FAQs 

Why do you use the word queer?

We use the word queer as an umbrella term for the LGBTQIA+ community because it is an inclusive word that encompasses many different identities of both sexuality and gender. It’s a word that offers more freedom and a word that resists concrete definition. It is also how we identify personally.

Why do you only publish queer books?

The very simple answer is because we are three queer humans who love books.

The longer answer is that Cipher Press is a response to the lack of dedicated queer publishing in the UK. In the 80s and 90s, Gay and Lesbian publishing was active and vibrant, with dedicated presses offering readers not just great books, but a space to explore ideas and identity. Like many queer spaces, these publishing houses have now closed, and we feel this is a great time to start something new, a publishing press updated to reflect the ways our community has evolved and changed. 

You can read a bit more about our ethos and ideas on our About Us page, and you can find our more about who we are here.

How can I submit to Cipher Press?

Cipher Press is currently closed for submissions. Keep an eye on our social media channels for our next submissions window.

I am a straight writer, but my book has LGBTQI+ characters. Can I submit it to Cipher Press?

The short answer is no. We set up Cipher Press to champion the voices of queer authors and to create a platform from which to tell queer stories as told by our community. 

This is not a comment on straight identities – that’s great that you have work to submit and we wish you all the luck! We are big readers who love all kinds of books from all kinds of different voices, but we have decided to focus on queer authors because championing their stories is important to us for so many reasons. There are loads of other incredible indie presses out there you can submit to instead.