Old Scratch Press (OSP), a poetry and short-form collective sponsored by Current Words Publishing, is seeking two new members to join us starting at the end of 2025. Your book would be slated for publication in 2026–2027, pending a successful trial period.
OSP is a collaborative, grassroots press focused on uplifting fresh, bold voices in poetry, flash fiction, and creative non-fiction. We publish three books per year, along with Instant Noodles Lit Mag (3 issues/year), which is curated and edited by our members. To learn more about our work, we invite you to explore past editions of Instant Noodles https://instantnoodleslitmag.com/ and OSP-published books https://oldscratchpress.com/catalog/.
As a member of OSP, you will:
- Receive a free publication of your manuscript (poetry, short prose, hybrid, or a mix of writing and art).
- Get 10 free copies of your book and keep 100% of your royalties.
- Participate in monthly OSP meetings (except December and August).
- Proofread and support fellow members’ books and contribute to blog and promo efforts.
- Be invited to monthly marketing meetings hosted by Current Words Publishing.
- Join a supportive community of working writers committed to mutual aid, creativity, and literary growth.
We’re looking for:
- Writers with a completed or nearly completed manuscript ready for publication in 2026–2027.
- People who can commit to at least two years of active participation.
- Writers who reflect diversity in identity, perspective, or experience—including (but not limited to) people of color, LGBTQ+ writers, disabled writers, and others underrepresented in publishing.
- Applicants who are not full-time creative writing faculty. We aim to support writers who do not already have institutional resources or access.
- Writers who have a track record of publication (a few poems, flash pieces, essays, etc.), and a clear desire to communicate something meaningful through their work—someone we can respect as a fellow writer and collaborator.
- Members who are kind, reliable, and team-oriented.
A note about our trial period:New members will begin with a six-month trial period before we formally commit to publishing your book. This ensures a good fit and gives everyone time to build rapport, share work, and participate in OSP activities.
To apply:
Please send the following:
- A brief cover letter introducing yourself, why you’re interested in joining OSP, and how you’d contribute to the group.
- A short author bio (3–5 sentences).
- A brief personal essay (500–750 words) about your writing journey. Feel free to include publication history (with links or footnotes) and anything you’d like to share about the manuscript you hope to publish.
- A sample of your manuscript-in-progress (up to 10 pages).
Applications will be reviewed collectively by current OSP members. Finalists will be invited for a short conversation via Zoom.
If this sounds like your kind of creative home, we’d love to hear from you.
