Fresh Off The Press

The indefatigable Mary Jane Ryals—author, former Florida State University professor, and the first Big Bend Poet Laureate—has taken the helm at Apalachee Press, sister to the internationally recognized literary magazine Apalachee Review. Along with fellow poet and longtime collaborator Carol Lynne Knight, Ryals seeks to publish the area’s first-rate poets, essayists, and fiction writers. 

“I am always looking for the best,” she says. 

Ryals embarked on this labor of love not just from her passion for literature but also because of her love of Tallahassee and the Big Bend region. 

She notes that “all these books have a sensibility particular to this region” and that because of our universities, Tallahassee boasts a plethora of people who have something significant to say. 

Photo by Lindsey Masterson

Knight, an artist and book designer, and Ryals began the endeavor to reinvigorate the press in the fall of 2024 in collaboration with former Florida A&M University professor Melanie Rawls’ poignant After, Ever After. The book, gorgeously illustrated by Knight, is a fable about grief for readers of all ages. 

In short order, the press published Marda Messick’s poetry chapbook Feral Princess and Sharon Kant-Rauch’s mystery novel, One Precious Life. Since that first year, the press has published (or plans to publish) Fragments: Then & Now from longtime Tallahassee chronicler Mary Ann Lindley, a collection of essays by Tallahassee Democrat writer Ron Hartung, and poetry collections by Anne Meisenzahl, Zachary Scott, and Caroline Weeks. 

“One thing that’s nice about a small press is the freedom to do what you want,” Ryals says. “For instance, when I read Anne’s stunning poetry collection, Enter Here,” also published by Apalachee Press, “I noticed one section didn’t quite fit with the book. As I read this section, I was crying and goose bumping. Instead of tossing it aside, we decided to publish that section as a separate chapbook.” 

“I can’t think of a more receptive, encouraging, supportive, and good-natured team to work with,” Meisenzahl says. “Mary Jane makes sure everyone gets reviews as well as readings around town, and Lynne collaborates closely on every design decision.” 

Photo by Lindsey Masterson

While Ryals handles the editorial, financial, and marketing responsibilities, Knight deals with the aesthetic decisions, including cover design and formatting.

“I want the author to open the box of their books and do a dance of joy when they see them,” Knight said.

While Apalachee Press has published several debut authors, this fall, Ryals and Knight plan to bring out a collection of nature writings by acclaimed author and naturalist Susan Cerulean, entitled If This Were a Map. 

“Apalachee Press is a small but mighty local literary press run by a handful of community-minded artists and writers. It’s an honor to be among them and to be part of a publishing model where mutual support is primary,” Cerulean says.