Deep Vellum Partners with Texas Book Festival to Launch New Publishing Imprint: Burro Libro Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—

Deep Vellum is thrilled to announce a new collaboration with Texas Book Festival, Letterpress PLAY, and the Tejemos Foundation. Together, we will launch Burro Libro, a new publishing imprint dedicated to discovering and publishing debut literary fiction by emerging writers with strong ties to Texas.

Burro Libro Press represents a significant expansion of Texas Book Festival’s mission to connect authors and readers while investing in the future of Texas storytelling, and a recommitment by Deep Vellum to our mission of not only bringing world literature to Texas, but also bringing Texas literature to the world.

The inaugural publishing prize will award publication to one debut literary novel by an emerging author with Texas ties, with the selected work to be released in Fall 2027 in conjunction with Texas Book Festival weekend.

The selected author will receive:

  • Professional editorial development with Deep Vellum

  • Publication under the Burro Libro Press imprint

  • A print edition with an inaugural print run of 2,000 copies

  • A professionally produced audiobook

  • A $5,000 cash prize

  • Promotion connected to Texas Book Festival Weekend 2027

  • Participation as a featured author at the Festival

“Burro Libro Press reflects our belief that literary culture is not only about celebrating established voices, but also about creating meaningful pathways for emerging writers to be discovered,” said Marianne DeLeón, CEO of Texas Book Festival. “We are thrilled to partner with Deep Vellum and our collaborators to invest in the future of literary fiction and to help bring bold new Texas stories into the world.”

All manuscripts will be reviewed by the editorial team at Deep Vellum and Texas Book Festival staff, with selections based on literary merit, originality, and artistic vision. By November 2026, five finalists will be selected, with one winning manuscript chosen by the end of the year. The selected project will enter the editorial process in January 2027 ahead of publication in Fall 2027.

A statement from Jill Meyers, Editorial Director of Deep Vellum imprint A Strange Object: 

“We are excited to partner with Texas Book Festival on a program that creates new opportunities for debut fiction writers connected to Texas. Deep Vellum has always believed in championing ambitious literary voices, and this collaboration allows us to support emerging authors in a meaningful and lasting way while deepening our partnership with Texas Book Festival.”

Submissions for the inaugural cycle will be open from June 1–30, 2026.

Authors interested in submitting to Burro Libro Press can learn more and apply here.

WIll Evans