Small Press Points

Founded by fiction writers Robert James Russell and Jeff Pfaller, the Chicago-based micro press Midwestern Gothic (midwestgothic.com/mg-press) is a new extension of the literary magazine of the same name, a quarterly print journal based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, devoted to publishing work about or inspired by the Midwest, by writers who live or have lived there. The press adheres to a similar mission, its editors devoted to “shining a spotlight on Midwest authors by focusing on works that showcase all aspects of life—good, bad, or ugly.” The press, which plans to release only one or two books a year, published its first title, This Jealous Earth, a debut story collection by Wisconsin author Scott Dominic Carpenter, last January; the press’s second release, the novel Above All Men by Ohio author Eric Shonkwiler, will be published in March 2014. The editors seek to publish writers both emerging and established, whose books “aim to celebrate what makes the Midwest such a unique place, highlighting our mythologies, stories, and culture.” Midwestern Gothic Press will open submissions in February 2014. In the meantime, submissions of poetry and fiction for the magazine are open via the online submission system through November 7; the next issue will be released in January.