American Reader Series

The open reading period for unsolicited manuscripts for the American Reader Series (literary fiction of the highest caliber and works of prose about poetry and poetics) is now Closed. Please check this page periodically for updated submission information.

As of April 2007, BOA now publishes literary fiction through its American Reader Series. While aesthetic quality is subjective, the fiction that BOA publishes will be written by authors more concerned with the artfulness of their writing than the twists and turns of plot (i.e. the majority of genre writing such as mystery, science fiction, horror, etc.). As with our poetry, the first criterion for publishing any book will be its artistic excellence.

Our strongest current interest is in short story collections (and short-short story collections), although we are willing to consider novels. We strongly advise you to read our first published fiction collections [I Carry A Hammer In My Pocket For Occasions Such As These] by Anthony Tognazzini, [Unlucky Lucky Days] by Daniel Grandbois, and [Glass Grapes and Other Stories] by Martha Ronk to get a sense of ouraesthetic taste for fiction. Upcoming fiction authors include [Jessica Treat], Joanna Howard, and Craig Morgan Teicher.

The American Reader Series will also remain a venue for works of prose about poetry and poetics.

American Reader Series Submission Guidelines

WE DO NOT ACCEPT ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS

• Submit only one book-length, complete manuscript at a time. Page count is open, but 300 pages should be considered the high end. 
• Manuscript should be double spaced.
• Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with sufficient return postage.
• Send the manuscript Attn: Fiction Submission.
• Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Note simultaneous submissions in your cover letter and notify BOA immediately should your submission be accepted elsewhere.
• Include a cover letter with relevant publishing history.
• In the case of literary fiction, include a brief synopsis or description of the work. Do not send a query. Send the complete manuscript.

Allow a minimum of four to five months for reply.

American Reader SeriesTitles

After-Images: Autobiographical Sketches W. D. Snodgrass

Breaking the AlabasterJar: Conversations with Li-Young Lee Edited by Earl G. Ingersoll

Christmas at the Four Corners of the Earth Blaise Cendrars

Glass Grapes and Other Stories Martha Ronk

I Carry A Hammer In My Pocket For Occasions Such As These Anthony Tognazzini

Meat Eaters & Plant Eaters Jessica Treat

Pig Notes & Other Dumb Music: Prose on Poetry William Heyen

To Sound Like Yourself (out of print) W. D. Snodgrass

Unlucky Lucky Days Daniel Grandbois
Walking Light Stephen Dunn
You Alone Are Real to Me: Remembering Rainer Maria Rilke (out of print) Lou Andreas-Salomé