tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142718752024-03-07T13:54:43.770-05:00DIY Poetry Publishing Cooperative<img src="http://shannacompton.com/saddle_stapler.jpg" width = 100>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.comBlogger333125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-67954749409779860942011-05-31T14:56:00.003-04:002011-05-31T14:57:07.968-04:00The DIY Demos are back<img src="http://shannacompton.com/DIY/FoldedSheets2.jpg" width=400><br />
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I moved servers about a month ago but neglected to refresh the location info for the photos in the DIY chapbook demos. I didn't realize people were still using these! (Thanks to everyone who emailed to let me know.)<br />
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So, they are now fixed, and are still accessible from the links in the sidebar or...<br />
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<blockquote>1. <a href="http://diypublishing.blogspot.com/2005/07/demo-making-your-mock-book.html">Making your mock book.</a><br />
2. <a href="http://diypublishing.blogspot.com/2005/07/demo-layout-part-1-setting-up-your.html">Layout, part 1. Setting up your layout document.</a><br />
3. <a href="http://diypublishing.blogspot.com/2005/07/demo-layout-part-2-placing-your-text.html">Layout, part 2. Placing your text.</a><br />
4. <a href="http://diypublishing.blogspot.com/2005/07/demo-printing-andor-photocopying.html">Printing & photocopying</a><br />
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<i>These step-by-step demos are all geared toward MSWord users. In Quark or InDesign, the process is essentially the same, except you'd be working with text boxes and "facing pages" in your layout document and possibly working with style sheets to format your text.</i> </blockquote><br />
I've also gone back and added a "demos" tag so you can find them that way.<br />
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Happy chapbooking!shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-4752021595428960572009-06-28T11:20:00.002-04:002009-06-28T11:22:42.641-04:00What's up, Chicago?A newish collaborative site to answer that burning, eternal question: <br /><br /><a href="http://www.chicagopoetrycalendar.org">Chicago Poetry Calendar Dot Org</a>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-34798579860821606662009-06-21T10:56:00.005-04:002009-06-21T11:03:24.320-04:00The summer lazies......or not really lazies. More like the summer whammies. I've been outta touch, kids, due to a bunch of personal and family biz. Things have calmed down significantly since April/May, and I'm trying to catch up again and stay on top of announcements at the least. But the new content on this here blog has been lacking and may continue to be sparse while I focus on other things (like <a href="http://www.bloofbooks.com/news.html">Bloof</a>). <br /><br />Which reminds me to say, if you haven't already subscribed to the DIYPPC news feed, you're missing lots! It's a handy way to keep tabs on most of the presses we're tracking here. You can reach it via the dark blue box in the sidebar too, but here's the <a href="http://www.google.com/reader/shared/user/06214263544422960237/state/com.google/broadcast">link.</a><br /><br />Stick that in your reader & feel the rush.<br /><br />May your staplers remain full & jam-free.shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-65102009307667998582009-04-11T09:50:00.001-04:002009-04-11T09:53:27.933-04:00The Best of Stain, Volume One<blockquote>In the fall of 2008, Janice Brabaw created the music and literary series Stained Glass Confessional in Brooklyn, New York. After nearly forty performers and features in <i>Time Out, New York,</i> the <i>Greenline,</i> the <i>Brooklyn Eagle, AMNY,</i> and the <i>NY Daily News,</i> Janice is proud to announce the release of the chapbook anthology, <i>The Best of Stain, Volume One.</i><br /><br /><i>The Best of Stain, Volume One</i> features:<br /><br />Swapan Basu<br />Janice Brabaw<br />Patricia Carragon<br />Mike Fiorito<br />Roxanne Hoffman<br />Valerie Jupe<br />Laurel Kallen<br />Nina Karacosta<br />James Kass<br />Frank Kelly<br />Jee Leong Koh<br />Harry Bentivenga Lichtenstein<br />NIck Loss-Eaton (Leland Sundries)<br />Jason Madison<br />Puma Perl<br />James Skidmore<br />Carrie VanDenburg<br />Darcie VanHamlin<br />Joe Yoga<br /><br />Pre-order your copy TODAY. $7 including shipping. This is a limited run so reserve your copy now!<br /><br /><a href="http://janicebrabaw.blogspot.com/2009/04/buy-here.html">ORDER HERE! PAYPAL ONLY!</a><br /><br />Please send check or money orders (made out to Janice Brabaw) to:<br /><br />Tangled Up In Blue Productions<br />629 Grand Street<br />Brooklyn New York 11211<br /><br />You can also pick up your copy at the BOOK RELEASE PARTY on APRIL 20th at the Stain Bar in Williamsburg @ 766 Grand Street.<br /><br />This event is also STAINED GLASS CONFESSIONAL 4 which will feature Poets Laurel Kallen, Nina Karacosta, Janice Brabaw, Jessica Reed and musicians Lizzah Lohse, James Skidmore, and Mike Fiorito. Hosted by James Kass!!<br /><br />Party Starts @ 7 with an open mic, features begin at 8!!<br /><br />*** Also a special reminder that this MONDAY, April 13th, Stained Glass Confessional Presents<br /><br />An Echo, A Stain: An evening of poetry at Stain Bar<br /><br />Hosted by Lawrence E. Soehnel<br /><br />Featuring Lawrence E. Soehnel, Janice Brabaw, Frank Kelly, Ameliia Terry, and Luis Bernard.<br /><br />766 Grand Street in Williamsburg. Readings begin at 7:30. Open mic to follow features.</blockquote>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-91614587967772298482009-04-04T18:15:00.001-04:002009-04-04T18:15:59.077-04:00Poets House Showcase</br><blockquote>The only event of its kind, the annual Poets House Showcase is a free exhibit featuring all of the new poetry books and poetry-related texts published in the United States in a single year—with more than 2,000 titles on view (including volumes by individual authors, anthologies, biographies, critical studies, CDs and DVDs) from over 500 commercial, university and independent presses. The Showcase provides writers, readers and publishers with a fascinating vantage point from which to assess publishing and design trends and linguistic, aesthetic and philosophical shifts. Established in 1992 by Executive Director Lee Briccetti, the Showcase reflects Poets House’s mission to make the range of modern poetry available to the public and to stimulate public dialogue on issues of poetry and culture.