About Airlie Press
Founded in May 2007, Airlie Press consists of six members, all active poets. Each member shares in the editorial and book production responsibilities of Airlie Press and serves for a three-year term. All funds earned through book sales and contributions go toward creating new books of poetry.
Our process involves the submission of a full-length manuscript of poetry during an annual open submission period and an interview for our finalists with current press members. Of the submissions we receive, we evaluate manuscripts thoroughly and select promising work by authors willing to collaborate with our consensus-based group. As a press, we commit to participate in the ongoing conversation and practice regarding inclusion and equity. To this end, we encourage submissions from underrepresented voices and poets from marginalized communities.
Airlie members meet once a month on Sundays to discuss and delegate current tasks pertaining to the preparation of manuscripts for book production. This involves careful editorial discussion of the selected manuscripts as well as a review of our production schedule. Editorial communication continues beyond meetings for the purpose of sustaining a clear and inclusive consensus-based process.
Airlie is a well-respected publisher, and its titles have received significant recognition, including finalist for the Oregon Book Award, finalist for the da Vinci Eye Award in Design, and short list for the Eric Hoffer Book Award, among others.
Airlie Press is supported by individual book sales, by contributions to the press from its supporters, and by the donation of time by all the poet-editors of the press.
Airlie Members
Current Members
Daneen Bergland, Ching-In Chen, Irene Cooper, Joy Manesiotis, Valerie Witte, Nicole Zdeb; Intern: Karina Agbisit
Members Emeriti
Deborah Akers, Chris Anderson, José Angel Araguz, Jon Boisvert, Brittney Corrigan, Amelia Díaz Ettinger, Cecelia Hagen, *Donna Henderson, *Matridarshana (Jess) Lamb, Gary Lark, Stephanie Lenox, Annie Lighthart, *Carter McKenzie, Karen McPherson, Jessica Mehta, Anatoly Molotkov , Darlene Pagán, Jennifer Perrine, Jennifer A. Reimer, Tim Shaner, Connie Soper, *Anita Sullivan, Kelly Terwilliger, Tim Whitsel, Dawn Diez Willis
*Founding member
Advisory Board
Judith Barrington, Barbara Drake, Ruth Gundle, Dorianne Laux, Naomi Shihab Nye, Paulann Petersen, Martha Rhodes, Maxine Scates, Chase Twichell, Ingrid Wendt, Eleanor Wilner, John Witte
Our Mission
We are a nonprofit publishing collective dedicated to cultivating and sustaining fine contemporary poetry. We produce beautiful and compelling books by Pacific Northwest poets; our mission is to offer writers in the region a shared-work publishing alternative.
Distribution
Airlie Press is committed to ensuring that its titles reach the widest audience possible. Our books are professionally designed, edited, and printed; authors receive 25 complimentary copies of their work and are able to purchase additional copies at wholesale prices. All titles are available online through the Airlie Press website [until recently, they were also available to retailers through our national distributor, Small Press Distribution; Amazon; and Bookshop.org; however, due to the recent closure of SPD, we are currently in the process of establishing a new distribution channel]. The press maintains individual contact with independent bookstores to make sure its titles are available for purchase throughout Oregon and Washington.
How We Support Our Authors
When authors commit to a three-year term with Airlie Press, they gain valuable editorial experience and a nurturing community of skilled poets. Our press thrives on the gifts of time and talent of its members; here are just a few of the ways we aim to return the favor.
Marketing & Events
Airlie promotes new titles through a variety of promotional activities. While our marketing budget is small, the press knows the value of attending literary events, and we make use of our extensive literary contacts to set up readings for authors. We have a presence regionally at the Portland Book Festival and nationally at AWP. We also promote our titles through our newsletter to our list of supporters and through social media.
Reviews & Awards
The editorial staff oversee the submission of titles for book competitions and awards, including the Oregon Book Awards, the Pushcart Prize, and many more. Review copies are distributed widely to an array of media outlets, for reviews and interviews to promote authors and their books.
What Our Authors Say
“My time at Airlie Press was a foundational moment in my literary career, and it’s an experience that I have no doubt will continue to resonate. As an editor, I broadened my poetic community and sensibilities and learned the value of collaborative problem solving and empathy-driven conversations. As an author, I felt that my work was treated with respect, curiosity, and above all a desire to create a beautiful book that contained poems that were as strong as they could possibly be. Airlie’s mission to uplift the voices of poets is dear to my heart, and I was happy to have the opportunity to give back to other writers and readers during my time with the press. I’m honored and humbled to be a part of the Airlie Press family, and I’m excited for all of the poetic perspectives that will continue to be added to the catalog and editorial board for years to come.” ”
“I submitted to Airlie because I liked the idea of a collective, and the amount of say and support it would give me for my book. I’ve deepened some existing friendships and formed new ones, all through our mutual love of poetry and good books—what could be better than that?”
“Poetry for me means more than just the writing of poetry—it also means engaging in the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the art. Along with the opportunity to see my manuscript published, I see working with Airlie Press as a chance not only to learn more about the publishing business in a collaborative setting, but also to get to know the region’s poetry community better.”
“I have become increasingly convinced of and committed to the idea that our literary communities must find ways to support and sustain themselves through collaborative effort, access and involvement. I have been inspired and heartened by Airlie’s initiative in creating a press that is run collectively by its authors and that offers a publishing venue for Northwest poets. The seven titles already in print have established Airlie’s reputation as a publisher of high-quality books of poetry, both in content and production. I am particularly enthusiastic about the fact that Airlie takes a consensus-based approach and involves its author-members in all stages of the editorial and book production process.”