reader meet author

When I pulled a battered and thin packed postmarked Kolkata, India from my spacious suburban po box a few weeks ago I had no idea of the lesson that was in store. The contents of the package were several broadside under the heading Graffiti. Published by writer Subhankar Das, Graffiti-Kolkata is a publication in English that features poems from writers from around the world and as I came to find out it is a remarkable stand just to get these published. As he tells the story, it is not as simple as it is here to get your work puslished and distributed. His new collection, The Stark Electric Space/An International Anthology Of Indie Writers is a work that deserves to read in all countries, but unfortunately he will have a difficult time selling it in his own country.

Fascinated by all of this I recently asked Subhankar a few questions.

Orange Alert (OA): You have published a great deal in your native language, but what prompted you to create Graffiti?

The approach of editor and publisher Kevin Whiteley is unique and refreshing. He is not looking for the big names and sweeping romantic stories although he respects them. He is looking for the raw, the gutter soaked, the dark and dangerous, and pulls it from all the strangest corners of the literary universe. One key element to the success of the journal is the way Kevin manages to transcend the gap between song and story. It's that back room brawl, that night spent on the park bench with out anywhere else to go, the jail cell, and all filter through stained keys of the typewriter.

Criminal Class Review has released three issues and is about to release its fourth. They are celebrating the release with a reading on February 28th at WeeGee’s Lounge, 3659 W. Armitage right here in Chicago. Recently, editor Kevin Whiteley was kind enough to answer a few of my questions.

Orange Alert (OA): Criminal Class Review is not your typical literary journal. What was the inspiration behind creating CCR?

The more involved I get in the world of publishing the more I find that there is an order or progression to things. Your career and opportunities grow as you gain knowledge, experience, and respect. A writer and publisher that I really respect is Cynthia Reeser. She recently announced the arrival of her new press Aqueous Books. This comes in a addition to her literary site Prick of The Spindle, and her productive career as writer. She is a very busy women, but recently took time to answer a few of my questions.

Orange Alert (OA): You recently announced the arrival of Aqueous Books on your blog. What prompted you to start a press and are there any details that you can share about the upcoming plans?

It's not easy to put yourself out there and submit your work to a lit zine or a publisher. I find myself becoming increasingly interested in what prompts a writer to submit to a specific publisher over another. I was recently talking with local writer Brandon Will, and he mentioned a list he had created of journals he is going to submit to. I had never pictured it that way, but I image more writers operate that way. So, when I find a writer like Kathryn Regina who has already been published by two of my favorite presses it makes wonder what press may be next.

Kathryn has released two chapbooks, I Am In The Air Right Now (Greying Ghost Press)and As I Said (Publishing Genus Press. Recently, she was kind enough to answer a few of my questions.

Orange Alert (OA): I really enjoyed the video you and Greg Lytle did for I Am In The Air Right Now. How did that come about and do you feel it helped promote the chap?

"If you make a difference, people will gravitate to you. They want to engage, to interact and to get you more involved." - Seth Godin (blogger)

The idea is the more respect and attention you give to others the more attention you draw to yourself. Soon we may have to called it the Mel Bosworth factor, but it a principle that I have tried to implement for the last three years. Writer and blogger Greg Santos clearly believes this as well, and when you read through his blog Moondoggy's Pad, you find him talking more about the quality work his friends and fellow writers are putting out then his own work. I firmly believes this makes a difference and it is what brought me to enjoy Greg's work and reach out to him for an interview.

Orange Alert (OA): I really enjoyed your collection for Pangur Ban Party, Thinking Things Through. Do you like the format that it was presented? When you wrote it did you visualize it print rather than a the web presentation?

What wins over the reader of Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz is her natural style and her far reaching content. In her latest collection, this poetry slam legend, touches on everything from office life to giraffes trained to rape humans. Always clever, Cristin clearly enjoys sharing her stories, her research, and her wildest dreams, and Every Thing is Everything reflects this perfectly. Her publisher is Write Bloody Press, and what is exciting is that they will be reissuing Cristin's previous four collections as well. 2010 promises to be a big year Cristin and I am glad to have her among my first interviews of the year.

Orange Alert (OA): From the title of your new collection a reader might think it tries to encompass a great deal and in a way it does. How would you describe the scope and themes of Everything is Everything?
Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz (CA): Wow, what a challenging question... I'm sure that there is likely a better response to this question out there, but I'm going to just say the first thing that comes into my head...

It mixture of patience and dedication that may just allow the hopes and ambitions of Louis E. Bourgeois to be realized in 2010. He has been involved in the literary landscape for many years as both a writer and editor and is primarily known for his work with Vox Journal and press. However, this year he is poised to do quite a few things. First, he will release what stands to be a controversial collection if placed in the right hands. Then he will begin to elevate Vox Press to a new level through the release of some new titles, and possibly see another of his own books published. It is going to be a big year, but one question I failed to ask him in our interview was why now?

I believe that, like many folks out there, Louis is already feeling like this year is a year of realization and accomplishment. I happy to launch a another year of interviews with him, and hope that we have at least made you curious about his new collection Hosanna due this year from Xenos Books. If not, here is one of my favorite lines from Hosanna, and it is taken from the section titled "Notes on The Revolution".

Whether it is his press, his literary journal, his writing, or through his other creative endeavors, Mike Young is always involved with something. It's ambition, it's talent, it's the ability to constantly be connected, and as he gets more involved the possibilities become more plentiful. He's had a great 2009, but I have a feeling that he has some big plans for 2010.

Recently, Mike Young was kind enough to answer a few of my questions.

Orange Alert (OA): Next year We Are All Good If They Try Hard Enough will be published by Publishing Genius. What can you tell us about your book and what has it been like working with Publishing Genius?

People hold back pieces of information all the time and for a variety of reasons, and for xTx the reason is protection. I've met several writers who have not felt uncomfortable having some of their work published or discussed because of their role in teaching or in the business world. I must admit when I first came across the work of xTx I was a little scared or maybe intimidated, and a certain amount of anonymity may not be a bad thing. She has this uninhibited nature about her work that I suppose can be attributed to her pen name. It seems to allow to her to says exactly what is on her mind, and in turn cut straight to the heart of each topic she attacks.

xTx released her debut collection Nobody Trusts a Black Magician earlier this year, and currently blogs at Nothing To Say. Recently, she was kind enough to answer a few of my questions.

Orange Alert (OA): Do you feel writer's are using the internet to do more than just promote their work? Do you feel you would be able to create the personna you have without the internet?

I don't know what it says about me or my life right now, but lately I've been drawn in by stories that focus on the singular thought of the narrator. A single story, a mainline of thought, something that you can align your thought pattern with and really get sucked into. Something that will transform you into someone or something else for a hundred pages or so, a momentary lapse in time. When J.A. Tyler sent me the new novella from Molly Gaudry was excited by the title alone, We Take Me Apart. I had no idea what an introspective adventure was in front of me, and I enjoyed every minute as I explored this new life.