small press

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.

January 31, 2026

Write With Us: A Call for Human-First Contributions to the UP Blog

Stephanie Johnson Lawson Book Publishing, Submissions AI and creativity, art, artificial intelligence, blogging, books, call for contributions, call for submissions, contributor call, Creative Writing, curiosity, digital culture, ethics in AI, Healing, human-first, Independent Publishing, innovation, intentionality, justice, language, literary community, nature, Publishing, queerness, reflection, small press

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 […]

Promotional graphic for the S2 Small & Self-Publishing Faire on May 17, 2025, at BOLD Coffee & Books in Portland. The left side shows a bookstore shelf and event details: vendors from 11 a.m.–4 p.m., book lovers mixer from 4–6 p.m., and author readings from 6–8:30 p.m. The right side highlights "Catch Unencumbered Press at S2 – May 17 at BOLD Coffee & Books."

May 14, 2025

Catch Unencumbered Press at S2—May 17 at BOLD Coffee & Books

Unencumbered Press Against the Current, Altered Tarot, Book Publishing, Bookstores, Marketing Insight, Media Appearances, The End of Love Against the Current, Altered Tarot, book events 2025, book fair, Independent Publishing, indie books, literary community, portland events, small press, tarot deck, Unencumbered Press

Come See Us at the S2 Small & Self-Publishing Faire This Saturday! If you’re in the Portland area this weekend, stop by the S2: Small & Self-Publishing Faire at BOLD Coffee & Books—Saturday, May 17! Unencumbered Press will be there sharing our work and connecting with readers, creators, and fellow indie lovers. Our publisher and founder, Stephanie Johnson Lawson, will be at the table from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with signed copies of Altered […]

August 15, 2024

What’s It Like to Publish with Unencumbered Press?

Stephanie Johnson Lawson Admin, Book Publishing, Submissions, Transparency author involvement, author partnerships, author support, book marketing, creative collaboration, crowdfunding, independent press, indie publishing, Publishing, publishing contracts, publishing industry, rights management, royalty structures, small press, submitting work

Thank you to everyone who has already submitted work to Unencumbered Press! We’ve loved reading your poems and creative pieces. It’s been fantastic connecting with such talented writers, and we’re excited to continue discovering more. If you’re a writer or creator, we invite you to submit your work and join us on this journey.