Our Story

Founded in 2002 by Larry and long-time friend Stephen Taylor, the name
“Broadstone” is an amalgam of Broadway and Limestone, for the streets in Lexington, Kentucky where they attended college (respectively, Transylvania University for Moore and the University of Kentucky for Taylor). The name is thus an homage to the time when they first began a life-long commitment to arts and letters, as well as a suggestion of the breadth of the company's scope. By chartering Broadstone to promote cultural activities generally, the company is able to pursue a wide range of interests.

(As of spring 2018, Steve withdrew as a partner and is no longer actively associated with the company, though he continues to be an avid supporter of all things Broadstone.)

The company first became active in publishing in 2003, under the imprint Broadstone Books, and since then has published over 100 books, including works by regional and national authors, established and emerging. While specializing in poetry and related titles, the press is open to many other genres and subjects - see the "Submissions" link above for more details. Larry serves as publisher and associate editor (also shipping clerk and janitor).

2004 saw the establishment of the Broadstone Gallery @ KECU, an alternative art space located in the lobby of the (then) Kentucky Employees Credit Union in Frankfort. Devoted to displaying original art by new and established local and regional artists working in a wide range of mediums, the gallery provides a venue for artists to connect with viewers who don't necessarily go to art galleries, and an opportunity for credit union members, staff, and visitors to enjoy a rotating exhibit of original art. For the first several years the gallery was curated by Larry's wife Jane Chancellor Moore, and following her death in 2010, our hosts at KECU renamed it her honor as the Jane Chancellor Moore Gallery. (Since that's a lot of syllables, we call it the JCM Art Gallery.) KECU has since become Expree Credit Union, and continues to host our gallery along with a sculpture park on their grounds.

After having assisted informally from the beginning, in 2011 Sheila Bucy Potter officially joined the company as an associate editor and lead reader. In this capacity, she is typically the first to read new submissions, and she helps to select the works we publish, as well as advising on revisions and final preparation of manuscripts for publication. Effective in 2022, Sheila assumed the role of editor-in-chief for Broadstone Books.

Beginning in 2019, we welcomed Stephanie Potter as a full partner in the business. Stephanie was the inspiration for our art gallery and the first artist to exhibit there, so she is no stranger to Broadstone. Plus she is the daughter of Sheila, who is the life partner of Larry, making Broadstone a family business! Stephanie is responsible for book cover design, our website, social media and other promotion.