Dive into the enchanting world of poetry and short form writing with Old Scratch Press members as they celebrate and promote the genius of poetry, short-form, and art, as well as the works and accomplishments of each other:
2025
APRIL:
Book Release:
Gabby Gilliam (founding member, and author of No Ocean Spit Me Out) to release all her short stories gathered into one collection for their first time.
A Taste of Magic invites you to sink your teeth into eleven short stories that all have a hint of magic in them. There are stories for every palate: quick 500 word flash fiction to go with your morning cup of coffee, or more robust stories to savor page after page. No matter which story you choose, the taste of magic will linger long after you’ve finished reading. A Taste of Magic releases April 29th and is available for pre-order now!
MAY:
INSTANT NOODLES:
The new issue, “Current” is live. Read it here.
Submissions for the next issue, “Sanctuary” close on May 18th. Submit today!
Book Releases:
Virginia Watts (founding member, and author of the award-winning short story collection Echoes from the Hocker House) to release Tracing Bodies, a collection of verse about the people who make us who we are.
The poems in Tracing Bodies pulse with the ghosts of the past—childhood shadows, family echoes, and the quiet, enduring presence of the natural world. With lyrical precision and a storyteller’s heart, Watts invites us into a world where the past lingers, grief hums beneath the surface, and beauty can be found in even the most fleeting moments. Preorder available now!
Anthony Doyle (founding member, and author of the Neutropian novel Hibernaculum, a 2024 NGIBA Finalist, and the forthcoming poetry book Jonah’s Map of the Whale) to release his first children’s book written directly in Portuguese, O Livro das Sereias Surpreendentes.
This collection of original short tales about mermaids from around the world and throughout history is also his first outing as an illustrator. O Livro das Sereias Surpreendentes (English title The Book of Unusual Mermaids) is published by Brazilian publisher Grua Infância and is available for pre-order. Official release is May 12. Preorder available now!
Ellis Elliott (founding member, and author of Break in the Field) to release the first mystery in her series of cosy mysteries: A Witch Awakens.
This cosy is about an accidental sleuth who exepriences “peculiars” and finds that they help her solve a local mystery. She also embraces the legacy of the granny women in her family who have certain abilities the protagonist, Cece, is just coming to understand. A Witch Awakens is the first book in the Fire Circle Mystery series. Preorder available now!
Awards Ceremony:
Morgan Golladay (founding member, and author of The Song of North Mountain) and Robert Fleming (founding member, and author of White Noir) have both won awards in the Delaware Press Awards, and will be attending the awards ceremony!
Book Tour, May 19th:
A WITCH AWAKENS is going on tour! See interviews with the author, character posts, and reviews by the tour hosts!
JUNE:
Book Release:
Anthony Doyle (founding member, and author of the Neutropian novel Hibernaculum, a 2024 NGIBA Finalist, and author and illustrator of the children’s book O Livro das Sereias Surpreendentes (English title The Book of Unusual Mermaids)) to release Jonah’s Map of the Whale and Other Poems.
Dive into the mythic in Jonah’s Map of the Whale and Other Poems, a daring and dazzling collection from Anthony Doyle. In the submerged world of Flounder— part everyman, part flatfish—shipwrecked longing, philosophical wit, and lyrical precision converge. Doyle’s sea-born metaphors shimmer with heartbreak, absurdity, and revelation across the tide pools of memory and myth. From underwater boathouses to data-streamed cubicles, Doyle threads ancient voices through postmodern pulses as this collection drifts between high poetry and sly humor, from trenches of despair to flickers of grace. Jonah’s Map of the Whale and Other Poems is a poetic deep-sea dive into the soul accessible to poetry and literature fans alike. Preorder available now.
Book Launch, June 14th:
A WITCH AWAKENS is having a live virtual launch! Sign up to attend!
June 14th
11 A ET
8A PT
Podcast Appearance:
Anthony Doyle to apear on the famous Scottish podcast Spoken Label.
JULY:
Book Launch, July 13th:
Ellis Elliott is having a second book launch with Kirsten Weiss! There will be games and prizes, so invite a friend!
NEW MEMBER Meet-n-Greet, July 19th @ 11A Eastern:
Have you applied, or are you considering applying to join Old Scratch Press as its newest member? Our FIRST meet and greet for new members will be July 19th @ 11A EASTERN. Submit a sample to Duosuma to be sent the Zoom link. NO CHARGE! This is a 100% FREE opportunity.
AUGUST:
OPEN MIC AUGUST 4th:
August 4th from 2-5PM Eastern Old Scratch Press authors will headline Blot From the Blue: Scotland’s famous open mic for poetry
NEW MEMBER Meet-n-Greet, August 6th @ 7pm Eastern:
Our second meet and greet for new members will be August 6th @ 7pm EASTERN. Submit a sample to Duosuma to be sent the Zoom link. NO CHARGE! This is a 100% FREE opportunity.
NEW MEMBER Meet-n-Greet, August 13th @ 7pm Eastern:
Our FINAL meet and greet for new members will be August 13th @ 7pm EASTERN. Submit a sample to Duosuma to be sent the Zoom link. NO CHARGE! This is a 100% FREE opportunity.
OLD SCRATCH PRESS 