This series has only featured presses who have already published books, but when I heard about a brand new small press, Gold Coast Editions, I couldn’t resist spotlighting them. Founded by Chicago-based Emma Burger, Gold Coast Editions aims to publish “fiction and nonfiction with one foot in the late twentieth century and the other in the present—literature that could have been written in 1999 or 2026.”
What does straddling these time periods mean to Burger? “For someone who was barely sentient for the 90s and early 2000s, I’m very nostalgic for that time period, both as a writer and a person,” she says. “My mom died in 2001, but she was a writer and editor herself, first for Sports Illustrated, and later for a small press called Bishop Books. She is very much an inspiration for the type of work I’d like to put out, as I’m seeking to revive the style that was popular when she was coming up in this world. I’m interested in a pre-9/11, early internet aesthetic, when publishing still felt like the glamorous, lucrative industry it once was. She used to travel the world covering sports on the magazine’s dime, which sounds like a fever dream in 2026! Since starting the press, I’ve noticed a lot of writers feel similarly—particularly those from her generation, Gen X. It feels like there’s a collective yearning for that time period in the writing world. In general, I’m very influenced by the music, movies, and books produced at that time.
In particular, I’m a huge Anthony Bourdain fan, and love his version of the world and my cities—New York and Chicago—of that time period. If the work I publish could capture even a fraction of what he captures in Kitchen Confidential, I’d be very happy.”
Right now, it’s just Burger running the press, though she says she’s getting “lots” of help from friends and colleagues. “I’ve already looped in lawyer and artist friends to help with things like contracting and design. More broadly, I’m quickly realizing how many people this type of work involves, which is great and makes me feel much less alone in this endeavor. I’ve been in touch with lots of people in the writing world regarding introductions, blurbs, publicity for the press and my books, etc. That’s one thing I really love about doing this work—it’s connected me to the literary world in a totally new way. I’ve already met new people through the press, and have connected with writers I’ve long admired, which has been so much fun. The day-to-day work is very much a group effort. Of course, it includes the heads-down work of editing, formatting, dealing with printers, the press, etc., but it’s a lot of communication too with the people who I’m working with on putting these books out into the world.”
Starting a small press feels so DIY punk to me. It’s on my bucket list of things I’d love to do someday, and yet I found myself asking Burger why. Why start Gold Coast Editions?
“Part of the impetus for starting the press came from my own frustration as a writer,” she says. “I was debating either starting a press or a literary magazine, and ultimately went with a publishing imprint because it felt to me like there was a greater need. Currently, I’m querying a novella I wrote and have generally noticed that there are so many writers sitting on great manuscripts who have trouble finding a home for their work. It felt to me like there were already so many wonderful magazines out there, but not enough small presses. Of course, there are many exciting presses—Short Flight Long Drive, SARKA, House of Vlad, Clash, Haskell Industries, Rose Books, Tyrant, Two Dollar Radio, Stalking Horse Press, Non Canonical American Literature to name a few—but I’d like to think that my vision for the press is unique and is filling a gap in the market.”
I ask what makes a book a good fit for Gold Coast Editions and what Burger is personally drawn to when considering work. “I have a good sense right away when writers send me a query whether or not it’s a good fit for the press. There’s a lot of great work out there, but not everything is for me. In that sense, it’s a very subjective process, as it is for all publishers! I’m drawn to work that’s voicey and has a strong sense of place. Some influential writers for the press include Anthony Bourdain (of course), Emma Cline, Leslie Jamison, Julia May Jonas, Melissa Broder, Otessa Moshfegh, Allie Rowbottom, Elizabeth Wurtzel, Jay McInerney, and Jeffrey Eugenides, among others.”
And if you’re thinking your work might be a good fit for Gold Coast Editions, and wondering how closely they work with their authors, Burger says she’s been working “very” closely with them. “It’s imperative to me that I have a great rapport with my authors, so I try to get on the phone with them as soon as possible to make sure we have a good vibe and they’d be easy to work with. It’s an intimate relationship, and they’re trusting you with something they’ve worked so hard on that’s very close to their heart. As a writer, I know what it’s like to be on the other side of things, and you definitely want to make sure you’re working with an editor and publisher who understands the work, and will preserve the integrity of your voice. The first two books I’ve selected are very much in line with my vision for the press, and my plan is to continue along those lines as I expand the body of work being published by the press.” Burger says she’s so honored that people have already been sending such excellent work her way. She says it’s been such a pleasure to read what she’s received so far, and she can’t wait for more.
Writers can submit by sending their work directly to Burger, at emma@goldcoasteditions.com. They can send a query letter or pitch, and the entire manuscript.
Readers don’t have to wait too long before checking out a Gold Coast Editions title. Burger is thrilled to announce the first book being published under the Gold Coast imprint: It Begins in the Wind, by Bob Hill. Burger describes it as “a deeply personal essay collection that moves from New York City to Venice Beach, from the Pocono Mountains to Yosemite, New Orleans, India, and beyond. It’s written in the vein of Anthony Bourdain and Oliver Sacks, and I was drawn to the work right away. Bob Hill writes at the intersection of travel, literary journalism, memoir, and cultural criticism. His work not only spoke to me on a profound level, but it hit the nail exactly on the head in terms of the vision for the press and where it’s headed.”
The collection comes out in March 2027, just in time for AWP. They’re planning a Gold Coast Editions off-site reading during the conference from 7-10 pm on Friday March 19th at Delilah’s in Lincoln Park to celebrate. Mark your calendars as Burger says all are welcome! “Beyond that, there will be a launch party in New York for the book,” she says, “and subsequently another in NY for the book coming out in September 2027 as well—details to come. I’m extremely thrilled about both books, and look forward to sharing more details about the second one soon.”
To follow along with what Gold Coast Editions is up to, readers can follow the press on Instagram at @goldcoasteditions and online at goldcoasteditions.com.
