Notes from the Ottawa underground
Writer Matthew Firth offers an on-the-ground view of Ottawa’s alternative book publishing scene in Ottawa’s XPress. “Mercutio Press, Hand Maiden Press, Sorrowland Press might not roll as freely off the tongue as HarperCollins but they’re viable enterprises all the same. From the perspective of the new and emerging writer, micro presses are the door to the publishing universe. A lot of writers would never see their work in print — blurry ink or otherwise — if not for micro presses.” Firth also touches base with poet Rob McLennan, proprietor of above/ground press. “He spits out 50 to 60 items a year, ranging from single-poem broadsheets, to multi-author chapbooks. McLennan uses a system where $30 gets subscribers a copy of everything he publishes in a calendar year. He likes the ‘inexpensive and immediate’ feel of micro presses although he acknowledges some folks dismiss chapbooks because of their perceived substandard look.” (Thanks to Bookninja.com for the link.)
Related links:
Click here for Matthew Firth’s story on Ottawa micro-presses