<br /><br />Each year, Poets House adds the bibliographic records of all the books exhibited in the Showcase to its free, fully-searchable online database, the Directory of American Poetry Books. With over 20,000 titles, the Directory contains the most comprehensive information about U.S. poetry books and publishers from 1990 through 2008.<br /><br /><a href="http://poetshouse.org/showcase.htm"><b>The 17th Annual Poets House Showcase</a><br />April 4-11, 2009</b><br /><br />Opening Reception: Saturday, April 4, 1:00–4:00pm<br />Exhibit Hours: Saturday, April 4-11, during regular library hours<br /><br />Catch an eyeful of what's happening in poetry today with this divergent, cacophonous display of all the new poetry and poetry-related books published in the United States in the last year. From micro-press chapbooks to masterworks from major commercial publishers, over 2,000 titles share shelf space for one week.<br /><br />@ NYPL Jefferson Market Branch <br />425 Sixth Avenue (at West 10th Street) <br />For library hours, call (212) 243-4334 <br />Admission free</blockquote>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-68474098902752325772009-04-04T07:24:00.002-04:002009-04-04T07:27:09.929-04:00A CELEBRATION OF THE CHAPBOOK: April 23-25From Ana Bozicevic: <br /><blockquote>Dear Chapbook publisher:<br /><br />I’m writing you on behalf of The Graduate Center and MFA Programs in Creative Writing of the City University of New York, The Asian American Writers’ Workshop, The Center for Book Arts, and Poetry Society of America to invite you to A Celebration of the Chapbook Festival. The Festival will run from April 23rd-25th in New York City, and feature a two-day Chapbook Fair, the purpose of which will be to showcase innovative new publishers and encourage networking and community-building between publishers, poets and scholars. We would be thrilled and delighted if you could attend.<br /><br /> Here are the details:<br /><br />1) The Chapbook Fair will take place at the CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, on April 23rd-24th – from 10 AM-6 PM in the The Elebash Recital Hall Lobby of the Graduate Center on Thursday, and from 10 AM-6 PM in Rooms 8301/8304 of the Graduate Center on Friday.<br /><br />2) You will receive one half of a 6’ table free of charge. Please remember to bring everything you need; the Graduate Center only guarantees you table space and two chairs. You must bring your own table coverings, signage, tools, adhesives, pens, markers, calculators, etc. For e-publishers, you will have wireless access.<br /><br />3) All publishers will be able to keep the proceeds of their book sales.<br /><br />Please RSVP via e-mail as soon as possible if you are interested, and note that there is limited space for tables, which will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.<br /><br />For more information about the Festival and a full schedule of events, please see below. We hope you will be able to join us, and look forward to hearing from you.<br /><br />Kind regards,<br /><br />Ana Bozicevic<br /><br />A CELEBRATION OF THE CHAPBOOK<br />Thursday April 23rd, 2009 - Saturday April 25th, 2009<br />A Celebration of the Chapbook festival calls attention to the rich history of the chapbook and highlights its essential place in poetry publishing today as a vehicle for alternative poetry projects and for emerging authors and editors to gain entry into the literary marketplace. The festival will forge a new platform for the study of the chapbook inside and outside the academy and celebrate the importance of chapbooks to America’s cultural heritage and future.<br /><br />Thursday, April 23<br />at The Graduate Center, CUNY, 365 Fifth Avenue & 34th St<br /><br />Chapbook Fair<br />10:00am-6:00pm, The Elebash Recital Hall Lobby<br /><br />Brief History of Chapbooks<br />3:00-4:30pm, The Elebash Recital Hall<br />With Isaac Gewirtz, Curator of the New York Public Library’s Berg Collection; Eric Lorberer, Editor of Rain Taxi; and Michael Ryan, Director of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Library at Columbia University. Moderated by Richard Kaye, Hunter College, CUNY<br /><br />Chapbooks in the 20th and 21st Centuries<br />4:30-6:00pm, The Elebash Recital Hall<br />With Michael Basinski, Assistant Curator of the Poetry/Rare Books Collection of the University Libraries, SUNY at Buffalo; Anne Waldman, Chair and Artistic Director of Naropa University’s Summer Writing Program; and Kevin Young, Emory University. Moderated by Ammiel Alcalay, Queens College, CUNY.<br /><br />Keynote Reading<br />6:00pm, The Elebash Recital Hall<br />Readings by Lytton Smith, Gerald Stern, Judith Vollmer, Kevin Young and others, with an introduction by Kimiko Hahn.<br /><br /><br />Friday, April 24<br />at The Graduate Center, CUNY, 365 Fifth Avenue & 34th St<br /><br />Chapbook Fair<br />10:00am-6:00pm, Rooms 8301/8304<br /><br />Chapbook Now: Producing Chapbooks<br />A Workshop for Poets<br />10:00-11:30am, Room 8400<br />With Rachel Levitsky (Belladonna*); Sharon Dolin (The Center for Book Arts); and Ryan Murphy (North Beach Yacht Club). Moderated by Alice Quinn (Poetry Society of America).<br /><br />Chapbook Now: Producing Chapbooks<br />A Workshop for Publishers<br />11:30am-1:00pm, Room 8402<br />With Jen Benka (Booklyn); Matvei Yankelevich (Ugly Duckling Presse); and Brenda Iijima<br />(Portable Press at Yo-Yo Labs). Moderated by Rob Casper (Poetry Society of America).<br /><br />To register, call (212) 817-2005 or e-mail abozicevic@gc.cuny.edu – registration is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.<br /><br /><br />Friday, April 24<br />at The Center for Book Arts, 28 West 27th Street, 3rd Floor<br /><br />Bookmaking for Writers: A Studio Workshop<br />With Susan Mills and Karen Randall<br />2:00-5:00pm<br /><br />Bookmaking for Publishers: A Studio Workshop<br />With Susan Mills and Karen Randall<br />2:00-5:00pm<br /><br />To register, call (212) 481-0295 or e-mail info@centerforbookarts.org – registration is<br />offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. There's a $20 materials fee for each workshop.<br /><br />RECEPTION<br />at The Center for Book Arts, 28 West 27th Street, 3rd Floor<br />6:00 pm <br />All are welcome! Visit the exhibitions at The Center for Book Arts: \’fl \:art, text, new media,<br />Roni Gross: Zitouna at 20, and Spotlight: 2008 Artists-in-Residence.<br /><br /><br />Saturday, April 25<br />at The Asian American Writers’ Workshop, 16 West 32nd Street, Suite 10A<br /><br />Collector’s Show-and-Tell:<br />The Secret History of Asian American Literature<br />Patricia Wakida<br />2:00-3:00pm<br /><br />Publishing from the Margins<br />4:30-6:00pm<br />With Tan Lin; Dawn Lundy Martin (Third Wave Foundation, Black Took Collective); and Bushra Rehman. Moderated by Ken Chen (The Asian American Writers’ Workshop). Followed by a brief reading from the Workshop's Postcard Poetry Project.