A note on author submissions

Johnsons Literary Depot is a curated independent bookstore. We carefully select every title on our shelves to reflect our commitment to quality storytelling, editorial integrity, and the craft of publishing.

We do not carry self-published titles.

The rise of AI-generated books and predatory vanity publishing has made it increasingly difficult for readers to trust self-published work — and we believe authors deserve better than that system, too. Working with a publisher means your manuscript has been read, shaped, and championed by professionals who believe in it.

If you're an author seeking placement in our store, your book must be published through a recognized publishing house.

Not yet published?

We encourage you to pursue traditional publishing. Here are excellent regional small presses actively accepting manuscript submissions:

• Iris Press — Oak Ridge, TN

  • irisbooks.com

  • Appalachian poetry and prose

• University of Tennessee Press — Knoxville, TN

  • utpress.org

  • Appalachian studies, history, Southern culture

• Mercer University Press — Macon, GA

  • mercer.edu/mupress

  • Southern literature, history, religion

• NewSouth Books — Montgomery, AL

  • newsouthbooks.com

  • Southern fiction, nonfiction, history

• Madville Publishing — Lake Dallas, TX

  • madvillepublishing.com

    • Literary fiction and poetry, strong Appalachian list

• Bottom Dog Press — Huron, OH

  • smithdocs.net

  • Working-class Appalachian literature

• Hub City Press — Spartanburg, SC

  • hubcity.org

  • Southern literary fiction and nonfiction

• Finishing Line Press — Georgetown, KY

  • finishinglinepress.com

  • Poetry chapbooks and collections

Submission guidelines

We currently accept local author solicitations from publishers.

Publisher submissions

We welcome submissions from established publishers representing authors. Please have your publisher contact us directly with title details, ISBN, pricing, and ordering information.

We do not accept unsolicited email submissions or self-published works at this time.

Our review process

All submissions are reviewed internally. Selection is based on:

• Quality of writing and presentation

• Professional editing and design

• Regional relevance or community interest

• Alignment with our customer base

• Shelf space availability

Submission does not guarantee placement. Because we receive multiple requests, we are not able to provide detailed feedback on titles not selected.

If your book is chosen, we will contact your publisher to discuss next steps, including ordering terms and potential event opportunities.