February at Unsolicited Press: Sales, Zoom Talks, and a Whole Lot of Bookish Mischief
Hey literary rebels,
February is here, which means we’re one step closer to spring, but let’s be real—nothing warms the soul quite like a new book. And right now, we need books more than ever because the assholes in office are trying bring us down. Lucky for you, we’ve got plenty of those coming your way, along with epic sales, Zoom talks, and a book fair (yes, with beer). Buckle up, bookworms—it’s fixing to get wild.
🔥 March Madness (But Make It Books) 🔥
Starting in March, we’re running DAILY book sales. That’s right—every single day, a different book will be on sale, and the only way to know which one? Follow us on Instagram for the announcements. If you’re waiting for a sign to stock up on indie lit, this is it.
Don’t Forget to Buy Books from Indie Outlets.
We don’t mince words: stop buying books from Amazon. Seriously. We know we’ve shared Amazon links with you all before and that’s because Amazon is a huge market—not to mention, you can “steal” from them when you buy our books if they are highly discounted (feel free to ask us about this!). And we won’t stop you from buying our books or merch on Amazon (we appreciate your support)…
But you know what? Fuck Bezos. We request that you snag our books via Bookshop—where your purchase actually helps keep independent bookstores alive.
📢 We’re Fully Distributed by Asterism Books!
Big news: Unsolicited Press is now distributed by Asterism Books—which means our books are easier to find, order, and distribute to bookstores nationwide. If you’re an indie bookstore, librarian, or book buyer, this is your cue to stock up on some of the best under-the-radar books out there.
📅 Upcoming Events: Where to Find Us in the Wild
🔥 February 19 – Literary Nights with Rosalia Scalia 🔥
It's the Year of the Womxn at Unsolicited Press. This year's readings will focus on authors whose works are being published in 2025 as part of the Year of the Womxn Campaign. Listen in to hear works by women fiction writers, poets, and essayists. Tomorrow night, you can tune into the reading via YouTube (it’s live!!!!!).
🍻 March 23 – Book Fair at Breakside Brewery (3-6PM) 🍻
Books, beer, and badass indie publishers—what more could you want? Join us and Forest Avenue Press at Breakside Brewery (Slabtown location) for an afternoon of fantastic reads, great drinks, and exceptional people. Come chat snag books and support two Portland small presses that have been fiercely steered by women since 2012.
📚 AWP 2025 in Los Angeles – We’re Bringing the Party
We’ll be at AWP 2025 in Los Angeles (March 26–29), and we’re making it worth your while. Show up to our table wearing one of our Unsolicited Press shirts, and we’ll give you a book for 50% off. That’s right—just for repping our funky-as-hell small press, you get a serious discount. If you don’t have a shirt yet, what are you waiting for? Grab one from our site and plan your literary pilgrimage.
📢 Follow Us Everywhere (Seriously, We’re Everywhere)
Want more bookish chaos in your life? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on:
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📘 Facebook
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Your algorithm could use some literary enrichment. When you follow us, you help us reach more readers. Thank you!
📅 Zoom Talks for the Year – Mark Your Calendar!
We’re hosting author-focused Zoom talks for writers, and you don’t want to miss them. All of these events can be found on our EVENTS calendar. We will send out invites to subscribers the week prior to the talk.
📢 03/14 – The New Word of Mouth: How to get readers talking about your book (without bribing them).
📢 04/23 – Author Alliances: The power of cross-promotion—because teamwork makes the book dream work.
📢 05/12 – AI in Publishing: Friend or Foe? Let’s talk about the robots.
📢 06/23 – Beyond the Bookstore: Alternative sales channels for authors who like thinking outside the (big-box) store.
📢 07/16 – The Art of the Query: How to pitch your book without sounding like a desperate ex.
📢 08/25 – Open Table Talk: Bring your burning questions about the business of being an author.
📢 09/23 – Mastering the Post-Publication Hustle: Keeping your book alive after launch (it’s harder than you think).
📢 10/6 – The Art of the Rejection: Why editors say no (and how to get a yes).
📢 11/17 – The Lazy Author’s Guide to Social Media: Maximum impact, minimal effort—because who has time?
📢 12/8 – From Crickets to Rave Reviews: How to get readers buzzing about your book.
February’s Fresh Reads – Your Next Obsession Awaits
🔥 CAN I HAVE A HUG FIRST? by Mary Paula Hunter (2/18/25) – A short story collection packed with humor, tragedy, and all the neuroses that come with being human. Buckle up for some high-energy existential questioning.
🔥 EKPHRASIS AS DIVINATION: AN INCANTATION CATALOGUE by Robyn Leigh Lear (2/11/25) – A mesmerizing blend of poetry, myth, and tarot-inspired language. A must-read for anyone who loves lyrical, deeply symbolic work.
🔥 NO ONE'S LEAVING by Raki Kopernik (2/4/25) – A ghost story, a road trip, and a queer love story all wrapped in a '90s Gen X soundtrack. Expect heartbreak, nostalgia, and existential conversations with the dead.
🔥 THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE AND OTHER STORIES by Nancy Christie (2/4/25) – A moving short story collection exploring love in all its forms—romantic, familial, joyful, and devastating. If love has ever knocked you on your ass, this one’s for you.
That’s it for this month—let us know what’s on your February reading list! Reply, comment, or scream into the void. We’ll hear you.
