Blackmountain Press

05/27/2026

Don't forget to submit your films and music at our 31st annual film festival at:
www.filmfreeway.com/trmf
or
www.asheville-filmfestival.com

05/18/2026

Why so many Literary Presses are leaving Submittable

Literary presses and magazines are increasingly moving away from Submittable due to rising costs, restrictive pricing structures, and the availability of more affordable, publishing-focused alternatives.

For years, Submittable was widely regarded as the standard platform for literary submission management. However, many independent presses and journals are now reassessing whether the service still aligns with their operational and financial needs.

One major concern is pricing. Submittable has shifted from relatively affordable flat-rate plans to customized pricing models that often include submission caps and usage limitations. For presses that receive large volumes of submissions during open reading periods, these escalating costs can quickly become unsustainable.

At the same time, newer competitors such as Duosuma and Subfolio have emerged with tools designed specifically for literary organizations. These platforms offer many of the same organizational and editorial features at significantly lower costs, allowing smaller presses to reduce annual expenses without sacrificing functionality. To submit to the Black Mountain Press, please use our Duosuma and Subfolio links here: https://theblackmountainpress.com/projects/shop/

Another factor is Submittable’s broader corporate evolution. The company has expanded beyond literary publishing into areas such as grant management, corporate social responsibility, and large-scale funding administration. As a result, many recent updates and interface changes appear increasingly geared toward enterprise clients and nonprofit institutions rather than independent literary publishers.

Growing organizations have also expressed frustration with tiered access restrictions, including limits on editor accounts and reviewer access. As editorial teams expand, presses are often required to upgrade to substantially more expensive plans. Competing platforms frequently provide more transparent pricing structures and more flexible team access options.

Together, these shifts have prompted many literary magazines and independent presses to explore alternatives that better match the scale, budget, and collaborative needs of the literary publishing community.

Black Mountain Press is a literary press for outstanding emerging writers publishing several different genres of books annually. For the next ten years from 2019 through the end of 2029 our focus will be in collections of poetry, memoir, novels and collections of short stories. Our editors are looki...

05/01/2026

Tonight's film is Cinema Paradiso, Directed by Tornatore, 1988, 1 Oscar and 25 wins! A Great film about the love of filmmaking and the cinema. Salvatore, a famous film director, returns to his hometown for the funeral of the local theater's film projectionist, Alfredo. He reminisces about his life as a young boy falling in love with cinema. "As Good as Movies Get" At the Flood Gallery, 802 Fairview Rd, Suite 1200...7pm

04/30/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1G7jJVv47L/

Saturday, May 9 • 6:30 - 9pm
The Hay/Klimchak Duo in Experimental Music Concert at Flood Gallery
Plus Special performances by Mongo Sondo and Counterfeit Circus!
Join us for an evening of exploratory music! This concert is a prelude to the experimental program of the Twin Rivers Media Festival coming to Flood Gallery in September.
Donation-based admission. Light refreshments available.

The Hay/Klimchak Duo create spontaneous, experimental performances that blend unconventional sounds, electronics, and vocal techniques into unpredictable sonic landscapes. Flutist Emily Hay explores unusual tones, rhythms, and expressive vocals, while percussionist Klimchak uses handmade instruments, throat singing, and electronics to push beyond traditional musical boundaries. Together, they craft evolving, immersive soundscapes that are both dynamic and avant-garde.

Zen Sutherland is Mongo Sondo. Asheville’s own experimental sound and music from circuit-bent toys and hand-made instruments. His multidisciplinary work blends improvised sound, spoken word, and visual art in a playful, handcrafted, but sometimes edgy, style. Mongo Sondo has played at Bent/Broken Fest (Online, worldwide)- 2023, 2024 and 2025, Cesspool of Synth - 2023, Nightmare of Noise - 2022, 2023, 2024, Bank of Christ - 2022 and many open mics.

Counterfeit Circus: Carlos Steward, along with dozens of musicians and pantomime performers, founded the Counterfeit Circus in 1972 in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, as a way to raise funds to feed orphans. Known for its quirky blend of electronic and experimental theatre, the group has performed across Latin America. Today, Carlos brings that same spirit to his performances, weaving together film, spoken word poetry, and storytelling with an array of synthesizers and unusual instruments—channeling the energy of his traveling circus.

