What Kinds of Books Does West Virginia University Press Publish?
Updated
West Virginia University Press publishes scholarly and general-interest books with a strong regional focus on Appalachia, alongside literary fiction and nonfiction. Its catalog, as shown on wvupress.com, includes essay collections on Appalachian stories, traditions, and sustainability; short story collections; novels; and books on technology and regional change. If you are looking for academically grounded titles about Appalachia or literary works from emerging and established writers, this press is a relevant place to browse. If you need mainstream commercial genres or mass-market titles, its list is narrower.
Main subject areas visible in the catalog
Appalachian studies and regional sustainability
The press's regional identity is clear from featured titles. Wide Branches, Deep Roots, edited by Jessica M. Jones and Amanda E. Hayes, is described as a collection of more than thirty pieces exploring the connections between Appalachia's stories, traditions, and modern events and the pathway to regional sustainability. This indicates that the press publishes edited collections that combine cultural commentary, regional history, and sustainability topics.
Literary fiction and short stories
The catalog includes literary works such as Let All Our Ghosts Depart, a debut short story collection by Meghana Mysore, and What Kind of Mother. These titles suggest the press publishes contemporary fiction and short fiction, including first collections by newer authors.
Technology, change, and public affairs
Featured titles like Elsewhere and The New Decentralists point to books on technology, decentralization, and social or regional change. The site also highlights WVU alumnus Rouzbeh Yassini, a cable modem pioneer, whose story of bringing high-speed internet to American homes is presented as a feature—showing that the press engages with technology history and innovation narratives connected to the university and region.
What this means for readers and authors
| If you are... | The catalog suggests... |
|---|---|
| A reader interested in Appalachia | Look for edited collections and regional studies on culture, tradition, and sustainability |
| A reader of literary fiction | Expect short story collections and novels, including debut works |
| A reader interested in technology and society | Find titles on decentralization and technology history with regional connections |
| An author | The list favors regionally rooted scholarship and literary work rather than broad commercial genres |
How to decide whether to browse further
Start with the featured titles on the homepage to gauge fit. If Wide Branches, Deep Roots or Let All Our Ghosts Depart match your interests, the press likely has more in that vein. If you need a specific subject, check the book pages for descriptions and author details rather than relying on the homepage alone. The site does not display pricing or access terms on the pages reviewed, so confirm purchase or access details on individual book pages before assuming availability.