<br /><br />RECEPTION<br />at The Asian American Writers’ Workshop, 16 West 32nd Street, Suite 10A<br />6:00 pm<br /><br />Co-sponsored by The Office of Academic Affairs, The Graduate Center and MFA Programs in Creative Writing of the City University of New York, The Asian American Writers’ Workshop, The Center for Book Arts and Poetry Society of America<br /><br />Participating Publishers<br />Achiote Press<br />Belladonna*<br />Booklyn<br />Cuneiform Press<br />Dancing Girl Press<br />Diagram/New Michigan Press<br />Flying Guillotine Press<br />Noemi Press<br />North Beach Yacht Club<br />Octopus Books<br />Portable Press at Yo-Yo Labs<br />Rain Taxi<br />Sarabande Books<br />Slapering Hol<br />Small Fires Press<br />TinFish Press<br />Toadlily Press<br />Ubu Editions<br />Ugly Duckling Presse<br />and others</blockquote>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-80601058870955008712009-03-14T10:18:00.005-04:002009-03-14T10:35:42.422-04:00An interview with Michael Schiavo by Lytton Smith...<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 171px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uL95XyJwogg/SbvAl-hhA5I/AAAAAAAAAe0/aeloKZvaq7E/s400/schiavo_interview.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313051944084898706" /><br /><br />...wherein the poets discuss independent bookstores, independent presses, self-publishing, the Espresso Book Machine, and more.<br /><br /><a href="http://allpurposemagicaltent.blogspot.com/2009/03/part-one-interview-with-michael-schiavo_11.html">Part 1</a><br /><br /><a href="http://allpurposemagicaltent.blogspot.com/2009/03/part-two-interview-with-michael-schiavo.html">Part 2</a><br /><br />Order your copy of Schiavo's <i>Mad Song,</i> printed by the Espresso, <a href="http://www.northshire.com/siteinfo/bookinfo/9781605710150/0/">here.</a> Or stop by Northshire Books, if you're in the area.shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-42301237116938488602009-01-02T12:33:00.001-05:002009-01-02T12:33:32.504-05:00Happy New Year from Bloof<center><b>BLOOF BUNDLE SPECIAL: JANUARY 2009</b><br /><br /><img name="" src="http://www.bloofbooks.com/images/bundle09.png" width="288" height="108" alt="" /><br /><br /><em>Warsaw Bikini</em> by Sandra Simonds<br /> <em>My Zorba</em> by Danielle Pafunda<br /><em>For Girls (& Others)</em> by Shanna Compton<br /><em>Drunk by Noon</em> by Jennifer L. Knox<br /><p>FREE SHIPPING...plus $5 from each bundle purchase<br />goes to benefit <a href="http://www.poetsinneed.org">Poets in Need</a><br /><br /><img src="http://www.bloofbooks.com/images/pin.png" width="180" height="99" alt="" /><br /><form target="paypal" action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><br /><input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick"><br /><input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="2220417"><br /><input type="image" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt=""><br /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1"><br /></form>That's 4 books for the price of 3, free shipping, <br />and a charitable cause we can all get behind. <br />What's not to love? $45.00</center>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-21616565670211791012008-11-20T14:44:00.001-05:002008-11-20T14:44:44.437-05:00If you use Lulu...</br>I posted this in the Lulu forums. These charges have gone up since the last book I put out, but cannot be entirely explained by the increase in USPS rates. <br /><br />Shorter: Poetry books are skinny and light + Lulu's packaging is heavy and mostly empty = Customer pays 37-60% over price of order for cardboard.<blockquote>I was just testing a newly released book by logging in with a different nonseller ID to see what a customer would be charged.<br /><br />The shipping + handling on a very lightweight (5 oz.) 80-page poetry book is $5.52 for Media Mail and $7.06-$9.16 for Priority, depending on where I told it to send the book. (Priority is priced by zones.) The price of the book is $15, which means Lulu's shipping + handling adds an additional 37-60% to the total! That's a whopping amount! I couldn't believe it. <br /><br />There are 2 reasons for this (in my example): <br /><br />1) In my opinion, Lulu's packaging is excessive. I recently received a single copy of this 80 page book--which weighs 5 oz. on its own--in a large box weighing 14 oz. That means the packaging weighs nearly twice as much as the book! This packaging is the same used for customer orders of 1-2 books. (I know this because I also shop Lulu as a customer). <br /><br />2) Lulu adds additional handling costs over and above the cost of shipping. Lulu charges $7.06 for Priority shipping + handling of this package. But the postage is only $4.80 as calculated by USPS (using the same addresses/zones).The other $2.26 is for Lulu's handling. For Media Mail, USPS is $2.41, so Lulu is charging $3.11 for handling. Presumably, some of this charge goes to cover shipping materials like boxes and plastic wrap, which brings us back to point #1. <br /><br />RECOMMENDATION: Lulu should consider reduced packaging for very small/lightweight orders like these! I can't imagine they'd send a single CD in a box this big. The box measures 11.5 x 14 x 1.5 and the book is only 6 x 9 x .185. <br /><br />The same book could be sent with minimal packaging--a flat cardboard envelope with cardboard sheet and shrink wrap to protect the book, for instance--for even less than that. I mail 5 oz books ordered direct from our website for $1.68 using a sturdy envelope, a DO NOT BEND stamp, and USPS First-Class postage. For Priority orders, I use the FREE flat-rate envelopes provided by the post office and the cost is $4.80 (using the zones in my example). <br /><br />I understand the need for protective packaging, especially when shipping Media Mail--the carriers don't treat it very nicely. But making Media Mail so expensive defeats the point of it. It's supposed to be discount postage!<br /><br />Because I buy distribution packages for each of my titles, they are also available via Amazon, B&N, and other online retailers. I checked--and none of these other retailers charge as much as Lulu for shipping and handling. (They *all* use excessive packaging, alas.) For example, Amazon charges customers $3.99 for standard shipping/handling on this book. <br /><br />A customer's total at Amazon would be $18.99 for standard shipping. At Lulu Marketplace it would be $22.06 for the same item. Where do you think they are going to shop?