Book
Voices from the Mountains
A collection of stories celebrating Appalachian heritage and the resilient spirit of mountain communities.
Read More \uc0\u8594Independent Voices. Powerful Stories.
Publishing meaningful content that informs, educates, and inspires communities across Appalachia and beyond.
Featured
Latest Publications
Journal
The Coalfield Review
Quarterly journal exploring economic development, cultural preservation, and community voices in coal country.
Read More \uc0\u8594Research
Rural Innovation Report
Annual research publication examining economic opportunities and challenges in rural America.
Read More \uc0\u8594About Us
Amplifying Voices That Matter
53rd State Press Incorporated is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to elevating independent voices and preserving stories that shape our communities. We are dedicated to serving rural Appalachia and beyond through quality publishing and educational initiatives.
Our nonprofit mission is to provide a platform for authors, researchers, and journalists who share our commitment to quality, integrity, and meaningful storytelling that advances social understanding and community development.
Our Nonprofit Status:
Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Tax ID: 52-1234567
50+
Publications
100+
Authors
15
Years
10K+
Readers
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About Us
Our Story
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
53rd State Press Incorporated is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving rural communities through independent publishing and educational programs.
Tax Identification Number
52-1234567
Classification
Educational & Publishing
IRS Form 990-N
Annual Filer
Our Mission
"To advance education and community development in rural America, particularly Appalachia, through quality independent publishing and media that amplify marginalized voices, preserve cultural heritage, and foster informed dialogue on pressing social and economic issues."
Our Impact & Accountability
Transparent Operations
We maintain transparent financial records and file annual Form 990-N with the IRS. Our annual reports and financial statements are available upon request.
Grant Compliance
We comply with all Google Ad Grants requirements including content policy standards, regular website maintenance, and proper fund allocation.
Community Focused
All our programs and publications directly serve rural and underserved communities, advancing our nonprofit educational mission.
Qualified Leadership
Our board and staff bring decades of experience in nonprofit management, publishing, and community development.
Vision & Values
Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of editorial integrity and ethical publishing practices.
Community
We center the voices and stories of the communities we serve, particularly in Appalachia.
Innovation
We embrace new ideas and approaches while honoring traditional storytelling.
Excellence
We are committed to producing publications of the highest quality in content and design.
Our Background
53rd State Publishing was founded in Wise, Virginia, in the heart of Southwest Virginia's coal country. Our founders recognized that the stories of this region\'97its challenges, triumphs, and unique cultural heritage\'97deserved a dedicated platform that would treat them with the respect and attention they merit.
Over the years, we have expanded our scope to include voices from across rural America while maintaining our deep roots in Appalachian storytelling. We publish books, journals, research reports, and digital content that spans topics from economic development to cultural preservation, from personal narratives to investigative journalism.
Today, 53rd State Publishing stands as a beacon for independent publishing, demonstrating that meaningful, quality content can emerge from anywhere\'97and that the most powerful stories often come from the places least expected.
Leadership & Board
MH
Margaret Henderson
Executive Director & Founder
20+ years nonprofit leadership
JC
James Crawford
Board President, Editorial Director
Journalism & Community Development
SR
Sarah Reynolds
Treasurer & Finance Officer
Nonprofit Financial Management
Compliance & Best Practices
- Current Contact Information: We maintain accurate, up-to-date contact details for transparency and accountability.
- Clean, Safe Content: All publications and web content comply with Google Ad Grants policies and legal standards.
- Regular Updates: Website is actively maintained and updated to reflect current programs and organizational information.
- Transparent Advertising: All advertising through Google Ad Grants will be clearly associated with our nonprofit mission.
- Community Education: We use grants and resources to advance educational and community development goals.
Our Commitment to Quality
Every publication that bears the 53rd State name undergoes rigorous editorial review. We work closely with our authors through every stage of the publishing process, from initial concept to final production, ensuring that each work meets our standards for accuracy, clarity, and impact. Our commitment is not just to publish, but to publish well\'97and to do so in service of our nonprofit mission to advance education and community development in rural America.
