Rachelle Toarmino, author of That Ex, discusses challenges in creating a venture and finding motivation. They talk about their love for poetry, discover Metatron, and discuss balancing fun and seriousness in their writing. They share admiration for Lucy K Shaw, discuss friendship with Sarah Jean, and collaboration with creative individuals. They explore expertise in history and small press publishing, the challenges of book promotion, and creating a genre. They mention upcoming events and workshops related to poetry.
The podcast discusses the influence of microcommunities in the small press poetry scene and the creativity and collaboration they foster.
The host reflects on the challenges of balancing the writing process with the promotion and marketing aspects of publishing.
The episode explores the importance of adaptability in the publishing industry and the need for creativity and willingness to experiment to navigate the changing landscape effectively.
Deep dives
Patterson by William Carlos Williams
I am currently reading Patterson by William Carlos Williams, a book that explores the impact of newspapers on the way people think and the arrangement of news. It is an early example of docu-poetry, which incorporates found text, archival research, and other media materials. The book engages with the city of Patterson, New Jersey, where Williams grew up, and documents the process of writing itself. It is an epic-like work that mixes various forms, offering a unique exploration of place and the power of language.
Exploring Microcommunities in Small Press Poetry
I'm interested in the evolution of American poetics and the influence of microcommunities in the small press poetry scene. These communities, formed around presses, journals, newsletters, and reading series, often bring together like-minded writers and foster creativity and collaboration. I find inspiration from the diverse voices and perspectives within these communities, as well as the sense of community and support they provide.
Moving on from Previous Works
As a writer, I have experienced the evolution of my own work and the changing relationship I have with past projects. While I am proud of my first book, I have found that as time goes on, I have moved on from that phase in my writing and no longer feel as connected to the poems. This is a natural part of growth and maturity as a writer, and I believe it allows for new ideas and experiments in my current work.
Balancing Writing and Promotion
As a writer, I have found that balancing the writing process with the promotion and marketing aspects of publishing can be challenging. While I enjoy performing readings and engaging with readers, I have also realized that the marketing side of publishing can be time-consuming and exhausting. As I focus more on my writing, I have become less concerned with charming readers and more interested in taking risks and exploring new ideas in my poetry.
Reevaluating Peach Mag's Future
The podcast episode discusses the future of Peach Mag, a literary magazine. The host contemplates the direction of the magazine and shares their thoughts on the current state of Peach Mag. They express their desire to explore different publishing formats that are less reliant on social media and highlight the changing landscape of social media platforms. The host reflects on the challenges of reaching an audience and the disappointment of low engagement on social media. They also mention their interest in physical publications and the potential for alternative ways of sharing content.
The Need for Flexibility in Publishing
The podcast episode explores the host's reflections on the publishing industry and the importance of adaptability. They discuss the challenges of maintaining a social media presence, particularly due to algorithm changes and the pay-to-play nature of platforms. The host expresses their desire to explore different options and formats for publishing, including physical publications and offline interactions. They share their frustrations with social media and the changing landscape of online communication. The host emphasizes the need for creativity and a willingness to experiment in order to navigate the evolving publishing landscape effectively.
From her site : Rachelle Toarmino is the author of the poetry collection That Ex. She's been in American Poetry Review, Bennington Review, Electric Literature, Iterant, Literary Hub, Poetry Daily, Salt Hill Journal, The Slowdown, and elsewhere. She earned her MFA in poetry at UMass Amherst, where she received an Academy of American Poets Prize."
Rachelle is the founding editor in chief of Peach Mag, an independent literary publishing project with an online journal, print anthologies, and live and virtual events
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