Meet the Press

Established in 1976, Wake Forest University Press specializes in Irish poetry.

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Jeff Holdridge, who received his doctorate at University College Dublin, is the Press's Director and Editor. He is also Associate Professor of English at Wake Forest University, specializing in Irish literature.

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The Press is managed by Assistant Director Candide Jones, who has been with WFUP since 1990.

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The Press began when Dillon Johnston, Irish scholar and professor of English, realized how few titles of contemporary Irish poetry were consistently available in this country. Supported by the administration at Wake Forest, he established the Press to bring the best of contemporary Irish poetry to North American readers. Dillon Johnston retired from Wake Forest in 2003, but remains a valued advising editor. He teaches at Washington University.
 

 

    
interns

 

We're ably assisted this year by Press interns Shannon MacCaulay, Javad Banikazemi, Emily Siglar, and Taylor Ryan (from left to right)

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And by Bibi.
 

 

    

Although small among university presses in the United States, we are the major publisher of Irish poetry in North America. Noted scholar Helen Vendler of Harvard University commented: "Through the Wake Forest University Press, Ireland comes to America."

We pride ourselves on the quality of our publications and are committed to keeping our titles in print.

We frequently act as booking agent for our authors, and we arrange reading tours for them throughout North America. Should you be interested in a WFU Press poet visiting your institution or city, please contact us.

For over a decade, WFUP also published bilingual editions of contemporary French poetry, with the late French scholar Germaine Brée as French Series Editor. Although these French titles are in print and available, further publications of the series have been discontinued.

At Wake Forest University Press, we give customers the special attention that only a small, independent publisher can provide. We have no sales reps out "in the field," we have no vast acres of anonymous titles. We do have a friendly staff who are very familiar with our books and authors, and who are eager to help you with your order — whether you're a wholesaler, a retailer, or an individual.

Jefferson Holdridge, Director
Dillon Johnston, Founder and Advising Editor
Candide Jones, Assistant Director