Why Start My Own (Yet Another) Press?
2007 seems like the year to take charge—of my writing, my publishing record, my whatever is next career. With that in mind, I have been toying with the idea of starting a press. On-line with possibly a limited number of print editions, perhaps maybe an annual anthology, hey why not even a contest? I know, I know. So many writers, so few readers, so little time. But that doesn't stop the others so why should it stop me? So why do this? What motivates me?
1. I'd like to work as an editor, a critic, a reviewer, a selector, and a publisher. I know I am good at this kind of work. But it seems like those jobs are impossible to compete for and get. Why not create my own opportunity with a press?
2. I am continually disgusted with the "it's who you know" aspect of literary publishing in the US of A. Create my own/yet another press to give the middle finger to that?
3. I am a good judge of quality so why not put that skill to use.
4. I have a decent design eye, too, and with the help of a web designer friend like C. we could create a beautiful web site and print product.
5. I need to be busier above and beyond simply sitting here, isolated and writing.
6. The web/internet is all about writing and publishing, is a good place to build and sustain a virtual reading and writing community.
7. It doesn't have to be only about the literary; we can showcase our other interests and obsessions as well.
8. And hey, I can publish my own work once it's (most likely) rejected from the dozen contests I entered the poetry in this past year.
