Guidelines: The Summer Kitchen Series

(currently closed)

The Summer Kitchen Series features three to five titles each summer, published in a limited edition of only 49 copies, 25 of which go directly to the poets. Titles are selected by the editor. In 2020, just to shake things up, we invited direct submissions for this series. We will continue to select two titles from our January submission window. Here are the complete guidelines:
  • You may submit more than one manuscript, but please send them separately.
  • Please do not double-dip: If your manuscript is currently under consideration for another of our series, please do not send the same work for this series. Multiple submissions are welcome as long as they are not already under consideration for another of our series.
  • The reading period will extend from January 1 – January 31, and the selected title(s) will be scheduled for publication in summer of 2023.
  • There is no reading fee; however, we do ask that you familiarize yourself with at least some of the work published in this series (a sample poem from each chapbook is published on the authors’ pages at sevenkitchenspress.com). 
  • Submit a paginated manuscript of 16-20 pages of poems with no more than one poem per page. Include a title page and a table of contents, but no identifying information in the manuscript. Do not include images of any kind. Please don’t use fancy fonts.
  • In a separate file, please provide the manuscript title, author name, address, email and phone number. This file should include acknowledgments if anything in the manuscript has been previously published. Please also provide a brief biographical note, and title the document according to the following format: Summer_Your Last Name.
  • In your brief (one paragraph) biographical note, include a statement of any previous or pending book or chapbook publication. (We need this information in order to read your manuscript in its proper category; we are very open to work by new writers and this series is designed to showcase both emerging and established poets.) 
  • We seek work from a diverse range of voices and backgrounds, especially writers who have been traditionally marginalized. We have always been interested in new poets as well as more established writers, but please send your best work. 
  • Please follow all guidelines. Manuscripts received without necessary information will indicate to us that you have not spent adequate attention to presenting your work. It’s always a good idea to check any publisher’s website for complete guidelines rather than rely on second-hand sources.
  • The collection may contain a series of poems or one single chapbook-length poem.
  • Collaborative works are welcome. Should a winning manuscript be collaboratively written, author copies will be distributed equally (for example, two authors writing collaboratively would receive 15 copies apiece, or 30% of the print run).
  • Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify us promptly if your manuscript is accepted elsewhere by sending an e-mail to sevenkitchenspress at gmail dot com.
  • Submissions must be postmarked or e-mailed between January 1 and January 31, 2023, and manuscript(s) will be selected on or before April 1. Two manuscripts will be chosen for the series through this submission window.
  • Authors will receive updates throughout the process: once finalists have been selected, they will be notified by email, and all other entrants will be individually notified via email. 
  • Manuscripts will not be returned. E-mailed submission is preferred, but you may send via regular mail.
  • If sending by mail, please use a binder clip and mail flat in an 8.5 x 11 envelope. Please do not use expedited delivery services; your postmark date is sufficient to ensure your entry qualification, and we will allow 7-10 days for receipt of all entries mailed after January 31. Use First-Class Mail and consider spending the money you’ve saved on a chapbook from a small, independent press! Mail your manuscript to: Ron Mohring, Publisher; Seven Kitchens Press; 2547 Losantiville Ave; Cincinnati OH 45237.
  • If sending by e-mail, please send your manuscript in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx file); include the words “Summer Kitchen Chapbook” in the subject line of your e-mail, and please title your document Summer_Your Title. Send to sevenkitchenspress at gmail dot com.
  • Manuscript titles will be posted, alphabetically by title, on the Seven Kitchens Press site (remember to refresh this page to see the most current information).
  • There is never a reading fee; however, we will gratefully accept any donation that you wish to make in support of this series. Checks may be made out to Ron Mohring; Paypal donations may be sent to sevenkitchenspress at gmail dot com. Please feel free to reach out directly via the email address above if you would like to discuss other options.
  • Please consider purchasing titles in this series. For a modest donation of $10 with your manuscript entry, we are happy to send you a copy of any available title in this series.  
  • Please direct any inquiries to publisher Ron Mohring via the above email address. Though we welcome and appreciate social media connections, we might not see questions posted there.
  • Please notify us of any changes in your contact information, especially your e-mail address!

Titles in this series: