Porkbelly Press is an independent micro press specializing in handbound, small & open edition runs of chapbooks, micro chapbooks, zines, broadsides (letterpress & lithograph & screenprint), and Sugared Water. They create beautifully done handmade books with gorgeous artwork. (I own many). They are currently open for chapbook submissions of poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, hybrid, and art until January 31 and will be open for micro chapbooks in July. See my interview Editor Nicci Mechler and a link to submission guidelines below.

HOPKINSON: Tell me a little bit about Porkbelly Press.

MECHLER: Porkbelly Press is an independent micro press based in Cincinnati, Ohio. We support works by authors all along the identity spectrum, are queer friendly, support immigrant and indigenous voices, and favor work grounded in identity and personal/familial experience, particularly those with a touch of fabulism, folklore, or magic. Speculative work is welcome here, as is humor. Our books are bound by hand using traditional bookbinding methods, and our covers are produced in small and open edition, using lightfast inks and heavy papers. We strive to make books that are a delight to read and to hold.

HOPKINSON: How/why was Porkbelly Press originally started?

MECHLER: Porkbelly Press was launched in 2014. I didn’t see many feminist chapbook presses open to speculative elements, books that touch on spellwork, particularly handbound ones. I have degrees in art and writing, and both are important to me when it comes to chapbook design. Though the press began as a hobby, it’s since taken on a much larger life.

HOPKINSON: Who is your target reader audience?

MECHLER: Open minds of all ages and backgrounds looking to connect with one another.

HOPKINSON: What type of work are you looking for?

MECHLER: Work that feels like a secret, a call to action, or a hand reaching out to say I’m here with you. You’re not alone. Let’s do this together.
Intimate work, activist work, work about identity that reveals personal and greater truths — work with a hint of fabulism or folklore or magic, poems, essays, and short fiction or art that makes you look up from the page, to take a moment to think about it. Works that linger in your mind well after you’ve put the book down.

HOPKINSON: What do you wish you’d see submitted, but rarely comes in?

MECHLER: We would love to see more witchy work, familial heritage, works by immigrants, and first chapbooks. We’ve been lucky to receive work in those areas, but always want more!

HOPKINSON: What are some of your favorite lit mags/journals?

MECHLER: I have to thank our poets and authors for always leading me to great journals in their previously published lists. Some of the places include: Room Magazine, Bone Bouquet, Luna Luna, Crab Fat, So to Speak, and Still.

HOPKINSON: What is your favorite part of being on staff with Porkbelly Press?

MECHLER: Discovering new-to-me voices, first time books, manuscripts that are so sharp and beautifully done that I’m honored to bind them into book form.

HOPKINSON: Where can we send submissions?

MECHLER: Our submissions queue is hosted at porkbellypress.submittable.com. We read in January for chapbooks, July for micros, and also host calls for anthologies, the lit mag Sugared Water, and body image zine Love Me, Love My Belly, all at different times through the year.

HOPKINSON: If someone has a question, how can they contact you?

MECHLER: Email is the best way to query! porkbellypress@gmail.com. During our heavy reading periods, email replies can run slow.

DEADLINE: January 31, 2021 

SUBMISSION FEE: None

FORMS: Chapbooks of 12-28 pages (Poetry, Short Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Hybrid, Art)

FORMAT: print

SUBMISSION METHOD: Submittable

AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME: 2-3 months

SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS: Yes

PAYMENT: Payment is typically offered in the form of 10 handsewn copies and a discount (20-40% depending on production format & costs) on additional author copies. (See guidelines for more details)

SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

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