During our June and November Open Reading Periods, we accept submissions in the following categories: novel, novella, short story collection (full-length and chapbook), poetry (full-length and chapbook), biography & cultural studies, and creative nonfiction.
Black Lawrence Press is happy to select many of our titles through our twice-annual Open Reading Periods in June and November. We ask all submitters to select one Black Lawrence Press publication at a discounted price ($14, including shipping for print editions). Proceeds from the open reading period will go directly back into supporting the activities of the press.
A list of publications to choose from will display on the Subfolio categories during the submission window. Submitters should follow the instructions on Subfolio to select a publication and submit a manuscript.
Summer Reading Period: June 1 – June 30
How to Submit
Black Lawrence Press accepts submissions exclusively through our online submission manager. For our June 2026 Open Reading Period, we are using Subfolio. We are not able to accept submissions via email or postal mail.
All manuscripts should include a title page (including your name and contact info), table of contents, and when appropriate, an acknowledgments page. Manuscripts should be paginated and formatted in an easy-to-read font such as Garamond or Times New Roman. Please follow the length requirements on Subfolio for the category to which you are submitting. Please include a brief bio or something about yourself in your cover note on Subfolio.
Manuscripts containing individual stories, essays, poems, or excerpts that have been previously published online or in print are absolutely eligible–please simply note previously published work on an acknowledgments page. On the other hand, if your manuscript has been previously published as a whole (including publication with a press, self-publication, online/digital publication, and publication in a small, limited-edition print run), then the manuscript is not eligible.
- Simultaneous submissions are acceptable and encouraged, but please notify us by withdrawing your manuscript on Subfolio immediately if it is accepted for publication elsewhere.
- Multiple submissions (the submission of more than one manuscript during the open reading period) are permitted.
- Collaborative manuscripts are welcome.
- Hybrid/multi-genre submissions are also welcome; please enter under the submission category that best fits your work.
Need help with our submissions manager?
Visit https://subfolios.com/help
We look forward to reading your work!