<br /><br />I don't know the average size of books published via Lulu, but for thinner/lighter items like this, there badly needs to be an alternative. Most of the books in the Poetry section, and by definition all of the saddle-stapled books and chapbooks, must result in the same inflated charges. Why would a customer want to pay to ship a huge, mostly empty box--particularly in these times of high gas prices and tight wallets? They will go elsewhere, and Lulu sellers (and Lulu itself) will earn less in commissions as a result, even if total sales remain unaffected.<br /><br />Make some noise if you agree. Lulu been pretty responsive to requests in the past, and maybe they'll consider it. In the meantime, I can't blame my customers for shopping with another retailer and I actually feel *guilty* directing them here just so I can make more.</blockquote>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-59143986676367879792008-11-02T10:23:00.002-05:002008-11-20T14:44:14.296-05:00Preorder special on Warsaw Bikini!<img src="http://www.bloofbooks.com/images/wb.jpg" height=300><br /><br />Sandra Simonds' new book <i>Warsaw Bikini</i> has been finalized and is currently printing. We're pleased to offer a special preorder price of $12 with free shipping to celebrate its release. <br /><br />Orders should begin shipping on or about November 16, at which time the special offer will expire. (Regular price $15 + shipping). <br /><br /><a href="http://bloofbooks.com/wb.html">Get yours at the Bloof store now.</a><br /><br /><b>This sale is now over. Thanks for your orders!</b>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-78577750270487180552008-10-23T16:58:00.002-04:002008-10-23T17:01:08.066-04:00Introducing:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSswJhOn3y-8Kvm_qV5ehrwEAhoFYFmKLhtDW7cLYulktcaMClV8rCErnqpDKYaVpNQ8tz-DymVjKaNyAxNnZQO69IM-i2MjtQWXPtw2W2lNjL16E7DbxHWAc5Lh-SVpXTQWwP-w/s1600-h/header.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 71px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSswJhOn3y-8Kvm_qV5ehrwEAhoFYFmKLhtDW7cLYulktcaMClV8rCErnqpDKYaVpNQ8tz-DymVjKaNyAxNnZQO69IM-i2MjtQWXPtw2W2lNjL16E7DbxHWAc5Lh-SVpXTQWwP-w/s400/header.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260456962034527650" border="0" /></a><br />From the editors, <a href="http://lunchtimeforbears.blogspot.com">Bryan Coffelt</a> & <a href="http://journalismblues.blogspot.com">Willie Ziebell</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote><p>Rain Fade is interference and degradation of a signal.</p><p>Rain Fade is the barrier between words and objects.</p><p>Rain Fade is the space between your eye and my eye. </p><p>Rain Fade is a new journal of interesting and innovative writing and visual art. We are interested in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, photography, painting, and much more. Send all submissions and inquiries to <script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript"> <!-- var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy42613 = 'submissions' + '@'; addy42613 = addy42613 + 'rain-fade' + '.' + 'com'; var addy_text42613 = 'submissions' + '@' + 'rain-fade' + '.' + 'com'; document.write( '<a>' ); document.write( addy_text42613 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //-->\n </script><a href="mailto:submissions@rain-fade.com">submissions@rain-fade.com</a><script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript"> <!-- document.write( '<span style="\'display:">' ); //--> </script><span style="display: none;">This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it <script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript"> <!-- document.write( '</' ); document.write( 'span>' ); //--> </script></span>.</p></blockquote>jess rowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526981872114667409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-88059277418086302872008-09-15T09:28:00.004-04:002008-09-15T15:02:37.450-04:00Submit to Zero Ducats<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9qQfvA3oW1CjUu6hT6Tv73HcE9yQTmiX258FaGQetza0uPXxtIrBII0EH4Digj2QJ0IbiFnFTfc62IcSBtffGMTX8br6LqKMpXhyphenhyphenYAWlN3H9Ur1jog4nZt4OcWRAH9GDDyoH/s1600-h/zero_ducats_web_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9qQfvA3oW1CjUu6hT6Tv73HcE9yQTmiX258FaGQetza0uPXxtIrBII0EH4Digj2QJ0IbiFnFTfc62IcSBtffGMTX8br6LqKMpXhyphenhyphenYAWlN3H9Ur1jog4nZt4OcWRAH9GDDyoH/s320/zero_ducats_web_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246325533351876146" /></a><br />From Scott Alexander Jones:<br /><br />Zero Ducats, a print journal of fringe poetry comprised of paper entirely dumpstered and pilfered and acquired via freecycle. We will be printing up a few hundred copies on a commandeered letterpress in Boulder, CO this winter. Thus far, we have Linh Dinh, among others, on board, which is exciting:<br /><br /><a href="http://zeroducats.uber.com/">zeroducats</a><br /><br />Please pass the word along to any like-minded poets out there who might be interested in submitting.Sandra Simondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09249665912348548090noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-1338653443365708332008-09-05T15:36:00.001-04:002008-09-05T15:38:46.557-04:00Introducing Flarf Beat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uL95XyJwogg/SMGKvRb7kFI/AAAAAAAAAcs/9KISV78EWF0/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uL95XyJwogg/SMGKvRb7kFI/AAAAAAAAAcs/9KISV78EWF0/s320/Picture+1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242623985975005266" /></a><br /><br /><br />FLARF BEAT!<br /><br />"Best thought, worst thought"<br />Vol 1 No 1<br /><br />Featuring<br />"A unicorn boner for humanity" by Sharon Mesmer<br /><br />Your Problems with FLARF<br /><br />"Mohammad Vs Mesmer"<br />A review of "Dalek Boner and Steepleflower"<br />Michael Magee's Latest Apologies<br />"I Google Myself"<br /><br />this is it... don't miss your chance to<br />PARTY WITH THE FLARF POETS!