named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
Four Way Books Poetry & Prose Publication Program
Core publishing program that selects, produces, and promotes literary works in poetry and prose by emerging and established writers, with a focus on artistic excellence and diverse voices.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Literary and Cultural Publishing 2 activities
- Publish commemorative and thematic literary anthologiesPublishes special volumes such as a centennial commemoration of the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference and other anthologies that highlight literary traditions and recreate the experience of participation in major literary institutions.
- Publish literary works in poetry and fictionPublishes 18 to 20 full-length collections of poetry and short fiction annually by emerging and established contemporary writers, including works that explore personal, historical, spiritual, political, and everyday themes. The organization has published poetry and fiction for twenty-eight years and maintains a roster of 217 authors.
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Literary Publishing and Support Programs 1 activity
- Administer literary prizes and publication opportunitiesAdministers the Levis Prize in Poetry and the Ellen Bryant Voigt Series in Poetry, each offering a $1000 honorarium and publication of a book-length poetry manuscript in English. Also hosts an annual open reading period for fiction, providing publication opportunities for book-length works.
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Children's Book Distribution Programs 1 activity
- Distribute free books to studentsDistributes free books to students attending author readings at academic institutions including Drew University, Hamilton College, Le Moyne College, New York University, and Sarah Lawrence College.
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Literary Events & Workshops 1 activity
- Organize and sponsor author readings and literary eventsSponsors author readings at venues such as Book Culture on Columbus, Bryant Park, Bowery Poetry Club, and Millbrook Library, and supports nationwide reading events featuring authors.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$521K
Contributions & grants$376K72%
Program service revenue$80K15%
Investment income$3K1%
Other revenue$63K
expenses
Total expenses$449K
Program expenses65%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising24%
Salaries & benefits$243K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$180K
Cash$180K
Investments$0
Liabilities$4K
Net assets$176K
Liquid reserves4.8 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +3.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martha Rhodes | Publisher and Executive Editor | 40 | $74K |
| Jeffery Morehouse | Treasurer | 5 | $16K |
board members · 10
- Calvin Wei — Director
- David Lee — Director
- Howard Levy — President and Director
- KT Herr — Director
- Kimberly Nunes — Director
- Kwame Dawes — Director
- Lupe Mendez — Director and Secretary
- Michael Anna de Armas — Director
- Owen Lewis — Vice-President and Director
- Victor Basta — Director
relationships · 25
Who they work with
- Book Culture on Columbus Partner — Host venue for Four Way Books-sponsored author readings on the Upper West Side.
- Bowery Poetry Club Partner — Host venue for Four Way Books-sponsored readings through the Why There Are Words NYC Reading Series.
- Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference Partner — Collaborated on the publication of a book commemorating the centennial of the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference.
- Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference Partner — Collaborates to commemorate the centennial of the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference through a published anthology.
- Bryant Park Partner — Host venue for Four Way Books-sponsored author readings in midtown Manhattan.
- Dana Levin Partner — Judge for the Four Way Books Levis Prize in Poetry.
- Drew University Partner — Recipient institution whose students have received free books through Four Way Books readings.
- Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook as a platform to connect with readers and promote authors.
- Hamilton College Partner — Recipient institution whose students have received free books through Four Way Books readings.
- Ilya Kaminsky Partner — Serves as a judge for the Four Way Books Levis Prize in Poetry
- Instagram Partner — Utilizes Instagram to visually promote books and authors.
- Joan Aleshire Partner — Published poet whose work is featured in Four Way Books' Magic Lantern collection.
- Le Moyne College Partner — Recipient institution whose students have received free books through Four Way Books readings.
- Los Angeles Review of Books Partner — Profiled in the Los Angeles Review of Books in an article examining the press's two-decade evolution.
- Millbrook Library Partner — Host venue for Four Way Books-sponsored readings in Millbrook, NY.
- New York University Partner — Recipient institution whose students have received free books through Four Way Books readings.
- Project MUSE Partner — Partnered with Project MUSE for the publication of an interview featuring Martha Rhodes discussing Four Way Books.
- Sally Ball Partner — Series Editor for the Four Way Books Ellen Bryant Voigt Series in Poetry.
- Sarah Lawrence College Partner — Recipient institution whose students have received free books through Four Way Books readings.
- The Best American Poetry Blog Partner — Featured in The Best American Poetry Blog in a conversation with editors of Four Way Books.
- The New York Times Partner — Profiled in The New York Times in a feature on poetry publishers.
- The Washington Post Partner — Praised David Orr's poetry as "quirky, engaging poetry."
- Twitter Partner — Uses Twitter to engage audiences and share updates about publications.
- Warren Wilson College Network — Multiple board and staff members, including Martha Rhodes and Victor Basta, are alumni of the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College.
- Yona Harvey Partner — Author published by Four Way Books for the release of the poetry collection _Leap & Grow Feathers_.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Attention to the Ordinary as Literary and Emotional Foundationmethodology: attention-to-the-ordinaryBy focusing on everyday moments, objects, and routines as central subjects of literary work—not merely as metaphors—the organization reveals deep emotional bonds and enduring human resilience, because steadfast attention to lived reality grounds poetry in shared experience and elevates the significance of the overlooked.
- Curated Literary Community Experience for Apprenticeshipmethodology: literary apprenticeship through curated community experienceBy recreating the immersive experience of a writerly community through curated programming and publication, the organization fosters literary apprenticeship and deeper engagement with American letters, because sustained exposure to a living literary culture nurtures emerging writers and strengthens public connection to poetry and prose.
- Inclusive Submission Model to Diversify Literary Publishingmethodology: inclusive_submissionsBy maintaining an open and inclusive submission process that welcomes writers regardless of background, credentials, or affiliations, the organization increases access to literary publishing and amplifies underrepresented voices, because removing gatekeeping barriers allows for a more diverse and authentic range of human experience to enter the literary canon.
- Prize-Based Selection for Emerging Poetsmethodology: prize-based publishingBy using a prize-based model with rotating guest judges, the organization identifies and publishes emerging and established poets who might otherwise lack access to traditional publishing channels, because this approach ensures openness, merit-based selection, and broadens literary diversity regardless of publication history.