Our Story

What Books Press publishes genre-bending, language-driven work that challenges literary expectations. Our list includes bilingual poetry, eco-fabulist fiction, hybrid narrative, and innovative work across genres. We are drawn to books that thrill us with a bending of literary expectations, a striking use of language, a poignant portrayal of the human condition—or, ideally, all three.

Founded in 2009 by Chuck Rosenthal and Gail Wronsky as an imprint of the Glass Table Collective, What Books Press has published more than 75 books by emerging and established writers. In 2019, we launched a second imprint,
Giant Claw Press.

Our books have garnered national recognition, including selection for Lit Hub’s 100 Notable Small Press Books for 2025 and an Honorable Mention for the Juan Felipe Herrera Poetry Award at the 2025 International Latino Book Awards.

All What Books Press and Giant Claw Press titles feature cover art by Gronk Nicandro.

Who We Are

​Executive Director
​   & Editor-in-Chief
Katharine Haake

Managing Editor
Gail Wronsky

Artist
Gronk

Book Design
Ash Good

Associate Editors
Kevin Cantwell
Mona Houghton
Rod Val Moore

Poetry Board
Elena Karina Byrne
Rebbecca Brown
Kevin Cantwell
Karen Kevorkian
Gail Wronsky, Coordinator

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Fiction Board
Katharine Haake, Coordinator
Mona Houghton
Rod Val Moore
Sean Pessin
Chuck Rosenthal

Giant Claw Press Board
Chuck Rosenthal
Gail Wronsky

Charter Members of the
​Glass Table Collective
Molly Bendall
Kevin Cantwell 
AW DeAnnuntis
Ramon Garcia
Ash Good
Katharine Haake
Karen Kevorkian
Antonia Leiva
Gronk Nicandro
Alicia Portnoy

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