<br /><br />Get in on the "ground floor" and<br />write for a free issue:<br />flarfbeatATgmailDOTcom<br /><br /><a href="http://flarfbeat.blogspot.com/">Link</a>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-61839595624362500762008-07-25T12:02:00.003-04:002008-07-25T12:09:15.099-04:00Haiku Not Bombs<blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sEXrvWmOx3suPa6abQXllunmdTvFbki021Zo8XvjMeRU3H6Ns7MifEgRkBjoWsPciFSp6bzOR6CM3_bKDwuxHASUhejCaQEVuKywTyBay3Fe5-VRo3IYgMwB-HfUAED49hiC/s1600-h/HNBcover-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sEXrvWmOx3suPa6abQXllunmdTvFbki021Zo8XvjMeRU3H6Ns7MifEgRkBjoWsPciFSp6bzOR6CM3_bKDwuxHASUhejCaQEVuKywTyBay3Fe5-VRo3IYgMwB-HfUAED49hiC/s400/HNBcover-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226983971620923442" /></a><a href="http://www.booklyn.org/">The Booklyn Artist Alliance</a> is pleased to announce the publication of <span style="font-style:italic;">Haiku Not Bombs. Haiku Not Bombs</span> is an outgrowth of <span style="font-style:italic;">the haiku year,</span> published by Soft Skull Press in 1998. In 1996, a group of friends made a commitment to write one haiku a day and mail them to each other. At the end of the year, they realized that their collection of simple, critical observations had given them a new way to look at the details of their lives. Original members of the project included Michael Stipe, Grant-Lee Phillips, Tom Gilroy, Jim McKay, Anna Grace and other contributors from diverse artistic backgrounds ranging from pop music and theater to independent film. <br /> <br />In the current incarnation of the haiku year project, several of the project's founding members decided to continue with their haiku practice, inviting new writers to take part in a new collaborative project. The challenge was reduced to writing one haiku poem for every week of the year. The collection of contributors to the current manuscript, include Tom Gilroy, Jim McKay, Grant-Lee Phillips, Denise Siegel, Biskit Roth, Alison Roth, Patrick So, and Shin Yu Pai. The poems in Haiku Not Bombs range from the one-line hokku form and the Filipino hay(na)ku to linked verses (renga) and the loose western style haiku favored by writers like Jack Kerouac and American practitioners of the craft. Some emergent themes include modernity, urban life and the everyday.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">About the Authors:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tom Gilroy</span> lives in New York City where he works in film and theatre. In the last few years he has released the feature film <span style="font-style:italic;">Spring Forward,</span> the books <span style="font-style:italic;">Spring Forward</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">the haiku year.</span> He currently writes for the political blog <span style="font-style:italic;">The Huffington Post</span> and the comedy revue <span style="font-style:italic;">Wake Up, World,</span> which he created with Lizz Winstead. In the works are the publication of his collected plays and theatre pieces, his new book of haiku <span style="font-style:italic;">Volunteer Geraniums,</span> and principal photography on his new film <span style="font-style:italic;">Bad Muslim.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jim McKay</span> is a filmmaker, husband, and father. He lives in Brooklyn, USA. His haiku have appeared in <span style="font-style:italic;">the haiku year, Snapshots 12,</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Noon.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Shin Yu Pai </span> lives and works in Seattle. She is a poet, photographer, bookmaker, and editor. Her works include <span style="font-style:italic;">Works on Paper, Sightings: Selected Works, The Love Hotel Poems, Unnecessary Roughness, Equivalence,</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Ten Thousand Miles of Mountains and Rivers.</span> Visit <a href="http://shinyupai.com">www.shinyupai.com</a> for more information.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Grant-Lee Phillips</span> is best known as a songwriter and vocalist. The former leader of the seminal '90s group, Grant Lee Buffalo, Phillips continues to garner international acclaim as a solo artist. A resident of Los Angeles, Grant-Lee Phillips enjoys a diverse career which extends to music, acting, film composing, visual art and poetry.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Allison Roth</span> is a graduate student at Cal Poly Pomona, studying the effects of climate change on desert plants. She wrote many of these haiku as a student at Whittier College and as an intern for the National Park Service.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Rick "Biskit" Roth</span> has been a human rights activist for more than 20 years, coordinating a dedicated group of Amnesty International volunteers in Somerville, MA. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Students for a Free Tibet. He is owner of Mirror Image, an award-winning T-shirt screenprinting factory, known for its creative designs and innovative printing techniques. He is the proud father of eight children.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Denise Siegel</span> is an alumni of CalArts. Her one-act play, <span style="font-style:italic;">Where the Chips Fall,</span> was produced by Theater Unlimited. Her novel <span style="font-style:italic;">Americhrist</span> won an editor's choice award at the SDSU Writer's Conference and is currently in the quarterfinals for the 14th Annual Writer's Network Screenplay & Fiction Competition. Denise's visual art is currently represented by Gallery 825 in Los Angeles.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Patrick So</span> is a man of science, a lover of the arts, and a student of life. He lives in New York City.</blockquote><br /><br />Get your copy from Booklyn <a href="http://www.booklyn.org/ABC6.html">here.</a>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-81645381585872762582008-07-25T11:12:00.001-04:002008-07-25T11:13:40.858-04:00More on Small Presses & Amazon<blockquote><a href="http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/07/amazons_embracing_of_small_pub.html">However, there's a price for entering such a spectacular marketplace; one so steep that it could be argued that all the economic advantage goes to Amazon alone. The standard fee for small presses working through the Advantage programme is a staggering 55% of a book's cover price. In addition, publishers are also responsible for the cost of shipping their books to Amazon warehouses. This puts these publishers in the horrible position of having access to arguably the best book distribution system ever devised, while being charged so much for the privilege that it becomes difficult to impossible for them to make any money.<br /><br />This 55% charge comes on top of the considerably higher production costs smaller houses face in comparison to larger houses (who also have the power to negotiate lower fees from Amazon). The rice structure of the book printing industry usually rewards high volume jobs, which means that since small publishers on average print far fewer books they are charged much more per book than their larger counterparts. So between these printing and shipping costs and the high fees, it's possible in some cases for small publishers to actually lose money when working through Amazon.