The AWP Small Press Publisher Award is an annual prize for nonprofit presses and literary journals that recognizes the important role such organizations play in publishing creative works and introducing new authors to the reading public. The award acknowledges the hard work, creativity, and innovation of these presses and journals, and honors their contributions to the literary landscape through their publication of consistently excellent work.
The 2025 contest was judged by Brent Ameneyro, Judy Halebsky, and Keenan Norris, who selected Autumn House Press as this year’s winner. Honorable mentions go to our two finalists, Alice James Books and Tia Chucha Press.
AWP reached out to Christine Stroud, editor in chief of Autumn House Press, to ask about the press and what it means to win this award.
Tell us about Autumn House Press and its mission.
Started in 1998, Autumn House Press is Pittsburgh’s only nonprofit independent literary publisher. We are dedicated to supporting and showcasing exceptional voices in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction from emerging and established authors. Our goal is to champion unique and surprising literary works that challenge conventions or fall outside the margins of commercial trends. Simply, we love helping writers bring their stories into the world.
What kinds of work do you seek for publication?
We’re drawn to work that’s emotionally resonant and formally adventurous. We are always looking for work that, while grounded in the personal, is also engaged with the larger world and the myriad of contemporary issues we all face. Across genres, we value voices from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, and we’re especially interested in work that engages with questions of identity and place.
What does winning the AWP Small Press Publisher Award mean to you?
It means so much! Winning the Small Press Publisher Award is a tremendous honor and affirmation of the work we’ve been doing for over two decades. As a small but dedicated team devoted to amplifying literary voices, it means a great deal to be recognized by our peers for our commitment to authors. We can’t thank AWP enough for supporting the press and our writers.
What are you looking forward to most at #AWP26?
We’re always excited to reconnect with the literary community at AWP, and especially excited to check out the literary scene in Baltimore. At #AWP26, we’re looking forward to celebrating our authors, discovering new voices, and connecting with fellow publishers and our readers.
Autumn House Press is an independent publisher based in Pittsburgh, PA. We specialize in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, supporting thought-provoking work and championing emerging and established authors, including Ada Limón, Gerald Stern, Danusha Lameris, Michael X. Wang, Clifford Thompson, Chana Bloch, and many more. Autumn House believes literature affirms the deep and elemental range of our human experience, and our goal is to create beautifully crafted books that resonate with readers, ensuring that literature remains a vital force in the world.
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