Hi All
To Mairead: do you think the list has been disparaging? To me it looks like
subjecting Astley's opinions (forcefully expressed on a public platform) to
a rational critique.
You're right that Bloodaxe has done a lot to make some good poetry
available, and that there may be something to be said for trying to promote
poetry which has the potential to be popular. But at the same time, Astley
has a propensity to lash out at anyone who disagrees with his view of what
constitutes 'popular' poetry, or, in other words, who don't believe that
poetry has to be made easy for people, or that it has to address things with
which they are already familiar.
cheers
Alan
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>From: mairead byrne <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: mairead byrne <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Books and Bacon?
>Date: Sun, 3 Apr 2005 23:21:12 -0400
>
>On Apr 3, 2005 2:22 PM, mallin1 <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > I think this List, the array of independent poetry publishers, the
>poets, a
> > new way of getting to readers/listeners, our interactions - all these
>things
> > and more - are very important. What do you think?
> >
>I think this too, Rupert. But I just can't see Neil Astley as the
>enemy. He's absolutely tireless in his own way and Bloodaxe was a big
>hope for me when my manuscript was (literally) getting trodden on in
>Ireland. Bloodaxe didn't take it but
>I remember being cheered by the long (rejection) letter Neil sent:
>unique in my experience (of rejection, which is extensive). A lot
>better than footprints I can tell you. I don't like to hear him being
>disparaged here. I read the speech and know the limits of expression.
> As an ardent populizer (popularizer? popularazor?
>Peepul-you-azure???? What the ....) myself, I agree with some of his
>points.
>
>I don't know the scene on the ground there, I apologize for that. I
>know Bloodaxe led me out a little from Ireland. It was just great to
>grasp for sure that there was poetry publication life beyond Irish
>shores.
>
>Mairead
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