Editor Interview: Modern Artist Press

literary fiction

Catapult, Deep Vellum, Feminist Press, Graywolf Press, Tilted Axis Press, Tin House, Two Lines Press

(My background is in English and art history, and so I have favorite writers and artists even though Modern Artist Press only publishes books.)
Writers: Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, Elaine Castillo, Michael Chabon, Hernan Diaz, Kim Fu, Lauren Groff, Mira Jacob, Jocelyn Nicole Johnson, Catherine Lacey, Laila Lalami, Carmen Maria Machado, Fatima Farheen Mirza, Noor Naga, Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi, Julie Otsuka, Deesha Philyaw, Jesmyn Ward, Rachel Yoder
Artists: Anni Albers, Louise Bourgeois, Elizabeth Catlett, Judy Chicago, Helen Frankenthaler, Artemisia Gentileschi, Guerilla Girls, Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keefe, Dorothea Tanning, Suzanne Valadon, Remedios Varo, Kara Walker

Modern Artist Press looks to expand and explode the definition of a modern artist by publishing literary fiction. By using the term “modern artist” for contemporary writers, I am already taking an expansive view of this definition, but I also see the authors in Modern Artist Press’s catalog pushing literary fiction in new directions.

First, I recommend focusing on your writing and getting your manuscript into the best shape it can possibly be, even if it takes longer than you hoped and expected.
Second, once you have completed your manuscript, you will want to figure out what your publication goals are and what you are looking for from your publisher. This also takes time and research, but it will help you find the press who will bring your book into the world and support your writing career for the long term.

I don’t think there is an ideal submission. The best submissions are the ones where the writing has surprised me, where both the story and the way the story is told feel new.

It is very, very clear when someone has submitted their work without knowing anything about Modern Artist Press (i.e., submitting work in genres we don’t publish; addressing their cover letter with “Dear Sir or Madam”; requesting consideration for literary representation and/or literary agent services).

I review all submission components, but the most important one is the writing in the manuscript excerpt.

The manuscript will go through several rounds of editing (substantive editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading) before the book is published.

Yes.

Each book has a tailored marketing plan that I develop with the author to promote their book through media features, social media and email campaigns, book events, and other activities.