peer into the mysterious unknown

New Release

Surviving Peter Pan by Marissa Forbes


Surviving Peter Pan by Colorado poet Marissa Forbes is a collection of 50 poems exploring the lore of the family favorite through the glistening lens of feminism and motherhood.

Coming Soon

Anthology 5: Do Not Tap On The Glass


In a world where identities are fluid and multifaceted, Do Not Tap On The Glass fearlessly embraces the complexity of our human experience. It invites us to explore the myriad facets of self, to celebrate our shared vulnerabilities, and to find solace in the knowledge that we are not alone in our journeys of self-discovery. - Rebecca Rijsdijk, Sunday Mornings At The River

NEW!

Find Our Books

Meet The Team

SARAH HERRIN | OWNER / Editor / SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING / Graphic Designer

IG: @_sarahherrin


Sarah (they/them) is a queer poet based in Colorado.

Herrin has published several poetry chapbooks including One Thousand Good Answers (Sunday Mornings At The River) & The Oceanography of Her (Papeachu Press) and individual poems with Pile Press, Ouch! Collective, Querencia, blood moon POETRY, East French Press, and more.


Their background is in storytelling and creative writing (BFA/SCAD). Herrin continues education through workshops at Hugo House, Lighthouse Writers, The Poetry Lab, Community Building Art Works.

AJ WOJTALIK | Newsletter / Anthology Editor

IG: ajwojtalik.poetry


AJ (she/her) is a writer from Colorado who finds peace while exploring the sacred in the ordinary. She balances her craft with raising a remarkable teen wolf and a pack of animals, and rambling around in nature as much as possible — all of which shows up in her writing (and her zoom calls).


She has worked as an editor and consultant for a couple of small presses and loves to connect art and community, so after a series of biscuit brunches she joined the BTV team in Feb 2022.

TYLER HURULA | IN-PERSON EVENTS / PRIDE ANTHOLOGY EDITOR IG: @theprettypinkpoet


Tyler (she/her) is a queer and polyamorous poet born and raised in Denver, Colorado. She is the author of poetry chapbook: Love Me Louder.


When not writing, she is likely befriending the neighborhood cats or cross-stitching. She values connection, authenticity, and vulnerability, and tries to encompass these values in her writing and everyday life.

KRIS KAILA | VIRTUAL EVENTS & WORKSHOPS / CHAPBOOK EDITOR

IG: @krisesque_life / @my_novelesque_life


Kris (she/her) is a queer Punjabi/Canadian poet & writer and book reviewer & blogger. She can be found taking workshops and occasionally leading them, reading and watching the same shows and movies over and over again.


After surviving several traumas, she finds writing about her mental health helps in the healing and self-compassion journey.


Kris is also the Educational Coordinator with The Poetry Lab.

MR BITEY | MASCOT / MANAGER


Mr Bitey (aka Hero) met Mx Herrin through a pet finder website - yes, like online dating. His profile claimed he was playful, outgoing, cuddly, and liked 'run.' (He also likes to bite as was later discovered.)


Mr Bitey is frightened of most sudden noises and gets a puffy tail at least twice a day. He enjoys chewing on light switches, toilet handles, Christmas cactus, and that springy door stopper thing.


Mr Bitey lives in Colorado with Mx Herrin.

SALEM PAIGE | WEBSITE DESIGN & UPDATES (Former Member)

IG: @corpseofapoet


Salem Paige (they/them) is a queer Canadian poet, artist, and designer. They spend their time watching copious amounts of reality TV, reading sci-fi anthologies, and napping the afternoon away.


Salem writes about exploring creative and queer identity, using visceral and sublime raw imagery.

Salem is also a web designer for Common House literary magazine and flo. literary magazine.

JOSIAH CALLAWAY | CO-FOUNDER / ARTIST (Former Member)

IG: @josiahcallaway


Mr Callaway (he/him) is the legendary designer of the Mr Bitey Logo. He also collaborated with Mx Herrin on the artwork for the illustrated poetry collection Anti/Muse and was the mastermind behind the Kickstarter Project that began the Press in March 2021. He lives and makes art in NYC.

Books

2023 Chapbook Contest Winners!

Maybe She's Born With It, Maybe It's Trauma by Cait Thomson (May 2023)


Cait Thomson writes for those of us who are living with trauma in her relatable and witty voice. Sometimes it's good to know that things might get worse before they get better, that living with trauma is hard, and it's okay to not be okay. As Thomson writes, 'Times are hard, but poetry works harder.' Spend some time with Thomson and her cats, in this diary-like style, and know that you're not alone.