Flood Gallery Fine Art Center
802 Fairview Rd. Suite 1200, Asheville, NC 28803
Centrally located just off I-240 Exit 8, we have plenty of space for events, exhibits, & parking! River Ridge Business Center, Suite 1200, 802 Fairview Rd, Asheville 28803 (behind Hamrick’s and Sun Soo Martial Arts, next to Hot Yoga Asheville and Asheville Dance Theater)

04/08/2026

Live Concert by Thee Dragonfly at Flood Gallery
Saturday, April 18 • 6:30 - 9 pm
NEW BAND ~ DEBUT SHOW!
Thee Dragonfly, a 4-piece “Electric Rhythm Music” band makes its debut at Flood Gallery, featuring nostalgia-invoking ballads and fresh new originals, plus a few powerhouse covers thrown in for good measure.
The members are: Terry Goodwin on guitar, percussion, and vocals; James Kamp on guitar, harmonica, keys, and vocals; Jason Philbeck on bass and vocals; Greg Alley on drums and vocals. Original songs by Terry Goodwin and James Kamp.
Join us for an evening of music, dancing and good times, and help celebrate this new band’s debut! Donation-based admission.
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center
802 Fairview Rd. Suite 1200, Asheville, NC

03/30/2026

Come and read your poetry at the Flood Gallery, 802 Fairview Rd, Suite 1200, Mondays and/or Thursdays at 6pm!

03/27/2026

Foreign Film Friday, 7pm at the Flood Gallery 802 Fairview Rd, Suite 1200. Tonight
BLOW-UP...Michelangelo Antonioni...1966...8 Wins, 2 Oscar and 9 Nominations
Blow Up is the quintessential 60' s movie with a roster of talented British actors, colourful mod fashions (now back in vogue), dreary post-war London locations and empty streets, groovy music by American composer extraordinaire Herbie Hancock and an Italian director and writer in love with the whole scene. This pseudo thriller/whodunit unwinds rather slowly and with little dialogue and, I think, is just an excuse for Antonioni to show how weird the English were. A must see flick for the ones nostalgic or who missed the 60' s completely.

02/13/2026

For Valentine's Weekend. Like Water For Chocolate! Tonight at Foreign Film Friday at the Flood Gallery, 802 Fairview Rd, Suite 1200. 7pm. Romantic Drama
Dir. Alfonso Arau, 1992, Mexico, 24 wins. Bafta, 14 Nominations
In a forgotten Mexico village Tita and Pedro fall in love, but their marriage is forbidden as to traditions. Mother Elena sees Tita's role as her caretaker for life - no youngest daughter has ever married and her daughter will not be the first to break tradition. Tita's heart breaks when her mother offers Pedro her sister instead of her, and he accepted it just to live near Tita- he says. Now they live in the same house, and mother Elena cannot forbid their love as she did their marriage

02/06/2026

Friday Foreign film night, 802 Fairview Rd at the Flood Gallery Suite 1200. Feb 6 - "The White Ribbon" (2009), Germany, by Michael Haneke, Nom. 2 oscars, 62 wins and 49 nom.
From July 1913 to the outbreak of World War I, a series of incidents takes place in a German village: A horse trips on a wire and throws the rider; a woman falls to her death through rotted planks; the local baron's son is hung upside down in a mill; parents slap and bully their children. What is foreshadowed? Are the children holy innocents?

01/30/2026

Foreign Film Friday tonight at 7pm at the Flood Gallery, 802 Fairview Rd, suite 1200 is "City of Men" by Director Paulo Morelli, 2007, 1hr 40min, Brazil
I expected this to be a sequel to City of God, but evidently it is a conclusion of sorts to the Brazilian TV series that was created as a result of the first film. Certinly the style of film-making is different to City of God, but its subject matter, setting and gritty style are all pretty much the same. A must see film if you liked the City of God, you will love this more spot on conclusion to the series! And it looks like the weather will be on our side tonight!