We were open for the month of January and received 142 manuscripts — this was the most we’ve ever received and we’re so grateful to everyone who trusted us with their words. And there were so many wonderful manuscripts, it made our decisions very hard but ultimately here are the manuscripts that made the longlist:

We’ll reread these manuscripts and make the (very tough) decision on which we’ll publish — stay tuned for the winners!

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In other exciting news, Underwater by Jill Michelle is now available for pre-order!

This collection is an exploration in grief: two pregnancies lost at twenty weeks, a father consumed by Alzheimer’s, a body assaulted, a marriage failing. This collection carries the reader on a tidal wave of emotions, making them fight for every breath. In this visceral collection we see survival and strength, even when the speaker feels only the undertow of emotions. Underwater will carry you along on its current and leave you on the edge of land—breathless and shaken, but grateful for reading and surviving its storm.

We interviewed Jill so you could get to know her, read the interview here.

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We’re busy prepping for AWP next month find us at table T923 at the bookfair and we’ll have an offsite reading on Thursday, 27 March — more details soon!

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Prompt!

This newsletter’s prompt comes from Stitched on Me by Hilary King.

We can’t wait to see you next month at AWP!

Stay safe and sane friends!

Best,

Courtney LeBlanc

Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Riot in Your Throat