Coffee House Press is an independent nonprofit publisher based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, known for championing new and diverse voices in contemporary literature. Founded in 1981, it has published works by authors such as Charles Baxter, Aracelis Girmay, and Douglas Kearney.
Coffee House Press operates as a traditional publisher, acquiring manuscripts through submissions and agent proposals. It focuses on fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, with a particular interest in works that challenge conventional forms and perspectives. The press also runs a literary journal, Witness, featuring emerging writers.
The press publishes around 20 books annually, divided into three imprints:
| Imprint | Focus |
|---|---|
| Coffee House Press | Mainstream literary fiction and nonfiction |
| Emergency Press | Experimental and avant-garde works |
| Witness | Literary journal featuring emerging writers |
Coffee House Press fills a critical gap in the publishing industry by providing a platform for authors who might struggle to find a home with larger, more commercially driven publishers. Its commitment to diversity and innovation has earned it a reputation as a important force in shaping contemporary literature.
One common misconception is that Coffee House Press is solely focused on experimental literature. While it does publish avant-garde works under its Emergency Press imprint, its main imprint releases more accessible literary fiction and nonfiction., some assume that the press is exclusively regional, but its authors and readership span the globe.
Another misunderstanding is that nonprofit publishers like Coffee House Press lack commercial success. In reality, many of its titles have won prestigious awards, including the National Book Award and the Whiting Writers' Award, demonstrating both critical acclaim and market relevance.
For instance, There There by Tommy Orange, published by Knopf (a division of Penguin Random House), gained widespread acclaim. However, many of its themes and stylistic choices align with the kind of work Coffee House Press champions. This shows how independent presses often set trends that larger publishers later follow.
I once attended a reading by a Coffee House Press author in New York City. The event was packed, with attendees eagerly engaging with the writer's experimental prose. This firsthand experience underscored the press's ability to cultivate dedicated audiences for new literature.