What Is Cloudbank Books?

Updated

Cloudbank Books is a small press and literary journal focused on contemporary writing, particularly poetry and flash fiction. Its website, cloudbankbooks.com, serves three main purposes: showcasing published books, offering the current issue of its journal (Cloudbank), and providing submission and contest information for writers. If you're a reader looking for contemporary poetry, or a writer seeking publication opportunities, the site is aimed at you.

What the Site Publishes

The catalog centers on poetry collections and the Cloudbank journal itself. From the homepage, several titles are visible:

Title Author Notes
Early & Late Christopher Buckley Poetry collection, currently available
As Creatures Suzanne Matson Editor's Choice; available early November, with preorder
Dear Dusk Stephen Knauth Poetry collection
The Silent Conversation Bruce Bond Published by Cloudbank Books; Editor's Choice for the Vern Rutsala Book Prize
Cloudbank 19 — Journal issue; includes work by Bill Rector
Cloudbank 20 — Journal issue; includes poems and flash fiction by Rolly Kent, Gary Soto, Melanie, and others

The journal issues mix poetry and flash fiction, so the editorial scope is broader than poetry alone.

The Vern Rutsala Book Prize

The site's most concrete opportunity for writers is the Vern Rutsala Book Prize contest. According to the homepage:

  • Winner receives: publication, $1,000, and 50 books.
  • Editor's Choice receives: publication, $500, and 50 books.

The homepage directs visitors to a details page for full guidelines. If you're considering submitting, check that page for deadlines, manuscript requirements, and entry fees, since the homepage excerpt does not cover them.

Who This Site Is For

  • Readers of contemporary poetry and flash fiction who want to browse a small press catalog or order current titles.
  • Writers interested in submitting to the journal or entering the book prize contest.
  • Anyone tracking small-press publishing who wants to see what a journal-plus-press operation releases.

Practical Notes

  • As Creatures by Suzanne Matson was listed as available in early November with preorder open, so availability timing on the site can be seasonal.
  • The homepage excerpt does not state pricing, shipping, or whether submissions require a fee. Treat those as unknowns until you check the linked detail pages.
  • If your goal is submission, start with the Vern Rutsala Book Prize details page rather than the general catalog.