Surviving Peter Pan by Marissa Forbes (June 2023)


Surviving Peter Pan by Colorado poet Marissa Forbes is a collection of 50 poems exploring the lore of the family favorite through the glistening lens of feminism and motherhood.

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We Are Creatures Of What Has Happened by Ashley Mezzano (2023)


Coming this August!

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The Red Door’s Open Maw by Jess Cato (2023)


Coming this September!

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TRANSabdominal Retrieval by Teddy G Goetz (2023)


Coming this July!

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As Long As This Heart Beats by Kyrsta Morehouse (2023)


Coming this October!

Other Chapbooks

Question Mark Illustration

Neurotica for the Modern Doomscroller by Eddie Brophy (Nov 2023)


Coming this November!

Heretic: A Story of Spiritual Liberation by Kristy Webster (Sept 2022)


Should you want to leave, / you must first break / the soft, terrible neck / of your own fear.


Queer Latina author Kristy Webster's first chapbook, Heretic in an incendiary collection of poems following the path of liberating oneself from a religious cult. Webster writes to reclaim her power, to uncover the grave of herself and climb into the moonlight, transformed into something more than human.

Anti/Muse by Sarah Herrin (Feb 22) New Edition Coming 2024!


Sarah Herrin's poetry book features artwork by Josiah Callaway. These 30 poems will take you on a journey from the depths of heartbreak and betrayal to the reclaiming of self and purpose.


Previous editions: Kickstarter (2022); Paperback (2022)

Anthologies

WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE: Queer & Trans Voices (FEB 2023)


An anthology of poetry & art featuring queer & trans voices, expressing grief, rage, resilience, and love for the community in response to the ClubQ shooting in Colorado Springs.


Featuring poetry and artwork from 50 creators around the world.


Proceeds to Victims First: Club Q Victims Fund

HOW TO HEAL A BLOODLINE (nov 2022)


In How to Heal a Bloodline, we discover the voices of cycle breakers boldly naming their wounds and facing their demons. - Kristy Webster, Heretic: a spiritual liberation in poems


Featuring poetry and artwork from 50 creators around the world. The theme centers around hope and healing during the Covid pandemic years.


10% profits to Mind Out: LGBTIQ+ Health Australia

TEA WITH MY MONSTER (JUNE 2022) (Bookshop)


Tea With My Monster contains poetry, art, and prose. It is a whopping 162 pages, featuring 64 poets & artists from across the globe. This collection speaks on themes of mental health awareness including struggling, coping, and healing. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​By sharing our stories, we learn that we are never alone.


10% profits to OutRight International

THERE IS A MONSTER INSIDE THAT I AM LEARNING TO LOVE (NOV 2021)


Our first anthology weighs in at 80 pages and features 35 poets & artists from around the world. It focuses on mental health through the lens of monsters.


10% profits to Mental Health America

Notebooks & Coloring Books

PUB DATE SEPT 2022


ANTI/MUSE NOTEBOOKS: MINT / PEACH

160pg lined paperback


Quality flexible lined notebook featuring original art (front and back) from Anti/Muse by Josiah Callaway, the Mr Bitey logo creator.

PUB DATE SEPT 2022


ANTI/MUSE NOTEBOOKS: LAVENDER / BLUE

80pg lined paperback


Quality flexible lined notebook featuring original art (front and back) from Anti/Muse by Josiah Callaway, the Mr Bitey logo creator.

PUB DATE SEPT 2022


ANTI/MUSE COLORING BOOK

Digital Download


This digital coloring book features 10 illustrations from our poetry chapbook Anti/Muse by Josiah Callaway. Each artwork prints at 11x8.5 (landscape) and has space for your own poem, journaling, or sketching. Instant PDF file download so you can print and color right away.

Merch!

MR BITEY ENAMEL PIN

DISCOUNTED MISPRINTS

Book Bundles

STICKERS

and MORE in our etsy shop:

etsy.com/shop/btvpress.

Submit Your Work

Pride Anthology Submissions CLOSED.

Chapbook Submissions closed until 2024.

We're getting ready for PRIDE MONTH! Send us your poems celebrating queer joy, gender euphoria, and chosen family.


  • FEE WAIVED.
  • All work remains your own.
  • Simultaneous submissions are okay, but please note it.
  • No previously published work (unless it has been significantly reworked) - we want your shiny new stuff.
  • You may submit 3-5 poems and/or artwork related to mental health and our current theme.
  • No more than 3 pages for a single poem.
  • Please do not submit only ONE poem or piece of art - we want a fair representation of your work.
  • Please DO NOT include your name anywhere on your work. We will be reading blind to curb any bias.


