Here is a list of chapbook publishers. They’re in no particular order, and I’m only listing presses that accept unsolicited submissions and don’t charge a reading fee. Before you send your manuscript anywhere, read a chapbook or two the press has actually published and see whether your work would sit comfortably beside them. A press that loves formal verse won’t be the right home for loose experimental work, and the other way around. If you want the bigger picture on contests versus open submissions versus doing it yourself, I wrote a full guide on how to publish a chapbook.

Prolific Press has to be on top of this list. They are very well respected with a huge following and they make beautiful books. “The Prolific Press Chapbook Series celebrates the tradition of chapbooks by offering a publication venue intended to support writers.”

Dancing Girl Press is a favorite of mine, because they offer neat chapbooks and focus on publishing female writers. “The press has published over 300 titles by emerging women poets in delectable handmade open-run editions.”

Ugly Duckling Presse seems to invite people from all over the world to submit. “We look forward to receiving submissions from all corners, and we especially encourage submissions from new writers, translators, and people living outside the US.”

Underground Voices is edgy. “Underground Voices started as an online literary magazine in 2004 publishing hard-hitting, raw, dark fiction, flash fiction and poetry.”

Anvil Press is established, but may only accept Canadian writers. “Anvil Press is a literary publisher interested in contemporary, progressive literature in all genres. We must stress that we are a small publisher, publishing 10 – 12 titles per year.”

Red Bird Chapbooks seems like a creative bunch. “We publish quality, handcrafted chapbooks, broadsides and pamphlets that introduce aspiring and inspiring writers and artists to a larger audience.”

You can find more chapbook publishers by searching Google or Bing for chapbook contests, or by sifting through the listings at Duotrope. Be careful, though: many other chapbook publishers are vanity presses because they charge fees, or have hidden fees, like making you sell copies in advance. If you know of another chapbook publisher with no fee, let me know!

Not sure a press is the route for you? You can always make the booklet yourself. My step-by-step guide to making a chapbook covers layout, printing, and binding, and Prolific Press will print a finished chapbook for about five dollars a copy if you’d rather not do the folding and stapling at home.