About

WATERTOWER PRESS is an independent publisher with a community focus based in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Watertower Press was founded in 2016 to assist authors, poets, and essayists in sharing their work with the world. We believe that thoughtful, challenging, and reflective works are more important than ever, and we strive to deliver those works to the public. Watertower Press is committed to delivering their distinct visions to a curated and discerning audience.

If you have a completed manuscript, you may query us directly by emailing theavenueeditors AT gmail DOT com. Please do not send full manuscripts unless requested in response to a query

We are very interested in diverse voices and identities, and encourage BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, the disabled & neurodivergent, and all marginalized voices to consider publication with Watertower Press.

What We Publish

WATERTOWER PRESS considers works across multiple genres, however, we tend to focus on literary prose (including short story collections, novels, novellas, and narrative nonfiction); e.g. what might be called “up market” or “literary” or “book club” works.

We also consider collections of  poetry, essay collections, and experimental works.

If your work would be more at home in an anthology, please consider submitting to our annual journal. Submissions for  The Avenue are currently open through September 1st, 2026

We look forward to hearing from you, and exploring a collaboration to bring your work to life.

Who We Are

Editor-in-ChiefChris Kosmides
Senior Poetry EditorJonathan Tomick
Prose EditorAmelia Franz
Fiction EditorMeri Robie
Community ManagerDave Heilker