Alice James Books
Website
About the Publisher
Founded as a feminist press in 1973, Alice James Books is dedicated to collaborating with literary artists of excellence whose voices have been historically marginalized. The press produces, promotes, and distributes work that often engages readers on important social issues. Alice James Books provides a platform to elevate exceptional literary artists and helps writers achieve purposeful engagement with broad audiences and communities nationwide.
The press was founded by seven individuals: Patricia Cumming, Marjorie Fletcher, Jean Pedrick, Lee Rudolph, Ron Schreiber, Betsy Sholl, and Cornelia Veenendaal in Boston, MA. Their initial goal was to give voice to women poets whose work was greatly under-recognized. Named after Alice James, sister of philosopher William James and novelist Henry James, the press draws inspiration from her struggle for self-expression within repressive Victorian notions of gender and femininity.
While maintaining its commitment to its founders’ mission, AJB has expanded its scope to include poets of all genders, backgrounds, and career stages. The press is known for its collaborative partnerships with authors and meticulous attention to book aesthetics. After two decades in the Boston area, Alice James Books moved to Farmington, ME in 1994 where it maintained a nearly 30-year affiliation with the University of Maine at Farmington. In 2022, the press relocated to its current home on the Pineland Farms campus in New Gloucester, ME. In 2014, the press revised its cooperative structure to create separate editorial and business boards, establishing its first Board of Directors to strengthen its financial health and future.
Submissions
The 2026 Alice James Award is currently open to submissions through October 17th, 2025. The contest welcomes full-length, previously unpublished poetry manuscripts from emerging and established poets residing in the United States. Submissions must be 48-100 pages in length with a $30 entry fee.
Manuscripts are screened anonymously, with each submission read by at least two people. Finalists are selected and then reviewed by the Editorial Board, which chooses the winner. The winning manuscript receives $2000, book publication, and distribution through Consortium. Additionally, one or more manuscripts may be selected as the Editor’s Choice for publication.
Alice James Books also has a Translation Series, though it is not currently accepting submissions. The press does not accept unsolicited manuscripts outside of the award period.
Information
What do you publish?: Poetry collections, including works by emerging and established poets, as well as translated poetry (when the Translation Series is active).
Year Founded?: 1973 in Boston, Massachusetts by seven co-founders committed to publishing women poets.
Do you accept unsolicited submissions?: Yes, but only during the Alice James Award submission period (currently through October 17th, 2025). Outside of this period, unsolicited manuscripts are not accepted.
Do you charge for your services?: Yes, there is a $30 entry fee for the Alice James Award competition. However, this is a submission fee rather than a publishing fee. Winners receive $2000 and publication.
Address: Alice James Books Auburn Hall, 60 Pineland Drive Suite 206 New Gloucester, ME 04260 United States of America
Email: PA@alicejamesbooks.org
Categories: Taking Submissions, Poetry Book Publishers, University Book Publishers, Literary Book Publishers, Independent Publishers
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