AWP 2026 Showcases Literary Resources
by Ken Schept
Around 650 exhibitors lined the aisles at 2026 AWP Conference & Bookfair last month in Baltimore. Here are some that can be particularly useful to CFF members. In a phrase made famous by a historic publication, the Yellow Pages, “Let your fingers do the walking.”
Literary Magazines
Columbia: A Journal of Literature and Art is published by students at Columbia’s School of the Arts writing program. Featuring many writing genres and visual art, the publication appears online and once a year in print.
Fiction – Since its founding in 1972, Fiction has published both established writers and emerging voices. Managing Editor Chris Bonfiglio and Assistant Editor Everest Crawford said they’re open to publishing longer work, including excerpts of novels. Filled with stacks of back issues, the AWP booth had a Strand Book Store feel. I bought a recent issue and two early issues, including a broadsheet from 1973 with a short piece by John Lennon.
Folio Literary Journal is the literary magazine of American University, where I received a BA in English in the 1960s, years before I became serious about writing and the school launched an MFA program. The head of the MFA program, Rhonda Zimlich, author of the debut novel, Raising Panic, invited me to an offsite reading by American MFA alumni, where I met the student editor of Folio, Walker Peters. He said Folio is open to all kinds of stories and was especially interested in stories from incarcerated people. Folio is currently published online only.
Pangyrus, a quarterly literary magazine based in Cambridge, Mass., publishes poetry, fiction, and essays. Founding editor Greg Harris teaches writing at Harvard. When I explained to Greg that many CFF members are writing fiction after accomplished careers in law, medicine, science or other disciplines, he expressed interest in a craft essay about the process of adapting career experience into fiction.
Passager calls itself “The only national literary journal dedicated to writers over 50.” Executive Director Christine Drawl appreciated the benefits of CFF’s intergenerational workshops. The publication is accepting submissions for its next winter issue from July 15 to September 15. Fiction submissions can be up to 4,000 words and can be sent on Submittable, an online submissions manager.
Kenyon — Founded in 1939, and affiliated the Ohio college of the same name, The Kenyon Review has a reputation for publishing acclaimed authors. An intern explained that being in such great company requires getting through a multi-step submissions process. A group of Kenyon students first vet the slush pile for any submissions that fail to meet the guidelines, then the submission moves through tiers of editors.
Small Presses
Apprentice House Press is affiliated with Loyola University in Baltimore. The managing editor, a student, explained how publishing is embedded into the university curriculum. Students focus on editorial, marketing, and other publishing disciplines including cover design. Dave Strang, an Apprentice House author whose Vietnam War novel, Eyes of the River, is about to be published, lauded his student partners and his Apprentice House experience.
Black Lawrence Press — Dana Diehl spoke positively about recently publishing her short story collection, The Earth Room, with Black Lawrence. The publisher put together a marketing plan and an active social media page, she said. Ani Jones, a poet, editor, and Black Lawrence marketing and sales associate, added that the publisher attempts to obtain reviews, develop events, and arrange for podcasts and radio and alumni connections. Black Lawrence equips authors with tools, she said, but doesn’t always have the staff for full implementation.
Galiot Press — Anjali Mitter Duva and Henriette Lazaridis launched Galiot Press two years ago to disrupt the conventions of traditional book publishing. Anjali explained that they developed an alternative, print-on-demand economic model. All authors receive a $1,000 advance and then around 30 percent of sales. To drive sales, Galiot contracts with an outside public relations company and looks for innovative marketing approaches. For example, Galiot is about to partner with a restaurant chain that will provide spaces for “quiet meetings” with related opportunities for book buying and reading. Galiot also borrowed from the restaurant industry to shorten turnaround time. Submissions are handled like online reservations and response time is around a week. The New York Times recently reviewed a Galiot novel, Backstitch, by Marian Mitchell Donahue.
Red Hen Press has wide distribution, obtains book reviews, and supports authors with podcast leads. Given the range of Red Hen services, I asked what differentiates it from a Big Five publisher. Ava Morgan, who’s in charge of contracts and handles sub-rights, translation, and film possibilities answered: Personal connection. Downside: Getting a book to market takes time. Red Hen is committed through 2028. A recent Red Hen book doing well is Kill Dick, by Luke Gobel.
Consultants and Resources
AWP — The Association of Writers & Writing Programs is a resource and advocacy group for creative writers and writing programs. Writers, academics, publishers and others associated with the literary community convene annually at the AWP Conference and Bookfair. Some of the programs from the 2026 AWP event will be posted to the association’s YouTube channel. The 2027 AWP Conference and Bookfair is scheduled for March 17 to March 20 at McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Chicago.
CLMP — Director of Programs Chelsea Oei Kern explained that Clmp (Community of Literary Magazines and Presses) provides a directory of magazines and small presses and is also a clearing house for learning what magazines and presses are open for submission. It seems like an essential tool for a fiction writer, so I signed up.
Jane Friedman — Jane Friedman is the go-to expert for current publishing industry news and analysis, based on the reverence with which co-panelists referred to her during an AWP seminar. She offers many newsletters, both free and paid. Her husband and business partner signed me up for several.