</a></blockquote>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-20077106958507337492008-07-19T17:04:00.003-04:002008-07-19T17:10:41.809-04:00Bootstrap News: Small Press Fair in Lowell, MA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_uL95XyJwogg/SIJX5BTZtHI/AAAAAAAAAU4/DSfJj97ASUA/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_uL95XyJwogg/SIJX5BTZtHI/AAAAAAAAAU4/DSfJj97ASUA/s400/Picture+1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224835154817168498" /></a><br />The word from Derek Fenner and Ryan Gallagher of <a href="www.bootstrapproductions.org">Bootstrap Productions<br /></a>:<blockquote>This year, Lowell will be hosting the first ever annual <a href="http://masspoetry.com/festival/">Massachusetts Poetry Festival</a> from October 10th - 11th. [Get in touch with them at bootstrapproductions[at]gmail[dot]com for the .pdf factsheet.]<br /><br />The reason we are writing you is to invite you to participate in the small press fair. There will be no fee—we have made sure that the festival factored in the cost of renting an art gallery downtown and covered the cost of tables and chairs. You will keep 100% of what you sell.<br /><br />Why do we think it will be successful?<br /><br />The organizers of this festival have remained committed to showing the diversity of the art of poetry. Represented and given equal weight alongside of "established" academic poets from college campuses will be a strong representation from experimental literature, literature in translation, slam / performance poetry, and a diversity of cultures. Though this is impossible to achieve with perfection--the festival has made this a priority. Bootstrap has been asked to have a major role in bringing in "headline readers", plan events, and (which is why we are writing to you) to plan the small press fair and related panel discussions. <br /><br />The Small Press Fair: When we were first asked to be a part of this festival, we expressed our idea that in order for this to really "work" that we should highlight small press publishing and show its importance to the craft of poetry—without a small press culture, there is no sustainable poetics. <br /><br />The goal is to reach out and draw in a sizable crowd--one which will hopefully support poetry by buying books. We'd like to think that Lowell could become a Columbus Day destination every year--you come and sell books and hang out in Kerouac's city in the middle of a New England autumn. The city will also be covered with poetry as public art and should be a visual treat. <br /><br />But this can't happen without some help from you—to add some legitimacy to this event. <br /><br />If you are interested?<br /><br />Please contact us as soon as possible. The Book Fair and related panels will take place all day on Saturday, October 11th. <br /><br />We will also keep you in contact of events as they arise and are booked--and can help with suggestions if you choose to stay in downtown Lowell for one or two of the nights--The Doubletree is a great hotel, very affordable, right at the heart of all the events in downtown--only a stones throw away from Kerouac Park--has nice views of the city, canals, the Merrimack River (immortalized by both Kerouac and Thoreau) and the New Hampshire hills. Drive about an hour in any direction from Lowell and you could end up in Boston, Providence, the beginning of Cape Cod, Salem MA, Gloucester MA, The New Hampshire and Maine Coasts, the Appalachian trail in New Hampshire (great hiking), the Berkshires, Walden Pond--the list goes on....<br /><br />More… about Lowell & the Mass Poetry Festival:<br /><br />Lowell already has a strong literary tradition to build from, and since Lowell received status as a Historic National Park over 25 years ago, the city has focused effort and funding to promote itself as a historic and cultural destination. As part of the milieu of a revitalized downtown, the largest and (we would argue) most successful free music and ethnic Folk Festival in the country, as well as the rich cultural history represented with its population—Lowell will begin hosting what we hope will be a successful and energetic Poetry Festival every year.<br /><br />Members of the planning committee are drawing off of prior experience as well as contacts and institutional organizations that have made Lowell a great place to hold Festivals: i.e. The Lowell Folk Festival, Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL), The Revolving Museum, and UMass Lowell are just a few of the organizations involved in planning and (just as importantly) in securing funding.</blockquote>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-50124413493455211272008-07-01T11:58:00.005-04:002008-07-01T12:11:21.968-04:00Printing Poetry @ the Arm: July 12 & 19I pinged this via the Member News feed the other day,* but in case you missed it there, here's the scoop from Kyle Schlesinger: <br /><blockquote><b>PRINTING POETRY: A Workshop for Poets and Visual Artists at The Arm Letterpress Studio</b><br /><br /><center><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uL95XyJwogg/SGpWfd5c3aI/AAAAAAAAAUY/PidsEO0-tog/s400/the_arm.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218078216863669666" /></center><br />On July 12th and 19th, Dan Morris and I will be teaching a two-day letterpress workshop together at The Arm Letterpress Studio in Brooklyn, NY. You'll learn the basics of typography, composition and have the opportunity to print a broadside that features your own text and image on the Vandercook proof press. Come alone or with a collaborator. No previous experience necessary. All materials provided. More details available <a href="http://www.thearmnyc.com/information/workshops">here.</a> The Arm is a young, grassroots organization for poets, artists, and aspiring printers located near the G and L trains in Williamsburg.</blockquote><br />Awesome, no? <br /><br />Kyle also notes that "the Arm also has presses available for rent (lowest price in town) should you wish to come in for the day and do your own thing." They also offer one-on-one instruction if you're new to letterpress (or even if you're not--machines are different and usually have unique, shall we say, personalities.)<br /><br />And peek at their <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thearm/">Flickr stream</a> for pics of the presses, the gallery, and past events.<br /><br /><font size=1>* If you're not subscribed to the <a href="http://www.google.com/reader/shared/user/06214263544422960237/state/com.google/broadcast">DIY Member News Feed</a> or regularly checking the dark blue sidebar to your right, you are missing most of the news on this here blog. Hint hint!</font>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-68727224324724506002008-06-27T13:25:00.000-04:002008-06-27T13:26:23.310-04:00Participate in Boog City’s 5th Annual Small, Small Press Fair<blockquote><b>Exhibit at Boog City’s 5th Annual Small, Small Press Fair</b><br />(with Indie Records and Crafts, too)<br /><br />Sat. Sept. 20, 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.