Why publish with an independent press?

There are many paths to publication, so why choose an independent press? What are the benefits and drawbacks? What is the scope of your reach and will your book be read? Authors Varun Gauri and Len Kruger join Washington Writers Publishing House Co-Presidents Caroline Bock and Jona Colson to discuss the value of independent publishing from both sides of the process. Moderated by Bethanne Patrick. Bring all your burning questions about independent publishing for a robust discussion!

FREE & open to the public! RSVP below.

Caroline Bock’s short story collection, Carry Her Home, received the 2018 WWPH Fiction Prize. She is the author of two critically acclaimed young adult novels, LIE and Before My Eyes, from St. Martin’s Press. In addition to her role as co-president, she is the prose editor at WWPH Writes, our bi-weekly literary journal, and the co-editor of our 2021 anthology This Is What America Looks Like Fiction and Poetry from D.C. Maryland, and Virginia. Her new novel, THE OTHER BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE.(Regal House Publishing) will be published on June 2, 2026. carolinebockofficialauthorsite.wordpress.com

Jona Colson’s poetry collection, Said Through Glass, won the 2018 Jean Feldman Poetry Prize from WWPH. He teaches English at Montgomery College. Notably, in addition to his role as co-president, he is the poetry editor of WWPH Writes, our bi-weekly literary journal, and the co-editor of This Is What America Looks Like: Poetry and Fiction from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. He is also the translator for Aguas/Waters by Miguel Avero, our first work in translation, published in May 2024.

Varun Gauri’s short fiction was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and recognized in Best American Nonrequired Reading. His novel, For the Blessings of Jupiter and Venus, is a love story and comedy of manners about a young couple who, despite having dated, choose arranged marriage. He teaches courses on behavioral economics and global poverty at Princeton University and lives with his family in Bethesda, Maryland.

Len Kruger lives in Washington, D.C. His novel, Bad Questions, was the winner of the 2023 Washington Writers’ Publishing House Fiction Award. His short fiction has appeared in Zoetrope-All Story, The Barcelona Review, The Potomac Review, Gargoyle, Splonk, and the anthology, This is What America Looks Like: Fiction and Poetry from DC, Maryland, and Virginia. He is a graduate of the MFA Program at the University of Maryland.

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