Transparency Archives - Unencumbered Press

A sepia‑toned archival photograph of a priest in clerical clothing standing at a podium labeled “The University of Portland,” speaking into a microphone during a formal event.

July 2, 2026

Go Beyond the Archives with Tyler Bieber

Tyler Bieber Against the Current, Author's Post, Biography, Book Publishing, Nonfiction, Transparency, Tyler Bieber Against the Current book, archival research, biography writing, Catholic history, Catholic priesthood, Congregation of Holy Cross, Father Tom Oddo, Historical Research, indie publishing, interview process, oral history, Oregon Historical Society, Pietro Belluschi, Portland history, religious biography, University of Portland

Tyler Bieber goes beyond the archives to share Father Tom Oddo’s story, revealing insights that printed records alone can’t capture.

June 26, 2026

Help Convince Kickstarter We’re Cool

Stephanie Johnson Lawson Against the Current, Biography, From the Publisher's Desk, Marketing Insight, Nonfiction, Promo Videos, Transparency, Tyler Bieber audiobook, campaign update, crowdfunding, Father Tom Oddo, indie publishing, Kickstarter, LGBTQ history, pre‑launch, Projects We Love, small press

Follow our Kickstarter pre‑launch page to strengthen our case for a Projects We Love badge.

Banner graphic reading “The State of the Press” over a collage background featuring newspaper coverage of Against the Current, tarot cards, and Unencumbered Press materials.

February 12, 2026

The State of the Press: Celebrating Recent Projects and What’s Ahead at Unencumbered Press

Unencumbered Press Against the Current, Book Publishing, Marketing Insight, Media Appearances, Submissions, The Altered Tarot Deck and Guidebook, Transparency Bluesky, Claire Willett, creativity, digital culture, fantasy novel, Independent Publishing, indie publishing, indie publishing update, open submissions 2028, poetry chapbook, poetry chapbook 2026, small press, small press publishing, social media, submissions, Willamette Week, Willamette Week review, writing

This season at Unencumbered Press has been marked by both reflection and forward motion. From thoughtful coverage of Against the Current in Willamette Week to the steady, intuitive engagement readers continue to bring to the Altered Tarot deck, our recent projects have found meaningful homes in conversation. At the same time, we’re building carefully toward what’s next—new titles in development, submissions under review, and a deliberate rethinking of the digital spaces we inhabit. The work remains rooted in complexity, care, and trust in our readers.

December 17, 2025

Who Can Afford to Be “Award-Winning” in Independent Publishing?

Stephanie Johnson Lawson Accessibility, Book Publishing, Marketing Insight, Transparency book award entry fees, equity in publishing, foreword indies, gatekeeping in publishing, ibpa book awards, independent publishing awards, indie book awards, indie publishing industry, lambda literary awards, micro press publishing, publishing access, publishing economics, small press publishing

December 15, 2025

Companion Resources for Against the Current

Unencumbered Press Accessibility, Against the Current, Biography, Book Publishing, Nonfiction, Transparency, Tyler Bieber archival research, author resources, book appendices, book research, extended photo gallery, Independent Publishing, living bibliography

Introducing the Living Bibliography and Extended Photo Gallery for Against the Current Books don’t end when they’re printed. They continue through reading, conversation, memory, and reference. As part of the publication of Against the Current: Father Tom Oddo and the New American Catholic by Tyler Bieber, Unencumbered Press is sharing two accompanying resources on our website: a living bibliography and an extended photo gallery. These materials are best understood as appendices—designed to support the book, […]

October 31, 2025

We’ve Joined the Independent Book Publishers Association

Unencumbered Press Admin, Book Publishing, Transparency community publishing, IBPA, Independent Book Publishers Association, Independent Publishing, intentional publishing, literary publishing, Pacific Northwest, publishing news, small press

We’re Growing! Unencumbered Press continues to grow, both in scope and community. We’re excited to share that we’re now a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), the largest not-for-profit trade organization for independent publishers in the U.S. For our readers, authors, and supporters, this step matters. Joining IBPA connects us with a nationwide network of publishers who share our commitment to intentional, intelligent, innovative, and intuitive publishing. It also provides us with access […]

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