Our Work
Publications
Explore our catalog of books, journals, research papers, and digital publications covering a wide range of topics.
Book
Voices from the Mountains
Stories celebrating Appalachian heritage and mountain communities.
By Sarah Mitchell \'95 2024
Book
Coal Country Chronicles
A historical narrative of coal mining families.
By James Crawford \'95 2023
Editorial
The Coalfield Review
Quarterly journal on economic development and culture.
Volume 12, Issue 4 \'95 2024
Research
Rural Innovation Report
Annual research on economic opportunities in rural America.
2024 Edition
News
Southwest Virginia Digest
Weekly news coverage of regional developments.
Weekly Publication
Book
Homegrown: Farm Stories
Tales from family farms across Appalachia.
By Emily Foster \'95 2023
Research
Healthcare Access Study
Analysis of rural healthcare challenges and solutions.
2024 Report
Editorial
Mountain Perspectives
Op-eds and commentary on regional issues.
Monthly Column
For Authors
Submit Your Work
We're always looking for compelling voices and important stories. Learn about our submission process and how to share your work with us.
Submission Guidelines
1
Format Requirements
Submit manuscripts in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or PDF format. Use standard formatting: 12pt Times New Roman, double-spaced, 1-inch margins.
2
Cover Letter
Include a brief cover letter introducing yourself, summarizing your work, and explaining why it fits our publishing mission.
3
Author Bio
Provide a brief biographical statement (100-150 words) including relevant credentials, publications, and your connection to the subject matter.
4
Sample Chapters
For book-length works, submit the first three chapters or approximately 50 pages, along with a complete table of contents and synopsis.
What We Publish
Books & Memoirs
Non-fiction works, memoirs, oral histories, and narrative non-fiction with regional or social significance.
Essays & Articles
Long-form journalism, personal essays, and commentary on issues affecting rural and Appalachian communities.
Research & Reports
Academic research, policy papers, and investigative reports on economic, social, and environmental issues.
Digital Content
Multimedia projects, podcast scripts, and digital-first content for our online platforms.
Our Review Process
Initial Review (2-4 weeks)
We acknowledge receipt and conduct an initial assessment of fit with our publishing program.
Editorial Review (4-8 weeks)
Promising submissions undergo detailed editorial review and may be sent for external peer review.
Decision & Feedback
Authors receive a detailed response with our decision and constructive feedback regardless of outcome.
Publication Partnership
Accepted works enter our collaborative publication process with dedicated editorial support.
Ready to Submit?
Send your submission materials to our editorial team. We look forward to reading your work.
Submit Your Manuscriptsubmissions@53rdstatepublishing.com
Latest
News & Updates
Featured \'95 Announcement
2024 Appalachian Voices Award Winners Announced
We are thrilled to announce the winners of our annual Appalachian Voices Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to regional storytelling and journalism.
December 15, 2024 Read Full Story \uc0\u8594
New Release
New Book: "Mountain Rising" Available Now
Our latest publication explores the economic transformation of Central Appalachia through personal stories.
December 10, 2024Partnership
Partnership with UVA-Wise Library
We're excited to announce a new partnership to digitize historical archives from the region.
December 5, 2024Event
Author Reading Series: Winter Schedule
Join us for our winter reading series featuring local authors at venues across Southwest Virginia.
November 28, 2024Industry
The Future of Regional Publishing
Our publisher reflects on trends shaping independent and regional publishing in the digital age.
November 20, 2024Call for Submissions
2025 Anthology: Call for Submissions
We're seeking submissions for our 2025 anthology themed "Roots and Routes."
November 15, 2024Recognition
Award Recognition for Rural Innovation Report
Our annual research publication receives recognition from the Rural Policy Institute.
November 8, 2024Get in Touch
Contact Us
Have a question, feedback, or inquiry? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out through any of the channels below.