OUR BOOKS!
Steel Toe has published 30 books since 2003 and began publishing prose in 2020. Please see our full catalog HERE!
Please send us your edgy and risk-taking, diverse and dynamic work! All subject matter welcome, inclusive of historically marginalized voices.
2024 PRIZES
We're pleased to announce the Steel Toe Books 2024 Prize in Poetry opened January 2, 2024! The 2024 Prize in Prose will launch in January 2024 after we’ve announced the 2023 winner.
All books submitted to the awards are considered for general publication and are published as print and eBooks. In addition to the winner, we look to publish 1-2 other titles in each category.
Awards Deadline September 1, 2024 All submissions are read blind and adhere to the CLMP Contest Code of Ethics.
2024 Full Length and Chapbook Reading Periods
Alongside our prizes we host quarterly full-length book reading periods in each genre, and a chapbook category which includes an honorarium and copies. We publish 1-2 chapbooks per year. Books selected from our general open category receive a regular royalties-based contract, copies, and significant marketing for the title. We submit all titles to awards and reviews. Editors in house read general open submission titles blind and look for personal and emotional connections to the work.
Our full-length book submission period for poetry and prose until Deadline March 31 for the 1st Quarter (Winter), the 2nd Quarter (Spring) Deadline TBA, 3rd Quarter (Summer) Deadline TBA, and 4th Quarter (Autumn) Deadline TBA will be announced in succession.
Our Chapbook submission period is open until Deadline August 1, 2024.
NOTES
Please see individual entry categories for guidelines. All submissions are read blind and adhere to the CLMP Contest Code of Ethics.
Multiple submissions are accepted, but please inform us promptly of a withdrawal.
All submissions should be polished, final drafts.
Please see individual categories for deadlines.
Multiple submissions are accepted, but please inform us promptly of a withdrawal.
A Note on Re-Submissions / Edits: Please take care to dot your i's and cross your t's. We cannot entertain most requests for edits once submitted. Folks are allowed to re-submit to the open or prizes, but it's typically best to allow some time to pass before resubmitting and or to have worked on the piece in a substantial way. It's best not to re-submit to the open in the same year.
*Please use direct messaging via social media for instructions on how to apply for a fee waiver if you are suffering hardship of any type.
Steel Toe Books looks to publish 1-2 full length books from our open submission pool, selected by the editors and other staff each year. Our open submission period will be looked at with a different eye, favoring connection and personal criteria. We offer 15 copies and a standard publication contract, with invitations to events and readings (pandemic permitting). All books are sold via BookShop, Amazon, and other venues.
Submissions may be declined or accepted on a rolling basis. It will generally take us 9-12 months to reply, sometimes less and occasionally more. If it's been 12 months or you have an offer and would like to check the status of your manuscript, please reach us through the Submittable interface or through social media.
Submission Guidelines:
Please include a short bio in the section below and attach your submission separately with no identifying marks. Please make sure to space the bio and write everything clearly and concisely. Poets do not need to include a synopsis.
We encourage all identities, peoples, and positive beliefs to submit!
Manuscript Formatting Guidelines:
12 point font, single space for poetry and double space for prose. Standard font style.
***please remove author name and other author identifying remarks from the submission***
Submissions may be accepted or declined on a rolling basis.
Deadline:
November 30 for Fall 2024
Steel Toe Books looks to publish 1-2 full length books from our open submission pool, selected by the editors and other staff each year. Our open submission period will be looked at with a different eye, favoring connection and personal criteria. We offer 15 copies and a standard publication contract, with invitations to events and readings. All books are sold via BookShop, Amazon, and other venues.
Submissions may be declined or accepted on a rolling basis. It will generally take us 9-12 months to reply, sometimes less and occasionally more. If it's been 12 months or you have an offer and would like to check the status of your manuscript, please reach us through the Submittable interface or through social media.
Submission Guidelines:
Please include a short bio in the section below and attach your submission separately with no identifying marks. Please make sure to space the bio and write everything clearly and concisely. Poets do not need to include a synopsis. We encourage all identities, peoples, and positive beliefs to submit!
Manuscript Formatting Guidelines:
12 point font, single space for poetry and double space for prose. Standard font style.
***please remove author name and other author identifying remarks from the submission***
Submissions may be accepted or declined on a rolling basis.
Deadline:
Nov 30 for Fall 2024