Red Hen Press


Red Hen Press is an American non-profit press specializing in the publication of poetry, literary fiction, and nonfiction. Founded in 1994, Red Hen is now located in Pasadena, California.
The company has two imprints: Arktoi Books and Boreal Books.

History

Red Hen Press was founded by Mark E. Cull and Kate Gale in 1994.
The press was reorganized as a non-profit 501, getting its federal exemption in 2004. Red Hen Press established a Writing in the Schools program in 2003, which has received funding from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Kinder Morgan Foundation, the City of Pasadena Cultural Affairs, Sony Pictures Entertainment, the Rose Hills Foundation, the Dwight Stuart Youth Fund, the Macy's Foundation, and the Ahmanson Foundation. Its reading series at the Ruskin Art Club, Boston Court Performing Arts Center, Annenberg Beach House, and the Geffen Playhouse has hosted such writers as Anne Carson, B.H. Fairchild, Billy Collins, Carolyn See, C.D. Wright, Chris Abani, Li-Young Lee, Nikky Finney, T.C. Boyle, Terrance Hayes, and Yusef Komunyakaa.

Imprints

The company has two imprints. Arktoi Books was established in 2006 by Eloise Klein Healy and publishes literary fiction and poetry by lesbian writers. It publishes at least one book every year, by new and established authors.
Boreal Books was established in 2008 and focuses on literature and fine art from Alaska. It is edited by Peggy Shumaker, State Laureate Writer of Alaska.

Advisory board

The advisory board for Red Hen Press contains many notable names: Sherman Alexie, Janet Fitch, Judy Grahn, Michael S. Harper, Garrett Hongo, Lawson Fusao Inada, X. J. Kennedy, Galway Kinnell, Yusef Komunyakaa, Li-Young Lee, Robert Peters, Ishmael Reed, Amy Tan, Helena María Viramontes, Karen Tei Yamashita.