A Historic House Hosts a Publishing Powerhouse
Along the storied Riverside Drive, just west of Hancher Auditorium, stands a cream and tan limestone house embodying the Colonial Revival style. Known as the Kuhl House, this structure dates back to around 1840 and is one of Iowa City’s oldest surviving buildings. It represents the evolution from a frontier town to a bustling cultural hub. Today, it houses the University of Iowa Press, an institution that has grown since 1969 from a modest book publisher to a globally acclaimed publishing house.
Despite its quiet presence, the UI Press is gaining increased recognition. A playful sign in their office once read, “UI Press. We’re not a dry cleaner. We’re not the university newspaper.” This year, however, their visibility has expanded significantly, supported by a series of notable book awards in 2025.
“The recognition they’re getting nationally and internationally is a testament to the incredible work the folks at UI Press do in support of advancing literature and scholarly work in a truly impressive way,” states Daniel Khalastchi, executive director of the UI’s new Office of Writing and Communication.
UI Press, renowned for publishing works by field experts, shone brightly last year in the realm of fiction. Three titles were distinguished on the PEN America Awards longlist:
Jessica Laser’s poetry collection, The Goner School, was longlisted for the Griffin Poetry Prize, an award co-founded by the acclaimed author Margaret Atwood.
Meanwhile, Darrell Kinsey’s Natch secured the prestigious Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, triumphing over titles from major commercial publishers, including three of the Big Five: Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette Book Group.
Holding Their Own Against Publishing Giants
The Big Five publishing houses release approximately 60,000 books annually, wielding substantial distribution and marketing capabilities. In contrast, UI Press publishes about 30 books each year, with a dedicated staff of seven. “I like to think of us as more of an artisan press. It’s not a lot of books, so we are very selective,” remarks Jim McCoy, director of UI Press. “It allows us to put our full effort into each book.”
UI Press aligns its publishing projects with the university’s strengths, producing scholarly and creative works by UI and regional authors. However, they also attract talent from a global pool, including authors from Denmark, Hong Kong, and Australia, and collaborate with a range of institutions from Ivy League universities to small liberal arts colleges.
McCoy notes, “The awards put us on more radars — particularly for New York agents and other agencies that represent fiction writers. When I approach an author, I can show them what we bring to the table. The proof is in the pudding.”
Nurturing Talent and Returning Authors
University presses often launch new authors’ careers, like Kinsey, or promote writers from within their academic community. However, UI Press is increasingly drawing established authors from large commercial houses. Notable among them are UI alum Lucas Mann, author of Attachments: Essays on Fatherhood and Other Performances; Holly Goddard Jones, who published her acclaimed Antipodes: Stories with the press; bestselling author Tom Piazza; and Ted Geltner, author of Flagrant, Self-Destructive Gestures: A Biography of Denis Johnson.
“Once authors work with us, they really understand that we know what we’re doing,” McCoy states. “They want the more personalized experience we provide.”
Allison Means, associate director and marketing director, concurs, describing their editorial and production process as highly collaborative from start to finish. Means says, “We ask authors what their expectations are and which awards matter most to them. Then we research, find the right fit, and submit.”
Cultivating the Next Generation of Publishers
Means herself is a product of UI Press, having begun her journey there as an intern. During her time as a UI student, she sought career advice from the Pomerantz Career Center and was encouraged to explore publishing. Her internship at UI Press launched her career, and today she manages the very program that gave her a start.
“I love being able to pay that forward,” she says. “Because of our staff size, students get real‑world experience.” Interns help with award research, manuscript reviews, and more, ensuring they leave well-prepared for advanced roles in the publishing industry.
McCoy adds, “I get calls from other press directors all the time. People know that we produce good interns — good employees.”
Enhancing Iowa’s Literary Reputation
The presence of UI Press contributes significantly to Iowa’s identity as the “Writing University.” Khalastchi emphasizes the importance of an onsite publisher with global reach, stating, “At Iowa, we believe in the power of words. UI Press is essential to how we show the world our commitment to writing and communication, and we are grateful for the books they continue to publish.”
The accomplishments of UI Press in 2025 highlight that even a small university press can compete with the industry’s largest players and succeed, underscoring Iowa as a premier destination for literary excellence.
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