Queries


Beginning September 1, 2011, Pond Road Press will accept queries regarding poetry chapbook and full length poetry book publication. We do not initially read entire  chapbook and book length manuscripts. We do not accept paper manuscripts at this time. We do not ask for a reading fee for queries or for manuscripts. We do not at this time run a contest. We would like queries to concern existing manuscripts that are substantially ready for publication. Please format your query according to the guidelines below.


Chapbook Query (chapbook manuscripts must be a minimum of 24 to maximum of 47 pages):  Email the following information formatted into one Word 97 compatible (.doc), rich text file (.rtf),  or PDF (.pdf) file to our address, pondroadpress@hotmail.com:

  • Cover letter with manuscript title and how you heard about PRP
  • Short bio
  • A short description (less than 50 words) of your chapbook
  • Six or seven poems from the manuscript.

Book Length Query (book length manuscripts must be a minimum of 60 pages to a maximum of 80 pages): Email the following information formatted into one Word 97 compatible file (.doc), rich text file (.rtf),  or PDF(.pdf) file to our address, pondroadpress@hotmail.com:

  • Cover letter with manuscript title and how you heard about PRP
  • Short bio
  • A short description (less than 50 words) of your chapbook
  • Eight to eleven poems from the manuscript.

We generally respond within four weeks. If we like the poems we may ask to see the whole manuscript. PRP pays authors 25 copies in lieu of royalties, and offers a substantial discount on author purchased copies. Authors are not required to purchase copies of their books and there is no minimum sales threshold required to initiate publication. Literary excellence is the sole driver for publication with Pond Road Press. That said, we encourage our authors to work hard toward publicizing and selling their books, considering the economic realities of the book business, both for the author and the publisher.


PRP publications are available on Amazon.com as well as other online vendors like Barnesandnoble.com, in advance of actual publication dates. PRP publications are available to booksellers through the Ingram distribution channel. PRP does not sell books directly on this website, having opted to sell online with specialized online booksellers because of the logistical support they are able to provide. PRP books are, however, available directly from PRP, individually on in bulk. Direct orders may be initiated by emailing us at pondroadpress@hotmail.com and will be filled by snail-mail. Thank you for having a look at us and for considering placing your work with Pond Road Press.