Will Evans. Photo Credit: Dallas Observer.
Since he founded Deep Vellum Publishing in 2013, publisher Will Evans has been committed to publishing literature in translation. Unique, recognizable, and innovative, Deep Vellum is an important fixture in the Dallas, TX literary community as well as in the larger indie publishing world. In recent press, Evans has divulged his inspiration and publishing philosophy.
In a Poets & Writers article published on October 15, Evans highlighted key aspects of the press and the importance of continuing to build a literary community in Dallas. The non-profit press “takes its cues from other indie presses,” a business plan Evans adopted from the very beginning after cold-calling Chad Post at Open Letter Books to learn the ropes. In terms of connecting with readers, Evans said “I wanted to create a literary community in Dallas, one that could engage with our books, and the larger publishing industry.” Deep Vellum Publishing has recently leased space that will serve as a new office, a bookstore, a cafe, and an event space, and there are plans in the works for Evans and Deep Vellum to partner with local schools and printers for education.
Both your
literary and aesthetic needs will be more than fulfilled with 
Deep Vellum: each book cover is distinctive, minimal, and unique, though they all complement each other for a cohesive look. As The Casual Optimist pointed out in an article on October 16, Deep Vellum covers are “instantly recognizable.” However, they’re not pigeon-holing themselves: the cover for their recent title Tram 83 by Fiston Mwanza Mujila and translated by Roland Glasser branches away from the minimal and light aesthetic.
This past year, Deep Vellum Publishing has released ten titles, ranging from fiction to nonfiction and spanning seven different countries. They plan on publishing ten to fifteen titles each year, and their upcoming season includes books from Indonesian, Spanish, and Icelandic writers. Keep watching and reading— Deep Vellum has much in store.
