University Press of Kentucky Launches Imprint for Black Writers
The University Press of Kentucky has announced the launch of Screen Door Press, a new publishing imprint with a focus on Black writers, edited by author and former Kentucky poet laureate Crystal Wilkinson.
"In the past few years more books have been published by people of color but there is still a significant gap in the industry and so many talented Black authors get missed in the big machine of publishing,” said Wilkinson in a statement. “It is often the case that all Black writing (even if it is written well) is not valued by mainstream publishers. It is my hope that this imprint is able to make a significant impact on helping bridge that gap for Black writers.”
Screen Door Press will publish up to two titles annually, with the first titles slated for spring 2025. Submissions will go through the University Press of Kentucky’s normal publication process, including peer review, editorial board approval, copyediting, production, and marketing. Call for submissions will open February 1, 2024, and close March 15, 2024. The first imprint titles will be published in Spring 2025.
