Whittle Micro-Press publishes micro-chapbooks of themed poetry between 8 and 12 pages in length. Whittle was founded in 2023 and has published four micro-chapbooks of poetry by Kelly R. Samuels, Cyril Wong, Abbie Kiefer, and Lauren Davis, with one forthcoming collection by Miranda C. Dennis thus far slated for 2025. They are a paying market, in that the author receives all proceeds, minus website processing fees. You can read more about what they are up to, what they are looking for, and specific call details in my interview with editor Katherine Fallon below.

HOPKINSON: How/why was Whittle Micro-Press originally started? 

FALLON: As an organizer and judge of MAYDAY’s inaugural micro-chapbook contest and a participant in Ghost City Press’ Summer Series, I fell in love with compact, intentional collections. 

At Whittle, we believe the micro-chapbook encourages true consideration of each piece’s necessity, provides a cohesive reading experience, is accessible to those who may not yet know they are readers of poetry, and provides an alternative to the costly, contest-driven, and saturated full-length industry. 

There is value in stopping when we feel the need to stop, in creating something inarguably cohesive with pieces that build upon or inform one another in a way that is thematically evident and not at all belabored. Whittle is a place for that: a press whose intention was to make these complicated and digestible collections and their authors the absolute center of its mission.

HOPKINSON: Who is your target reader audience? 

FALLON: Anyone who wants a beautifully-constructed amuse bouche in their poetry library.

HOPKINSON: What type of work are you looking for? 

FALLON: We like spare, haunting poetry, with short forms being preferable, particularly due to our publication format. The collection must be cohesive and the theme must be apparent (successful themes thus far have explored specific locations, historical and literary figures, and cultural displacement/familial ties). We shy away from religious, humorous, and rhyming poetry. We operate under feminist and human principles and expect the work of our authors to do the same. 

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

FALLON: We would love to see collections influenced by pop culture that do not alienate those who may not be immediately familiar with the references. We’d love to see more heavily themed collections, and more short poems with punch. Purchasing one or more of our collections ($5 each, instant download) will help submitters familiarize themselves with our preferences. All proceeds go to our authors and we do not charge submission fees. Should that not be possible, samples from and details about each collection are available on our social accounts. 

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

FALLON: Meridian, Passages North, Nimrod, Rogue Agent, Storm Cellar, Rust + Moth, Atticus Review, Up the Staircase Quarterly, ROOM

HOPKINSON: What is your favorite part of being on staff with the Whittle Micro-Press?

FALLON: My first instinct is to say sending acceptance emails, but I think the truth of it is helping accepted authors bring their work to light. We engage in collaborative marketing with our authors, from book covers to social media engagement. 

HOPKINSON: Where can we send submissions? 

FALLON: whittlemicropress@gmail.com, subject line Submission

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

FALLON: whittlemicropress@gmail.com

• SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Year round
• THEME(S): Open, but a cohesive theme is required.
• FORMAT: PDF
• SUBMISSION FEE: None 
• PAYMENT: Authors receive all proceeds, minus website processing fees. 
• ISSUE FREQUENCY: 4 – 5 collections a year
• AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME: 1 – 2 months
• SUBMISSION METHOD: Email, and please reference guidelines before submitting
• SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS: Yes, please withdraw your work immediately if selected for publication elsewhere
• FORMS: Poetry, prose poetry
• SOCIAL MEDIA:  Linktree
• LISTINGS: CLMP, Chill Subs, Duotrope

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