That's funny, Randolph, as well as being solid good advice. You were, of
course, in my thoughts (!) when I wrote my post (English is looking
stranger and stranger to me!).
Airhead
On Tue, 20 Feb 2001, T. R. Healy and L. MacMahon wrote:
> Just to second Mairead's suggestion. While you may be excluded from
> competitions etc by self-publishing, not being published at all hardly
> improves one's chances. Maybe the snootier mags don't review self-published
> work, but that's their loss. I can think of plenty of mags that wouldn't
> have a problem.
>
> Also, starting a small press doesn't preclude the work being published later
> by a larger press which might not otherwise have had the opportunity to make
> contact with the stuff. Though I have found that even publishing something
> in an edition of 50 deprives it of savour to certain mag editors who only
> want "new" stuff. (I find it hard not to see this as a kind of consumerism,
> avarice even, but there you are)
>
> One thing though, I'd recommend the desktop route rather than the print
> shop, for starters anyway. Why have 200 copies making your wardrobe creak,
> esp. with sections of a long work that might go through all sorts of changes
> and thus have quite a short half life.
>
> One is also in a position to lend a hand with the vast amount of excellent
> poetry out there that's not being published either.
>
> If anyone's interested in starting a press and doesn't want to use staples
> or spiral binding, I've written a small pamphlet which explains how to sew a
> booklet. Lotsa pictures.
>
> best
>
> Randolph Healy
>
> PS my spellchecker wants to change Mairead to airhead. I'm getting rid of it
> forthwith.
> PPS Mairead, if you do start a press any chance of working BeeGee into the
> title (Byrne/Gudding)? The Heeby BeeGees maybe?
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mairead Byrne" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2001 2:42 PM
> Subject: Re: self-publication
>
>
> > All of what you say is true but self-publication has a long and valuable
> > tradition; it also allows you to move forward in your work; and make your
> > own audience. I was advised against self-publication long ago when I was
> > young and frustrated. It was bad advice. I never had a lifestyle that
> > allowed me entry into the culture or society of poetry. I am also
> > indebted to publishers who still eat and drink initiative. Anyway, the
> > most important thing is (and others know a lot more about it than I do)
> > is that self-publication allows you to get the work out to a few at
> > least, and to move on.
> > Mairead
> >
> > On Tue, 20 Feb 2001, ALI ALIZADEH wrote:
> >
> > > >I would strongly advise you to publish your work yourself. I'm sorry I
> > > didn't do this long ago.
> > >
> > > It's looking more like that by the minute. I suppose I'll be running the
> risk of
> > > being snobbed by journals and papers as far as having it reviewed goes,
> and by self-
> > > publishing I'll be excluded from entering competitions, festivals and
> having my book
> > > in most bookshops. But all of that is better than not being published
> whatsoever. I
> > > really appriciate your advice.
> > >
> > > Ali
> > >
> >
> >
>
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