Sunday Mornings at the River is an indie poetry press run by a poet. It’s aim is to provide a home for poets outside the traditional publishing world.
Founded in 2012 by Dutch writer and editor Rebecca Calles Rijsdijk, Sunday Mornings at the River is an independent poetry press dedicated to publishing work that asks difficult questions and refuses easy answers.
I've long believed that the most interesting poetry happens in the margins. Inspired by Salman Rushdie's belief that poetry should "name the unnamable, point at frauds, take sides," I publish poems that bear witness: to grief, love, illness, work, resistance, hope, and the complicated reality of being alive.
As a one-woman press, every book is edited, designed, and published by me. Over the past decade, I've had the privilege of working with poets from around the world, creating space for voices that might otherwise go unheard—not because they are quiet, but because the literary world doesn't always know how to listen.
I don't believe poetry has to save us. But I do believe it can witness, challenge, comfort, provoke, and remind us that we are not alone.
Welcome to the little spot where the tree's roots touch the river. I saved you a seat in the sun.
Special thanks to…
Sunday Mornings at the River wouldn't be possible without the help of the dedicated individuals who have contributed their time and energy to help build the press. We would like to give a special shout-out to the people below, who have provided invaluable support, whether it's through, blogging, proofreading, editing, or spreading the word about our press. We are grateful for their former contributions and are proud to have them as part of our literary community. Thank you Kate MacAlister, Sean Felix, Corinne Owens, Leanne Kuiper, Kate Gough, August Hawley, Sophia-Maria Nicolopoulos, Sage Herrin, Emma Williamson, Victoria Schilperoort, Rebeca Scurtu and Sanne Poppeliers.
Support the Press
Sunday Mornings at the River is built from my work as both a carer and poet. Funded entirely by my day job, it’s a labour of love—offering a home for powerful voices often overlooked by mainstream publishing. If you would like to support, you can buy us a beer. Your ‘beers’ directly helps publish raw, necessary poetry and sustain a space where art and honesty matter. Every donation fuels the press. Thank you for keeping this dream alive.