Episode 9: Joyelle McSweeney & Johannes Göransson - “Keeping Things Lit”
Aug 18, 2023
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Join Joyelle McSweeney and Johannes Göransson, founders of Action Books, as they discuss the avant-garde, transgressive lit, translation as collaboration, and being publishers in red states. They explore the political aspect of envisioning the future and the impact of living in red and blue states. The podcast also covers the concept of necropastoral, the influence of environment on aesthetics, and the complexities of small presses and collaborations.
Action Books challenges the notion of separate categories for translated literature, creating a space for US and foreign works to coexist and engage with each other.
Confrontation and provocation are integral to Action Books' mission, using literature to express alternative communities and sensibilities.
Action Books embraces the digital landscape as a platform for expanding discussions and introducing diverse perspectives, aiming to push the boundaries of poetry beyond traditional confines.
Deep dives
The founding of Action Books: A response to the lack of interest in translated literature
Action Books was founded in response to the lack of interest in publishing translated works, particularly those that differed from traditional US poetry. It aimed to create a space where US and foreign literature could coexist and engage with each other, challenging the notion of a separate category for translated works. The press believed in having a specific taste or aesthetic, rather than subscribing to the idea of publishing the 'finest' or 'best' writing. They aimed to be open to flux and foreign influences, constantly evolving while remaining true to their mission.
The role of confrontation and provocation
Action Books embraced confrontation and provocation in its work, seeking poetry that went beyond the norm and pushed boundaries. This stance challenged the idea of neutrality and objectivity in literature, emphasizing that even the act of publishing was inherently political. The press aimed to be a platform for collective and revolutionary enunciation, using literature to express alternative communities and sensibilities. They believed in the power of literature to create active solidarity, even in the face of skepticism and adversity. Confrontation and provocation were seen as sources of energy and continuance, driving the press's commitment to their mission.
Navigating the digital landscape
Action Books entered the digital landscape not because it was a core intention, but because it was where conversations and discussions about their books were taking place. They started with an online journal and later launched the Montevideo blog, which aimed to expand the frameworks for discussing poetry. The press recognized that the internet provided a platform for grassroots engagement and allowed them to introduce ideas and perspectives that were not widely circulated in traditional literary circles. They viewed the internet as a space for open conversation and exploration, driven by their commitment to expanding the understanding and appreciation of poetry beyond traditional boundaries.
Exploring the Language of Space in Poetry
The podcast episode discusses the use of space as a language in poetry. The exploration of space is seen in various books, such as 'Transgressive Circulation' and 'The Deformation Zone.' The concept of the necropastoral as a political aesthetic zone is also highlighted. The conversation delves into the significance of spatial thinking in relation to the Midwestern United States, challenging the mainstream perception of the region. The idea of the provincial versus the cosmopolitan in translation and publishing is also touched upon, emphasizing the power of the radical perspective from a provincial standpoint.
Collaboration and the Dynamics of Small Presses
The podcast delves into the idea of collaboration in small press publishing. Collaboration is both idealized and seen as an imperfect process, creating a volatile space where conflicts and deformations arise. The discussion recognizes that small presses, being less beholden to established power structures, can have a certain freedom and mobility inaccessible to larger presses. The conversation also touches on the influence of translation in collaboration, opening up poems to various interpretations and perspectives. The complexity of collaboration, including navigating differing opinions and goals, is acknowledged, highlighting the unique dynamics found in small press publishing.
Join us for an inspiring session with Joyelle McSweeney and Johannes Göransson, editors and founders of Action Books—as well as poets, translators, and critics who have given us books like Toxicon & Arachne and The Necropastoral: Poetry, Media, Occults (McSweeney), Summer and Transgressive Circulation (Göransson). We talk about the storm-born origins of Action Books, its thinking of the avant-garde, poetry that “goes all the way,” the transgressiveness and provocations of small-press lit, definitely not publishing “the finest,” modernist dynamos, the volatile space of translation and how it serves as a model for collaboration. We all think together about being publishers based in the Rust Belt/in red states, and we celebrate some vital weirdness and iconic weirdos.
Writers whose names came up include Aase Berg, Kim Hyesoon, Don Mee Choi, Raúl Zurita, Blaise Cendrars, and Lara Glenum, among others—find their work at Action & beyond.
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