Poetry

We will be reading unsolicited poetry manuscripts in October, 2013. This reading period is only for poets who have not previously been published by Carnegie Mellon University Press. Manuscripts should be in the 48-96 page range.

We are often asked if we are conducting a "first book" contest. We view this reading period as neither a contest nor as being exclusively for first books. Rather, it is a time for us to review manuscripts by writers whose work we might not otherwise be familiar with, or by writers who no longer have an affiliation with another press. Of the six books we publish each year, at least two are selected from this reading period. Some of the poets whose books have been published through the "October" readings are: Rita Dove, Franz Wright, John Skoyles, Lawrence Raab, Thomas Rabbitt, Jerry Williams, Cornelius Eady, James Harms, Mary Ruefle, Margot Schilpp, Kevin Prufer, Amy Beeder, Hayan Charara, Nancy Eimers, Robert Thomas, K.A. Hays, Nicky Beer, and Rachel Richardson.

Submit Poetry

If you wish to have us consider your manuscript, please send it with the following:

1. a self-addressed stamped business envelope for judge's decision;
2. an acknowledgments page which lists where the poems have been previously published; and
3. a reading fee of $15.00 made payable to Carnegie Mellon University Press.

Send manuscripts to:

Due to the large volume of submissions, we are no longer able to return manuscripts. Please do not include any valuable material (photos, reproductions, etc.) as we cannot be responsible for their return. Please do not include pre-paid mailing materials for the return of manuscripts as the United States Post Office postage rates increase frequently. In order to be eligible for the reading period, submissions must be postmarked during October 2012.

Short Fiction

Carnegie Mellon University Press will not be considering short fiction manuscripts during 2011 and 2012.

Nonfiction

Letters of inquiry regarding nonfiction submissions may be directed to:

By fax:

By email:

Please do not send manuscripts.

Other Correspondence

All other correspondence such as general queries, event updates, and press-related correspondence should be directed to CarnegieMellonUniversityPress@gmail.com.