Uttering Poetry: Small-Press Publication

Abstract

The work of the poets in this collection is usually published in the first instance through the restricted circulation of ‘small presses’. Reviewing some aspects of this activity may help to define the kinds of poetry which are the focus of the other essays here. A small press is one, or rarely more than two individuals who, usually in their spare time and at their own expense, write or edit poetry, print and bind it more or less competently, and circulate it, almost invariably at a loss, or at best only barely covering their costs. The presses may publish collections by individual writers, or occasional ‘little magazines’ which act as a focus for writing from a range of contributors; the most effective presses do both, using the journal to elicit work for collections. The only opulence which small presses and magazines traditionally allow themselves is their name: Curiously Strong, Spectacular Diseases, Joe Soap’s Canoe, Aggie Weston’s, Open Township, Nothing Doing in London, Ship of Fools, Blacksuede Boot, constant red/mingled damask, are fine examples from the many. Print-runs for small-press editions are generally from two hundred to five hundred copies, and these are usually distributed by the publisher direct to readers, with often a fair proportion of the edition or magazine remaining behind in the attic/cellar.