The Washington State University Press will continue to share the history, culture and creativity of the Pacific Northwest with readers, writing its next chapter under the stewardship of WSU Libraries.
Since its establishment in 1928, WSU Press has been an invaluable resource for the publication of works ranging from academic papers to works of poetry and personal stories. By Editor-in-chief Linda Bathgate’s count, the total works published in the press’ 96-year history total more than 260.
“The continued operation of the WSU Press maintains a significant part of the university’s land grant mission by disseminating research and knowledge to the communities we serve,” Bathgate said.
Preserving the press is about more than publishing books, she contends. It’s about maintaining and furthering relationships with alumni, donors, community members, and historians invested in the region, among others.
For much of its existence, the WSU Press operated as part of University Marketing and Communications. However, budget cuts within the department put the future of the WSU Press into question earlier this year.
Amid the uncertainty, options for preserving the press were explored. Pairing it with the libraries seemed well suited, as other universities like Oregon State and the University of Maryland have academic presses as part of their libraries.
The WSU Press is about more than giving regional authors an outlet to publish their work. It’s a way for us to bring forward underrepresented voices and overlooked histories, serving as an important form of outreach and education across the region we serve.Provost Chris Riley-Tillman
Washington State University
Trevor Bond, interim dean of libraries, hadn’t planned to lead his first one-on-one with new Provost Chris Riley-Tillman with discussions about the press. However, Riley-Tillman brought it up, and the pair agreed to look at ways to continue its mission amid a collection of WSU Press published works in the provost’s office.
“The WSU Press is about more than giving regional authors an outlet to publish their work,” Riley-Tillman said. “It’s a way for us to bring forward underrepresented voices and overlooked histories, serving as an important form of outreach and education across the region we serve.”
The WSU Press has published several books chronicling the histories of Native and Indigenous groups that have called the Palouse home for countless generations. It’s preparing to bring to press a new book by Roberta “Robbie” Paul — a Nez Perce member who previously served as director of WSU’s Native American Health Sciences program in Spokane — about her family’s experiences with boarding schools.
In addition to launching two new imprints in recent years, Basalt Books and Pines Press, WSU Press’ works achieved critical and commercial success. Montana Modernists, which tells the story of a postwar Western art movement, won the 2023 Joan Paterson Kerr Award from the Western History Association. Author Steve Orsini’s tale of seafaring adventure Nightmare on the Scottie, stood among works by David Sedaris and Mary Roach on the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association’s bestsellers list last year.
Within the next three years, Bond and Bathgate will be working to find ways to reduce costs associated with the press while finding new opportunities for funding.
With access to a development officer, Bathgate and Bond see opportunities to capitalize on the outpouring of support that arose when the WSU Press’ future was in doubt. The pair are also looking forward to hosting author speaking engagements and book sales in events to increase awareness of the press and its projects in the years to come.
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