| Blair | |
| Nasdaq: | --> |
| Predecessor: | Carolina Wren Press |
| Founder: | Judy Hogan |
| Country: | United States |
| Headquarters: | Durham, North Carolina |
| Distribution: | Consortium Book Sales and Distribution |
| Publications: | Books |
Blair (incorporated as The Carolina Wren Press, Inc.) is a literary small press publisher based in Durham, North Carolina, founded in 1976 as Carolina Wren Press by Judy Hogan. The press mainly publishes poetry (both full collections, and limited-edition chapbooks), but also publishes fiction and nonfiction, biography, autobiography, literary nonfiction by and/or about people of color, women, gay/lesbian issues, health and mental health topics in children's literature.
Each year, Blair honors one writer with the Doris Bakwin Award. As a literary small-press publisher, many members of the Board of Directors, as well as many previous judges for various contests, are volunteers from across the country.[1]
As a small press, the publisher is different from many mainstream publishers for several reasons. First, it is nonprofit organization whose mission is to publish quality writing by writers historically neglected by mainstream publishing. And second, it seeks to develop diverse and vital audiences not simply through publishing, but also through outreach and educational programs.
From Judy Hogan's personal essay:
In 2017, Carolina Wren acquired the trademarks and back catalog of the Winston-Salem–based publishing house John F. Blair, which had been founded in 1954. The publisher began doing business as Blair effective January 1, 2018.
In odd-numbered years, with a postmark deadline of February 15, the publisher reads full-length poetry collections by emerging authors who haven't had more than one full-length book published.
In even-numbered years, with a postmark deadline of February 15, the publisher reads submissions to the Doris Bakwin Award for Writing by a Woman.
Doris Bakwin Award
Poetry Series