciting to read about publishing companies with meager beginnings that continue to expand and sustain literary endeavors.
Like Coffee House Press and Milkweed Editions, the Graywolf Press web site gives readers the option of reading excerpts from books they publish. Another fun part of their website is the Poem of the Week section. After digesting the poem, you can check out the Events and Author Tours section to find out if any of these writers will be reading their work in your town. Please take a look at their website to become familiar with this "rare breed of publisher."
P.O. Box 64383
St. Paul, MN 55164
Phone: 800-THE-MOON
www.llewellyn.com
Llewellyn Worldwide publishes Wicca, magick, astrology, psychic development, and many other New Age and occult-related books. Llewellyn George founded this publishing company in 1901 on the West Coast (first in Portland, OR and then in Los Angeles). Llewellyn started publishing books about astrology, and later expanded their selection to other New Age topics. In 1954, Llewellyn George passed away. Carl Weschcke bought the company in 1960, and he continued its legacy in St. Paul, MN. (Minnesota seems to be a fertile ground for literature.) In addition to New Age topics, Llewellyn offers health and wellness and self-help books. Also, teens and tweens can find age-appropriate books. Overall, Llewellyn has an impressive selection for the modern astrologer, Wiccan, or tarot reader.
4796 N. 126th St.
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
www.jpresspublishing.com
This small, independent publishing company has been in business since 1998. They publish one to three books per year, and j-Press is open to many genres. Overall, j-Press publishes "books for enlightenment, entertainment and practicality." Stories range from a memoir about getting cancer to murder mysteries that take place in Pine County, MN. Though a small press publisher, you can pick up many of their books at bookstores, gift shops, and libraries about town.
Suite 290 111 Third Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 612-627-1970
Fax: 612-627-1980
Email: ump@umn.edu
www.upress.umn.edu
As one may assume, University of Minnesota Press publishes mainly academic books ranging from subjects about critical theory, social and cultural thought, race and ethnic studies, and feminist criticism. The Test Division of the Press publishes personality assessments such as the MMPI- and MMPI-A. To find out about what the editors are looking for in submissions, please take a look at their Press Fact Sheet and Submission Guidelines on the web site.
© 2005 by Jesmia Avery.