Alternative Values in Small Press Culture from AD Jameson
Wonderfully lucid and idea-rich post by AD Jameson at Big Other: Alternative Values in Small Press Culture. This is one for bookmarking. Jameson looks at three values that small press culture inherits somewhat lazily, Jameson claims, from culture-at-large: celebrity, youth, and money. Then he says: “What values might replace these? What else could writers and presses be prioritizing, and pursuing? And what would that look like?” In answering these questions, Jameson throws out a ton of practical and exciting suggestions. Cool stuff.
Tags: ad jameson, big other
Thanks, Mike. But what’s most important is that we continue wearing costumes like the ones above.
Thanks, Mike. But what’s most important is that we continue wearing costumes like the ones above.
Mr. Jameson,
That post was seriously terrific! Especially the part about writing and health. Wellness and the body—both with regard to writing and our society in general—is something that is a big part of a few projects I’m working on, and it’s great to see others pondering about this as well. I’ve felt for a long time the need for a community akin to what you’re suggesting, but I don’t really think I’m the dude for the job. Insofar as I create a reading-community, it will probably extend from whatever teaching position I (maybe, hopefully, if I’m lucky) land in the future. If I -do- ever become a teacher, I certainly do intend to set up a Book Club kind of thing, although in addition to discussion I would want it to be a thing where everyone meets up in a quiet space for two hours and reads together, thus making the lonely activity of reading for pleasure not quite so lonely an activity, and also making it easier to carve out the time by making it a sort of social event.
I think creating strong reading-communities is important, because the increased value of writing will sort of follow naturally. I would love to see the art of serialized novels come back in some form—I know people have been experimenting w/ this, but I feel like we just need someone to hit upon the most convenient/appealing way of doing so.
I’m going to print this post out later today and copy it down into my journal. Thanks, dude!
Good looks, Mike. You’re the Mike Schmidt of recommendations, all comin’ through in the clutch when I need it most.
Favorite thing about this article is how it applies to not only literary small presses, but also to the air around it and everything else.
ha, thanks stephen! here’s visual help for those in need: a picture of mike schmidt looking like a cross between dale earnhardt and the manager of a costco
and you’re right about jameson’s article. it’s got good breathing strategies
Mr. Jameson,
That post was seriously terrific! Especially the part about writing and health. Wellness and the body—both with regard to writing and our society in general—is something that is a big part of a few projects I’m working on, and it’s great to see others pondering about this as well. I’ve felt for a long time the need for a community akin to what you’re suggesting, but I don’t really think I’m the dude for the job. Insofar as I create a reading-community, it will probably extend from whatever teaching position I (maybe, hopefully, if I’m lucky) land in the future. If I -do- ever become a teacher, I certainly do intend to set up a Book Club kind of thing, although in addition to discussion I would want it to be a thing where everyone meets up in a quiet space for two hours and reads together, thus making the lonely activity of reading for pleasure not quite so lonely an activity, and also making it easier to carve out the time by making it a sort of social event.
I think creating strong reading-communities is important, because the increased value of writing will sort of follow naturally. I would love to see the art of serialized novels come back in some form—I know people have been experimenting w/ this, but I feel like we just need someone to hit upon the most convenient/appealing way of doing so.
I’m going to print this post out later today and copy it down into my journal. Thanks, dude!
Good looks, Mike. You’re the Mike Schmidt of recommendations, all comin’ through in the clutch when I need it most.
Favorite thing about this article is how it applies to not only literary small presses, but also to the air around it and everything else.
ha, thanks stephen! here’s visual help for those in need: a picture of mike schmidt looking like a cross between dale earnhardt and the manager of a costco
and you’re right about jameson’s article. it’s got good breathing strategies
Does anyone here know and/or remember Book Your Own Fucking Life?
I immediately thought of that when AD was discussing a database of bookstores/reading groups/reading series to enable writers to pimp their wares and book reading tours.
Looks life byofl still exists actually. What would it take to create something like this for bookstores and reading venues.
I effing love AD Jameson. He made me quesadillas last week.
Does anyone here know and/or remember Book Your Own Fucking Life?
I immediately thought of that when AD was discussing a database of bookstores/reading groups/reading series to enable writers to pimp their wares and book reading tours.
Looks life byofl still exists actually. What would it take to create something like this for bookstores and reading venues.
I effing love AD Jameson. He made me quesadillas last week.