<br /><br />at day 3 of the 2nd annual<br />Welcome to Boog City poetry and music festival<br />(complete fest info below)<br /><br />Cakeshop<br />152 Ludlow St.<br />NYC<br /><br />$15 for a table <br /><br />The first 2.5 hours, 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. will feature performances by authors from the tabling presses<br />(exact amount of time per press TBD when the number of exhibiting presses is set)<br /><br />Door charge for attendees is $5<br /><br />email editor@boogcity.com or call 212-842-BOOG (2664)<br />to reserve your table today<br /><br />Featuring nonstop performances throughout the day<br /><br />with readings from<br /><br />Jen Benka<br />Todd Colby<br />Ryan Eckes<br />Elise Ficarra<br />Eric Gelsinger<br />Stephanie Gray<br />David Hadbawnik<br />Bill Kushner<br />Douglas Manson<br />Kristianne Meal<br />Sharon Mesmer<br />Carol Mirakove<br />Kathryn Pringle<br />Maureen Thorson<br />Magdalena Zurawski<br /><br />and music from<br /><br />A Brief View of the Hudson<br />Double Deuce<br />Heart Parts <br />Phoebe Kreutz</blockquote><br />And much much more. Get in touch with David for more info:<br /><br /><i>Boog City</i> editor David Kirschenbaum<br />212-842-BOOG (2664) * editor@boogcity.comshannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-26171706236700021962008-06-21T09:39:00.002-04:002008-06-21T09:44:49.850-04:00Spudnik Press: Printmaking & book arts in Chicago<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uL95XyJwogg/SF0FGCHRF3I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/Nw8Q7twCkdI/s400/spudnik.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214329544769607538" /><blockquote>Spudnik Press is a comprehensive cooperative artist studio dedicated to encouraging new talent in fine art printmaking in an alternative art space. Open to all levels of printmakers, Spudnik Press provides common studio space capable of printing traditional as well as photographic litho, relief, and silkscreen prints. Additionally, Spudnik Press fosters a greater public awareness and understanding of prints and art-making in general by offering demonstrations, workshop, critiques, and gallery shows.</blockquote><br />No site feed that I can find, so bookmark <a href="http://www.spudnikpress.com/">their site</a> & check back frequently, or join their mailing list <a href="http://www.spudnikpress.com/contact.html">here.</a><br /><br />And if you're in the area, catch the Poetry & Prints #2 Show, June 27: <br /><blockquote>An informal reading meets an informal print show<br />Saturday June 27, 2008 at 7:30 PM <br /><br />Poetry and Prints #2 will feature the poetry of 3 east coast writers, each of whom is a small press editor/publisher, and all of whose presses remain important satellites of the small press community. <a href="http://www.spudnikpress.com/poetry.html">Click here</a> for more info about these three writers, Dana Ward, Jess Mynes, and Michael Carr.<br /><br />Their work will be presented alongside a smattering of work printed at Spudnik Press during the first year of Spudnik Press’ existence.</blockquote>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-65147079234599162312008-06-17T23:59:00.003-04:002008-06-18T00:03:12.085-04:00Ahem.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://mitzvahchaps.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD0ZL_LHFC-CP-IGtaowd2FL91iaTIi_I3RSs2E9V490fAkydYu8Uukl-yCIBBAlWzv2k93nUwPON7U2BUfYhsOoB0NznJfBuqqrzeho0rRoR5GCxeCjZy4wPIYa-PcTXZ1z7nQ/s400/AnneCover1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213066793186152498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://mitzvahchaps.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogtEzOW_DzIYktSR2U_9AXLMUS5MQorrySVT-BugvzuSWh5GAvnhEh6ZupnZ0OKZLM4r4Wcc671Wnqz9HoQDzaDsAZi_rVq_eDA6o8qejyXU2mWVUINuPmBvMfmatwIV9D3Yvhw/s400/ChuckCover1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213066792332655122" border="0" /></a><br />(because some things can never be too Internet-hailed. go Ye. fill your hands.)jess rowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526981872114667409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-37051495139756893492008-06-17T12:11:00.004-04:002008-06-17T12:14:26.104-04:00New! Scrambler Press<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqlPAowbRigG67wwC6kvWSFR-xNE36AxaMLOQHt_mubZ5H4Ofdz4tVGuy5RB5vjBnBGcjlBvJT2WPb_t48-Yc7cTlwzKLJxn8cZhrj1fNcaM1DxIpGbyikXagNwl2R3fW123B/s1600-h/rarer.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqlPAowbRigG67wwC6kvWSFR-xNE36AxaMLOQHt_mubZ5H4Ofdz4tVGuy5RB5vjBnBGcjlBvJT2WPb_t48-Yc7cTlwzKLJxn8cZhrj1fNcaM1DxIpGbyikXagNwl2R3fW123B/s320/rarer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212884121831846082" /></a><br /><i>Rarer and More Wonderful</i><br />Poetry by Trevor Calvert<br /><br />Price: $14.00<br />Shipping: $1.50 (USA)<br /><br />6" x 9" Paperback book<br />76 pages<br /><br />ISBN: 978-0-6152-1398-2<br /><br />I don't know who/what/why about this press (thanks to Reb for the tip on her blog). But I hope they install a blog or some kind of RSS for news so I can add them to the DIY feed. Anyway, see the <a href="http://www.scramblerbooks.com/">Scrambler Press website</a> for ordering info.shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-15887076945130081152008-06-16T08:42:00.002-04:002008-06-16T08:43:38.743-04:00Amazon disables Buy Now buttons in the UK<blockquote>“Amazon seems each year to go from one publisher to another, making increasing demands in order to achieve richer terms at our expense and sometimes at yours,” Mr. Hutchinson said in the letter. “If this continued, it would not be long before Amazon got virtually all of the revenue that is presently shared between author, publisher, retailer, printer and other parties.”</blockquote><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/16/business/media/16amazon.html?_r=1&oref=slogin">Read the rest.</a> [Sigh.]shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-17467148833713310532008-05-01T13:28:00.003-04:002008-06-02T11:38:59.592-04:00Reb Livingtson at Very Like a WhaleI already put this in the aggregate feed in the sidebar (to which you've subscribed, no?), but it's so good, I think I'll also cajole you again from here.<br /><br /><a href="http://verylikeawhale.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/ten-questions-2-reb-livingston/">Link.</a>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-24339674413421920942008-04-29T08:43:00.002-04:002008-04-29T08:50:58.135-04:00Congratulations to our friends at Ugly Duckling Presse<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpBTgSgOi5_yZkRlIjiW8h3Cf5hsKLkwkfbS6PV_TPytlbf_i1K5MJqC1RRoGr1EmuIDkovK91Shf2MXsvfdozo0s8rSshCCLT5W76MzOfljaBhJ9RnXwA-xgbnKOIol1w2SP/s1600-h/saroyan.