Utah Poet Laureate Lisa Bickmore introduces Moon in the Rye Press, a mobile micro-press project designed to highlight and support literary creativity across Utah. This initiative collaborates with writers, students, printmakers, and writing groups to publish micro-editions of chapbooks, broadsides, and other literary works, creating a unique platform for diverse voices.

The name of the press comes from a poem, "Old Fences," by Ken Brewer, former Utah Poet Laureate, an esteemed and beloved poet and teacher:

Fences never kept the moon out of the rye,

and barbed wire never stopped a bull.

What's a fence to crow or coyote?

Imagine water refusing to cross a line.

Imagine snakes looking for the gate.

What We Do

Collaborative Publishing

Each project emphasizes collaboration between the press and the writer. In every step of the publication process, writers shape their publications with the guidance of Lisa and her team—from initial planning to the final printed piece.

Micro-Editions

The project will fund 50 copies of each author’s work (more copies for projects involving multiple writers), perfect for personal sharing and local distribution. Digital, print-ready files will be retained by the authors and/or groups, allowing for future reproduction and wider distribution, if desired.

Support and Resources

Participants will have access to resources and expertise in layout/design, printing, and binding, ensuring that each publication is professionally crafted and true to the creators’ vision.

Digital Archiving

All publications will be digitally archived, creating a living record of literary work being produced in Utah. This archive serves as a snapshot of the state’s current writing landscape, preserving it for future generations.