Open Submissions
First Matter Press is now accepting unpublished manuscripts written in English or multilingual works meant for an English-reading audience. Our open reading period is May 1 through November 1, and our guidelines are as follows:
- Submission after June 15: $10 reading fee
- Submission + a First Matter Press title of your choice: $15 reading fee
- Submission + written feedback from our staff: $25 reading fee
All reading fees to be paid through Paypal or Venmo. If you are experiencing any financial barriers to this submission, please reach out.
We will notify submitters of our decisions within one month of receiving your submission. For more information on publishing rights and royalty breakdown, see this additional information. You will retain all future copyrights to your work.
- Manuscripts should be anonymous and book length. We publish chapbooks (25-60 pages) and full-length collections (minimum of 60 pages). Please include a title page, table of contents and an acknowledgements page crediting previously published works from the manuscript.
- In a separate document, include a one-page cover letter introducing yourself, your work and how your writing/editing process exists within community.
- Simultaneous submissions are encouraged, but please notify us if your manuscript has been accepted elsewhere.
- Email your manuscript and cover letter to firstmatterpress@gmail.com with subject line SUBMISSION.
- Please note our tiered submission process.
- Submission after June 15: $10 reading fee
- Submission + a First Matter Press title of your choice: $15 reading fee
- Submission + written feedback from our staff: $25 reading fee
All reading fees to be paid through Paypal or Venmo. If you are experiencing any financial barriers to this submission, please reach out.
We will notify submitters of our decisions within one month of receiving your submission. For more information on publishing rights and royalty breakdown, see this additional information. You will retain all future copyrights to your work.
at First Matter Press Publishes
First Matter Press is committed to breaking down barriers to publication of self-aware waves of literature and fostering community and self-ownership. We have made it our mission to dissolve those obstacles while facilitating writer influence over the definition of quality writing.
First Matter Press primarily publishes experimental and cross-genre manuscripts. We also consider work that does not fit standard publishing categories. We are especially interested in manuscripts by first-time authors and those whose voices remain unheard in the current poetry landscape. We encourage LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC authors to submit.
We take pride in cohesive, professional design that envelopes all manuscripts in a release into an organism larger than itself, which is why our editors and authors collaborate with featured artists on cover art for all titles.
First Matter Press is committed to breaking down barriers to publication of self-aware waves of literature and fostering community and self-ownership. We have made it our mission to dissolve those obstacles while facilitating writer influence over the definition of quality writing.
First Matter Press primarily publishes experimental and cross-genre manuscripts. We also consider work that does not fit standard publishing categories. We are especially interested in manuscripts by first-time authors and those whose voices remain unheard in the current poetry landscape. We encourage LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC authors to submit.
We take pride in cohesive, professional design that envelopes all manuscripts in a release into an organism larger than itself, which is why our editors and authors collaborate with featured artists on cover art for all titles.