Autumn House Press

About Us

Autumn House Press was launched in 1998 when prominent American publishers, driven by economic concerns, dramatically reduced their poetry lists and important contemporary poets were left struggling to find publishers. Small presses are now publishing some of the most important poetry in America, and are largely nurturing the great American poetic tradition. We want to ensure that this tradition continues.

We believe poetry is an affirmation of the deep and elemental range of our human experience, and our need for it is as crucial now as it ever has been. We are committed not just to publishing the prominent poets of our age, but also to publishing first books and lesser-known authors who will become the important poets of their generation. We pledge to edit this poetry with devotion and care, and to create beautiful books that are worthy of it.

In 2008, we supplemented our poetry list by initiating a series of fiction titles. These books receive the same attention to design and manufacture as our award-winning poetry titles.

Besides publishing books, Autumn House has three additional programs. We publish Coal Hill Review, an online poetry magazine; we sponsor two national literary contests; and we collaborate with Pittsburgh community venues to present The Autumn House Master Authors Reading Series.

Please consider joining us by purchasing our books, encouraging their adoption as classroom texts or library resources, making a donation or bequest, volunteering your time, or participating in our annual poetry and fiction contests.

Our Mission

• Autumn House Press is a nonprofit corporation registered in the state of Pennsylvania whose mission is to publish and promote poetry and other fine literature.
• The press will concentrate on publishing the work of excellent contemporary writers who have a following among readers, but whose work has been overlooked by commercial publishers.
• In the belief that a book is not only a readable text but also an object of art, the press is dedicated to producing beautifully designed, well-manufactured books on acid-free paper.
• To these ends, the press will seek out the best possible book designers, illustrators, poets, writers, and editors.
• This dedication to quality will, however, be balanced against considerations of cost in order to make the books affordable to all.

About our Founder

Since 1998, Michael Simms has led the Autumn House community in building one of the most influential independent literary organizations in the country. Currently serving as Editor-in-Chief, he coordinates the selection, editing, design, manufacture, and marketing of our publications. He is the author of five collections of poetry: Black Stone, The Happiness of Animals, The Fire-Eater, Migration, and Notes on Continuing Light, as well as the co-author of The Longman Dictionary and Handbook of Poetry. He has taught at The University of Iowa, Southern Methodist University, The Community College of Allegheny County, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, and Duquesne University. He lives with his wife Eva and their two children in the historic Mount Washington neighborhood overlooking downtown Pittsburgh and the Monongahela River.

About our Executive Director

Richard (Rick) St. John joined Autumn House in 2007, bringing over 25 years of experience in nonprofit management. At the Press, he’s responsible for organizational development, administration, fundraising, outreach and education. His book of poetry, The Pure Inconstancy of Grace, was published in 2005 by Truman State University Press, after placing 2nd in the T. S. Eliot Prize competition. His poems have appeared in Sewanee Review, Poet Lore, Carolina Quarterly and other periodicals, and he has given readings across the country. Rick received degrees in English from Princeton University (B.A., summa cum laude) and the University of Virginia (M.A.). In 2002, he completed a mid-career Loeb Fellowship at Harvard University. He lives in the Greenfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh with his wife, Kate.