NEW: If we have published your work twice in the past, please

leave space for others to share their voices. Please consider

submitting your work as a chapbook instead!


READY TO SUBMIT? Use this form.

DONATION: We use a Pay What You Can scale. Your payment helps support the press and makes a difference

in mental health awareness. Communities such as LGBTQ & BIPOC that have been historically marginalized are not required to pay.





Our staff works on a volunteer basis, so we cannot offer cash payment.

Contributors receive a free digital copy and the opportunity to purchase one print copy at a discounted price.

In addition, 10% of all anthology sales are donated to a featured mental health non-profit.

Blue Rectangle Button Illustration

PayPal

Survivors Anthology

Survivors of Sexual Assault Anthology Submissions Open NOW through Dec '23.

"Hey y’all - it’s Sarah, owner and editor of Beyond The Veil Press. Some of you may know that I am a survivor of sexual assault, and it’s no exaggeration when I say that YOU and this Press have been my lifeline over the past 2 years. Poetry and art can be a lifeline too."


After reading something in the news like “why didn’t you ask for help” and “if you live with a man, why are you running around getting rxped?’ and were reminded that we need more survivor stories out in the world. We need more awareness, more anger, more action. We want Justice.


The world needs your story.


We’re looking for poetry and art expressing your experience of coping, healing, suffering, grieving, and surviving.

Feel free to submit anonymously, under a pen name, or your real name — in whatever way you feel safe. We will be accepting submissions on a rolling basis for a pub date of Spring 2024. Your editors for this anthology will be Kris Kaila and Sarah Herrin. DM us on Instagram if you have any questions! Thank you in advance for sharing in your vulnerability and courage with us. You are not alone.


  • FEE WAIVED.
  • DO put your name in the file name.
  • No more than 3 pages for a single poem.
  • We prefer new, but previously published work is allowed.
  • You may submit 3-5 poems and/or artwork related to mental health and our current theme.
  • DO NOT submit only ONE poem or piece of art - we want a fair representation of your work.
  • Simultaneous submissions are okay, but please note it and let us know if it is selected somewhere else.
  • DO NOT include potentially triggering material (such as graphic details of violence, descriptions of suicide, etc.). If you’re not sure if something is okay, use a trigger warning.
  • Submitting under a pen name, real name, or anonymously is allowed.


READY TO SUBMIT? Use this form.


Please Note: Our staff works on a volunteer basis, so we cannot offer cash payment.

Contributors receive a free digital copy and the opportunity to purchase one print copy at a discounted price.

In addition, 10% of all anthology sales are donated to a featured mental health non-profit.

Events & Workshops

RSVP through Eventbrite! To schedule an event, please reach out to Kris for Virtual and Tyler for In-Person.

Mental Health Resources

Please keep in mind that we are artists, not medical professionals. These are resources that we have used personally or were recommended to us. They may not be for everyone.


DIAL 988 IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS


WEBSITES


GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH


Wanna Talk About It - Sexual Violence & Relationship Abuse; Mental Health & Well-Being; Self-Harm & Suicide

Anxiety & Depression Society of America

Mental Health Is Health – Immediate articles and help.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Active Minds – Mental health awareness and education.

Mental Health Colorado - an advocacy organization.


LGBTQ SPECIALISTS


Queer*Asterisk – Queer-informed counseling services, educational trainings, and community programming.

OutBoulder - supporting LGBTQ+ communities in Boulder & beyond.

The Trevor Project – Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for youth.


SUBSTANCE ABUSE


AddictionResource.net (LGBT-Friendly)

Co-Occurring Disorders and Substance Abuse

The Recovery Village

Depression And Alcohol


SEXUAL VIOLENCE


Helping Survivors of Sexual Assault and Abuse

RAINN - The nation's largest anti-sexual violence org.

Rape Hurts Foundation - Excellent Help, I Can’t Do This page worth reading.


BOOKS


The Body Keeps The Score – Bessel van der Kolk

Healing Trauma – Peter Levine

Journey From Abandonment to Healing – Susan Anderson

Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma, and Consensual Nonmonogamy – Jessica Fern


PODCASTS


Where Is My Mind? – Niall Breslin

The Savvy Psychologist: Quick & Dirty Tips – Jade Wu

The Hilarious World of Depression – John Moe

The Happiness Lab – Dr. Laurie Santos

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2021-2023 Beyond the Veil Press