UPK Seeks Submissions for New Poetry and Prose Series

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 10, 2017) — University Press of Kentucky (UPK) is now accepting submissions for the next publications from its New Poetry and Prose series. The series seeks to publish creative works that exhibit a profound attention to language, strong imagination, formal inventiveness and awareness of one's literary roots. The deadline for authors to submit poetry, fiction and short stories is May 1.

Past works included in the series have already achieved much critical acclaim. The inaugural volume, Rion Amilcar Scott's "Insurrections: Stories," was named the winner of the 2017 PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction. "Insurrections" offers glimpses into the world of the residents of the fictional town of Cross River, Maryland, a largely black settlement founded in 1807 after the only successful slave revolt in the United States. The town anchors the narrative and serves as a testament to the richness of African-American history and culture.

Next in the series was Brianna Noll's "The Price of Scarlet: Poems." This collection explores the intersection of the scientific and the fantastical. Her subjects range from woolly mammoths and star-nosed moles to Japanese origami and Greek myth. Noll's poems, which are taut and lyrical, short-lined, enjambed, often explore what it might mean to be an "other."

UPK's New Poetry and Prose series is edited by Lisa Williams, the Paul L. Cantrell Associate Professor of English and director of the creative writing program at Centre College. Williams is the author of three collections of poetry, "Gazelle in the House," "Woman Reading to the Sea" and "The Hammered Dulcimer," and a recipient of the Rome Prize, the Barnard Women Poets Prize, the May Swenson Poetry Award and an Al Smith Individual Artist Grant from the Kentucky Arts Council. The series advisor board includes Camille Dungy, Rebecca Morgan Frank, Silas House, Davis McCombs and Roger Reeves.

Authors wishing to submit should include full manuscripts along with a cover letter, author biography and complete contact information. Questions about entry can be directed to the editor, Lisa Williams, at KYPress@uky.edu. Full submission guidelines can be found here.

UPK is the scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, representing a consortium that includes all of the state universities, five private colleges, and two historical societies. The press’ editorial program focuses on the humanities and the social sciences. Offices for the administrative, editorial, production and marketing departments of the press are found at University of Kentucky, which provides financial support toward the operating expenses of the publishing operation through the UK Libraries.