AJBs 50: celebrating
books that matter
by poets who inspire us
We’re looking forward to the next 50 years of Alice James Books—collaborating with writers of excellence whose books exemplify the possibility poetry offers us–to ignite our imaginations and grow our understanding of how far we’ve come, where we’ve been, and where we’re going TOGETHER.
AJBs 50th: Founding Values Are Future Values
Poetry: An Essential Part of our Everyday Lives
What does 50 mean & what’s on the horizon? Read reflections on our big birthday from AJB Executive Director, Carey Salerno
In the 70’s, who would have imagined a little cooperative press, initially sustained solely by the commitment and hard work of its own writers, would flourish as it has, growing into an essential pillar that sustains American literary arts and culture?
Seven visionary poets founded AJB in 1973 to make book publication a reality for women writers.
50 years later, the press continues to expand and grow from its formative roots. Our work today aligns with our founders’ core values of access, excellence, inclusivity, and collaboration and serves an even greater representation of writers.
In our 50th year, let’s truly recognize how AJB represents a big win for poetry, literature, and our artistic community. Will folks finally stop asking, “Is poetry dead?” Probably not, but in AJB’s vitality and momentum, we can clearly see how poetry is very much influential, vibrant, abundant, and an essential part of our everyday lives.
Happy 50th!
What does AJB Mean to You?
Kaveh & Jean are feelin’ it. How has AJB brought you joy? Send us a note using the form below and share your story with us!
Alices Kaveh Akbar & Jean Valentine embrace and smile with abundant joy with friend-poets David Tomas Martinez, Patricia Smith, and Angel Nafis at Akbar’s 2017 Book Launch in NYC.
Visit the Archive
A retrospective of Alice James Books’ key defining moments.
Explore this curated collection of key pieces of AJB history, and visit (or revisit!) the iconic events, people, and books that have helped to shape our culture and values.
Alice James Bringing People Together Through Poems,
a visual account from 2010 - Present
"Alice James Books has, over the decades, created a remarkable voice from a plurality of voices in the wilderness of American poetry. That their authors have often gone on to receive the highest literary accolades is not as important as the fact that the press was able to recognize, champion, and make a home for these poets in the first place. AJB is crucial to American letters." –Lisa Lucas
"...having [AJB] pop up on your [IG] feed is a great way to see how other writers are currently talking about poetry." –Gretchen Lida for BookRiot
"...a dream press for many, me included."
–Vandanna Khanna
“Alice James Books has been one of the major forces in American poetry for the past four decades. . . . This is an essential book for readers who want to understand and enjoy contemporary American poetry.” –Publishers Weekly
"Alice James Books is one of the pure sources of American poetry, an independent publisher of nothing but poetry, based in Maine, that has started the careers of too many poets to name." –NPR
"If you're paying attention, @AliceJamesBooks is KILLIN the acquisitions game. Love seeing smart editors making boss moves. They have one of my fav lists in poetry publishing"
–Danez Smith, author of HOMIE (Graywolf Press, 2020)
“I never thought anybody would be interested in reading my stories. [The] Alice James board changed my life, not only by offering my poems a home but by introducing me to an entirely different way of thinking about literature and community.”
–Adrian Matejka
Cheers to 50 Years
AJB’s STORY begins in 1973 in Boston’s cobblestoned Beacon Hill where we grew from a 7-person, local cooperative to a nationally-renowned independent publishing house that reaches thousands of readers annually and partners with remarkable writers across the country whose singular voices represent and celebrate the multitude of ourselves and our rich and vibrant communities. Together with our great poetry family, we’re celebrating what’s defined us over the years with our sights on everything that’s yet to come. Happy Birthday, AJB!