Hey all! You might want to keep an eye on our blog in the upcoming weeks — in addition to our writings about various projects & new releases, you can expect a bi-weekly foray into Chicago’s vast selection of library archives (microfilm, bound periodicals, rare books, old news, etc.), a series of short essays on the different methods of collating the alphabet, an iPhone app available for download; plus various exaggerations, mic-droppers, flights of fancy, etc.
In the meantime, here is an image of the sky above Meekling Press, courtesy of Google Earth.
A couple months ago, we got to be a part of a gallery show on small press letterpress at Colorado College. This was very exciting for me personally, because I’m #1 fan of Aaron Cohick who runs the press at Colorado College (& NewLights Press), and also some of the other presses in the show, like Coracle, were big inspirations when starting Meekling Press… and of course, continue to be.
Photos by Briget Heidmous, courtesy of I.D.E.A. Space @ Colorado College. More documentation here.
Here are a couple of neat-looking publishing projects I’ve heard about recently. They are both taking submissions right now, so get on it!
1.
REAEDR: “A magazine of one word poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.” I am a big fan of NewLights Press, and I can’t wait to see how this magazine turns out. They’re currently taking submissions for the first two issues. Submissions for Issue One (“WAR”) are due June 5th, and for Issue Two (“FUCK EM IF THEY CANT TAKE A JOKE”) on September 1.
2.
LED (Literature Emitting Diodes): An LED display in a storefront window somewhere in Chicago, with a different poem or short prose piece every month. Sounds like a really fun project! The submission deadline is the fifth of every month.
In this session Greg Howard leads workshop on Writing-as-Collection, which will include reading from his work and strategies for writing-as-collection, with bonus exercises to complete before and during.
Gregory Howard teaches creative writing, contemporary literature, and film studies at the University of Maine. His first novel Hospice has just been released by FC2. He lives in Bangor, Maine with his wife and cats.
(& be sure to check out Dennis Cooper’s tribute to Hospice here: http://goo.gl/G5zFTe)
WRITING-AS-COLLECTION EXERCISES
~to complete before~
Part 1
Spend a part of your day or week collecting objects. For our purposes here, let’s define objects broadly–not just literal objects like things you find on the street, in your room, in a friends room, but also perceptions, memories, ideas, sentences or lines from work. Basically collect anything that fascinates you are captures your fancy.
Now make a list. Be specific in your list. The fabric of your language is important here. Don’t just write “the photograph.” Write instead: “the photograph of the vacation in which the girl, who wearing a green one-piece swimsuit with golden fish on it, looks bored while being entertained by a street magician who looks malevolent and possibly drunk.” In other words, describe your objects well.
Write a short narrative based around your list (250 words). Use the actual language of your list.
~to be done during~
Part 2
While I’m talking make a new list. What words or ideas strike you while I’m talking? What suddenly looks new or strange in the place that you are in? Look at your new list of objects. Why are they interesting? Why are they important? Who might find them fascinating? Write this story by connecting it to your previous narrative, the one you thought you had finished (surprise!), thus creating a newer longer narrative. How can you connect these two? How might they be “read together”? Try to keep the surprising and fragmentary nature of the pieced going. Don’t smooth things over. (another 100-200 words)
