Welcome to Ex Ophidia Press
Our mission is to explore new territories of the imagination by using the traditional techniques of poetry.
All Books
These past contest winning books and other Ex Ophidia publications are available from Asterism Books or Amazon.
Richard-Gabriel Rummonds Poetry Contest
The Ex Ophidia Press Annual poetry contest is named in honor of Richard-Gabriel Rummonds who founded Ex Ophidia Press in 2014. The prize is for a full-length poetry collection.
About the Press
Ex Ophidia Press aims to publish at least one poetry collection a year chosen from the submissions in our annual poetry prize contest.
Most Recent Publication | 2024 Contest Winner
Recovery Commands
Abby E Murray’s latest collection, Recovery Commands, details a blistering indictment of life within the hermetically sealed culture of military life, with poems drafted from a reservoir of love and justice. At an even more profound level, they share an intimate and internal dialogue that doubles to cross the page and speak to the reader—and what we learn is nothing less than how to remain true to one’s deepest self, to the degree that “not even the universe// can erase the atoms/ that make up my mind.” Murray braids wisdom with lyricism in an absurd humor throughout, imploring “January, speak to me/ in blackbirds” while raising the necessary questions for us all: “Must our anthems be written in the key// of bombs or mountains?” Recovery Commands is a phenomenal meditation on selfhood within culture, and one that will remain with me for years to come.
– Brian Turner, Author of the dead peasant’s handbook
Recent News
Enjoy reading Abby E. Murray’s replies to Five Burning Questions in Sapling
Sapling spoke with Abby E. Murray, author of the debut poetry collection Hail and Farewell (Perugia Press, 2019) and a new collection, Recovery Commands (Ex Ophidia Press, June 20, 2025).
Abby E. Murray and Julie Paschold host reading at The Bookworm in Omaha
We’re feeling inspired and invigorated after Abby E. Murray’s visit to Nebraska. Thank you to everyone who attended a reading, book signing or the writing workshop.
2025 Poetry Contest Judge Announcement
We are excited to announce our judge for our 2025 Richard-Gabriel Rummonds Poetry Contest.