A few questions _addressed to no one in particular_ (and one for JK).
I wonder if the finished Interactive Geographies project will be
available online, John? It would be a shame if the product of such an
interesting project were restricted to those who by means of the usual
channels were able to obtain a copy of the paper edition.
Thinking about poetry publishing generally:
Does online publishing devalue poetry in some way? It seems odd to me
that poetry is so often published on paper whether it be special quality
loose leaf irregular size magic paper in a fluorescent plastic binder or
a small inky photocopied magazine with a dirty grainy picture of some
mould on the cover.
The means of distribution which seems to involve word of mouth, ads in
mags sold at venues, and regular trips to the post office, etc, etc,
seems designed to restrict access to the initiated. I realize that
digital "art" is problematic for many and that there are still lots of
interested parties who do not have access to email but surely the 'net is
a wonderful means of distribution of texts if, as is often claimed,
making a profit from publishing poetry is not a realistic expectation or
even a consideration?
Is it that being published on paper has more kudos attached to it? Is it
a question of online publishing (especially self publishing) being too
freely available to j. public and his/her tacky poetry.love.unrequited
etc? (I note that there are an increasing number of ezines to which
submission is by invitation only - offline mainstream style exclusivity
in the digital realm.)
Is it that in a world of hype and twisted truth we can only consider
ourselves properly published if we have passed some validation test set
by some "school" or other and there is a slim volume to prove it?
Regards to all,
Steve
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