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpBTgSgOi5_yZkRlIjiW8h3Cf5hsKLkwkfbS6PV_TPytlbf_i1K5MJqC1RRoGr1EmuIDkovK91Shf2MXsvfdozo0s8rSshCCLT5W76MzOfljaBhJ9RnXwA-xgbnKOIol1w2SP/s320/saroyan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194648753766294050" /></a><br />Huzzah! Not only did Ugly Duckling's recent release <i>Complete Minimal Poems</i> by Aram Saroyan win the <a href="http://www.poetrysociety.org">Poetry Society of America</a>'s <a href="http://ronsilliman.blogspot.com/2008/04/i-was-planning-on-running-this-note.html">William Carlos William Award judged by Ron Silliman,</a> it's also been <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/books/review/Hell-t.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin">reviewed favorably in the <i>New York Times Book Review.</i></a> <br /><br />Get your copy <a href="http://www.uglyducklingpresse.org/page-Complete.html">here.</a>shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14271875.post-85765793809335332362008-04-01T18:49:00.006-04:002008-04-02T06:44:58.114-04:00Brief word from LuluIn that same forum (link in yesterday's post, I'm too busy to go get it for ya and you have to be a Lulu user anyway): <br /><br /><blockquote>"We would like to assure our users that Lulu continues to have a strong relationship with Amazon..com. As a result, the recent changes Amazon.com has announced should not adversely affect Lulu content listed within Amazon.com in any way. <br /><br />Regards, <br />Adam"</blockquote><br /><br />Outta here!<br /><br /><b>UPDATE 4/2 6:00 AM:</b> <i>Publishers Weekly</i> reports Ingram's response to Amazon's policy and open letter <a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6546490.html?desc=topstory">here.</a> Most of the article simply summarizes the open letter, but here is the gist of what Ingram is saying: <br /><blockquote>In his statement, John Ingram said that while “the questions that are being raised about Amazon.com and its Booksurge division don't directly relate to Ingram - either Lightning Source Inc. or Ingram Book Group - it clearly is alarming many of our publisher partners.” According to John Ingram, “publishers are telling us they feel Amazon.com’s actions are not appropriate.” John Ingram’s statement adds that the company has been unable to get a direct response from Amazon about its pod shift.<br /><br />“We all live in a world where decisions are made about insourcing and outsourcing, and free choice is important,” the statement continues. “At Ingram Book and Lightning Source, we are going to work really hard to continue to be the compelling choice as publishers make their outsourcing decisions. Our breadth of distribution channels including the online retailers remains the same, and Ingram still provides one day turnaround in the fulfillment of orders for books including print on demand titles.”</blockquote><br /><br />And Ingram's POD division Lightning Source has apparently issued the following statement to its customers: <br /><blockquote>Dear Customer, <br /><br />Lightning Source has been following the recent press coverage and discussions about Amazon.com and BookSurge. We are aware of the concern this is causing the publishing community. The issue centers around Amazon.com tying the availability of your books and terms of sale at Amazon.com to the production of books at the Amazon.com subsidiary BookSurge, specifically requiring you to use BookSurge in order to sell on Amazon. <br /><br />Like you, we are very concerned about any conduct that would serve to limit a publishers choice in supply chain partners and to negatively impact the cost of your products to consumers. We believe that choice and selection of best of class services are critical to the long term success of publishers and a vibrant book market. <br /><br />Lightning Source continues to provide the highest quality digital on demand print and distribution services for every one of our customers. All your titles continue to be available to all of our channel partners, including Amazon.com, with immediate availability for shipment within 24 hours. <br /><br />We are committed to providing you with the best of class quality product and fastest distribution service in the market, and will continually work to develop new channels and new offerings. <br /><br />Lightning Source will continue to monitor this situation and let you know when we have more information. <br />Please feel free to call your Lightning Source point of contact, if you have any additional questions.</blockquote><br /><br />So...Ingram's saying Amazon can still order from them the way they have been. Lulu (whose books on Amazon are currently supplied by Ingram) is saying there will be no affect on Lulu customers. But unless Amazon modifies its policy to specify certain POD books, not all POD books, all three cannot be companies cannot be correct, and we have what looks like an impasse but is probably just a logical blackhole created by the PR. [speculation] Since Lulu and Ingram seem to either be resisting or compromising with Amazon, I am *guessing* that Amazon will, in effect, modify its policy (perhaps without stating that they are doing so); it would make sense for them to continue to order Lulu, Lightning Source & other non-BookSurge POD titles that are doing well for them. Otherwise they stand to lose revenue and their place as the "we've got everything" retailer. The POD titles that are not selling well for Amazon will continue to be deactivated unless the publishers (micro, small or self-) comply with the BookSurge requirement. This will probably hurt self publishers the most.[/end speculation]<br /><br />As I sort of vaguely pointed out in the "In practical terms" post, switching to the Amazon Advantage program is being touted by Amazon as an alternative to adding BookSurge for Amazon availability. But the publisher of my first poetry book used that--it was a new press using traditional offset printing and did not qualify for a contract with Ingram, Consortium, or other distributors/wholesalers (which have annual sales/volume requirements a new small press can't meet). The publisher sent 5 books at a time to Amazon, which reordered as necessary. The resulting lag time between reorder and fulfillment meant my book was often "out of stock--more on the way" much of the time. (Which is primarily why I bought a bunch of copies and started selling it myself on my website.) How do out-of-stock books better serve Amazon's customers? Beats me.shannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706867356078179503noreply@blogger.com2