To capture, present, and preserve the vitality of modern literature; and to meld poetry and art into artistic pieces that go beyond children's picture books.
Who We Are
A small independent publishing company that primarily produces high-quality, limited-run poetry chapbooks. We have also created two short fiction collections and four full-length books. The Press was created along with Bardfest, a 30 day poetry festival in Berks County, PA to bring out work by those participating in that festival. While the Press has evolved from this original intent, the focus remains that art happens everywhere and that books can be works of art themselves, both in the quality of the language and the beauty of the presentation.
Our primary focus for the past five years has been to publish collections by authors at the beginning of their careers, i.e. their 1st-3rd works. Lately we have also decided to play up our natural strength of creating books that are visually appealing, combining imagery and words, and packaging the collections as a completed thought- a collectable, covetable object.
While publishing books is our primary focus, Plan B Press emphasizes the "plastic" nature of the poetry art form that we champion, by encouraging collaborating with artists from other mediums in exhibitions, performances, and publication that go beyond traditional form. We aim to continue our commitment to "cutting edge" uses of technology in the presentation and preservation of art.
History
Initially publishing poets from Central Pennsylvania, Plan B Press now explores, promotes and presents the work of under-published authors, primarily poets, introducing new voices to the literary community and strengthening ties between language and image; and publishing five to ten titles per year.
Plan B Press began as the brainchild of stevenallenmay and Dianne Miller in 1998. Plan B Press evolved out of a poetryzine called "Two Thought Minimum". In 2003, control of the press was passed to stevenallenmay and Katy Jean May, who initiated an editorial and geographical shift with a move to Philadelphia. The reach of the press expanded to other states, and in 2005 to other countries. Plan B Press continues to grow and define itself by not only the authors that it publishes, but also by its readers.
Now, Plan B Press is in the process of transitioning into a 501c3 non-profit in order to better serve not only the authors it publishes, but also the community at large. By being able to expand its catalogue of wonderful grass-roots writers, it has the opportunity to enrich the literary community at the same time.
Artistically, Plan B Press is looking for artists who are not entirely comfortable with the confining tag of "poet" or "writer" but who sees his/her own work as something beyond labels. In 2005 Plan B Press began developing a new division called "Stay At Home Press" specializing in "art books."
We accept manuscripts, but due to our schedule we only read them between June 1st and November 30th of each year. We ask that you NOT send manuscripts from January through April due to submission confusion with the chapbook contest. We strongly encourage authors who have published very few to zero books, but are eager to start the process. When sending a manuscript to us, please note the following:
1) Note the number of books you have published both self and not. If none, state it.
2) Tell us whether you perform your work at readings or slams.
3) Please send a collection of work. Two poems, unless they are epically long, does not equal a collection. But please note: Unless a manuscript is incredibly special, we publish almost exclusively chapbooks, not full-length books. 20-30 poems is the range we are looking for.
4) Be open to feedback.
5) Unless a large enough envelope (with enough postage) is included, manuscripts will NOT be returned. Otherwise, please include an e-mail address or a postcard for a response.
6) We are very interested in chapbook ideas with a visual component, even if the idea is not fully fleshed out. We can create the visuals for you if you have an idea. Come with ideas!
Quotes we live by
The book must be the unified work of the author and the designer. As long as this is not the case, splendid exteriors will constantly be produced for unimportant contents, and visa-versa.
El Lissitzky
from Do Not Separate Form from Content!(1931)
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..�however, the way in which words are used, both verbal and written, is frustrating to me. They are too easily manipulated.
That is one of the reasons why I avoid using them in my books.
