University Press of Kansas launches new nonfiction line Plainspoken
LAWRENCE — The University Press of Kansas has launched Plainspoken Books, a new nonfiction trade imprint focused on bringing Midwest stories into national conversations.
Far more than flyover country, the Midwest is a dynamic, important place that is vital to understanding who and what America is and where it is going. This imprint was created to lift up authentic voices and stories from the middle of country and publish meaningful books for readers everywhere.
Plainspoken Books is taking a boutique approach, offering whole-press attention, supportive editorial partnerships and collaborative marketing strategies. The entire staff at the University Press of Kansas will be involved with Plainspoken authors, combining the experience of the nearly 80-year-old publishing house with a deep knowledge of and appreciation for the Midwest. Editor Alec Loganbill is leading the imprint.
“As a lifelong Kansan, I recognize the cultural value of the often underestimated Midwest,” Loganbill said. “It is truly exciting to create an imprint that brings together the incredibly talented authors, journalists and storytellers from the Midwest, supports them with authenticity and understanding, and helps develop their impact and reach far beyond the boundaries of our region.”
The debut title, out September 2025, is “Whirlwind” by Bill Kurtis, the legendary Chicago journalist whose early life in Kansas set him on a path to cover some of the most iconic stories in modern history. In the fall of 2026, Plainspoken Books will release “My Name Was Baby: An Intersex Memoir,” a candid and inspiring story of growing up different and learning to love oneself by Kansas City-based author Chris Arnone; and “God’s Misfits,” journalist Max McCoy’s search for the heart of good and evil in the wake of an Oklahoma murder. Other titles under contract include “The Prairie Fool,“ a lyrical meditation on politics, class and culture by former Kansas poet laureate Huascar Medina; and “In the Shadow of Trump,“ in which veteran reporter and editor Clay Wirestone unpacks the past decade of Kansas politics to offer clarity for today and hope for tomorrow.
Plainspoken Books is the place for strong, concept-driven books about the politics, cultures and environments of the Midwest. Whether it is narrative journalism, sharp political commentary, inspiring memoir or zeitgeisty history, this is an imprint for authentic authors, stories with a sense of place and ideas that can capture the national imagination.
Loganbill is currently accepting proposals at all stages from agents and authors. For more, visit the Plainspoken webpage.
The University Press of Kansas was organized by the Kansas Board of Regents and is operated and funded by Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, the University of Kansas and Wichita State University.