https://www.gardenpartycollective.com/chapbooks-2024
Garden Party Collective is made of writers who want to create a space that treats publishing as an invitation. Not only do we want to support the growth and development of authors, but we aim to honor the process with collaboration in each stage—from seedling to germination to full bloom—and everything in between.
We hope to grow the party by inviting authors to join the Collective after their publication so they can nurture the future cohort of authors. As the Collective grows, we know some things will change, but collaboration and generosity will always be at our core.
Values that will guide us from the outset:
-
an emphasis on new writers without published collections
-
a preference for underrepresented narratives and styles
-
open to all genres and forms, but looking for work with risk and urgency
-
no submissions fees
-
close mentorship from collective members
-
transparency and involvement in every aspect of their publication journey and book design
-
ongoing optional involvement in the collective for future projects and the chance to pick the new generation of voices
A note for transparency: At the GPC, we are entirely self-funded by our founder's day job. Since all of our contests are completely free, and our chapbooks are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis, we operate at a continuous loss. This aligns with our core mission: to share exceptional writing with anyone who is interested, regardless of financial circumstances.
That said, it's important to note that each GPC chapbook costs us approximately $5 to produce (covering the fees for artists, designers, and printers) and an additional $4-5 for bundling and shipping.
To help offset some of these costs, we’ve introduced a shipping fee. Additionally, we ask that the $1 chapbook option be reserved for readers with limited financial resources. This option is not intended for bulk purchases. If you're a bookstore or retailer, please reach out to us directly so we can discuss a suitable arrangement.
Lastly: while we use padded envelopes for shipping, if for some reason you receive a damaged chapbook, please contact us and we'll work out a refund or exchange!