Join Rebecca Wolff, founder of Fence the journal, as we talk about the '90s, indie structures, 'weird' and 'cool.' We discuss professionalization, idiosyncrasy, collaboration, and not being a brand. We also touch on Rebecca’s time in local government. Excitement for the next stage of Fence. Get Rebecca’s new book at Wave.
Fence Journal and Press sought out work that was unconventional and exhibited a sense of idiosyncrasy or self-determination.
Refusal and obstinacy have fueled Rebecca's editing process, allowing her to reject norms and seek out unconventional, idiosyncratic work.
The personal approach and refusal to conform to corporate structures make Fence's emails unique and engaging.
Deep dives
The Role of 'Weird' in Fence's Editorial Process
Rebecca Wolf, the founder of Fence, explains that 'weird' was always a guiding principle for the journal and press. Rather than adhering to mainstream or experimental traditions, Fence sought out work that was neither and exhibited a sense of idiosyncrasy or self-determination. As the editorial process expanded to include more editors, the definition of 'weird' became more nuanced, shaped by the diverse tastes and attachments of the team. The goal was to publish work that felt different from what was commonly seen, whether it be in aesthetic or social aspects. Rebecca also addresses the challenges of navigating a changing literary landscape and the unintended consequences of certain reforms. She touches on the rise of social media and its impact on creative writing communities, particularly in regards to branding, visibility, and the distortion of original intentions. While the emails sent by Fence, which are personal, unbranded, and often humorous, have resonated with readers, Rebecca highlights the juxtaposition of personal and political, and the difficulty in establishing a public image that aligns with one's artistic values.
The Power of Refusal and Obstinance in Editing
Refusal and obstinacy have always played a role in Rebecca's approach to editing. She describes herself as a reformer, driven to fix what was dysfunctional within the literary magazine and publishing industry. While Fence made significant strides in addressing certain issues, such as accessibility and diversity, there were unintended consequences that arose from attempts to professionalize the field. Rebecca also addresses the limitations of social media, how it prioritizes social interaction over the actual work, and how it can undermine the dismantling of traditional power structures. Despite these frustrations, refusal and obstinacy continue to fuel Rebecca's editing process, allowing her to reject norms and seek out work that is unconventional, idiosyncratic, and weird.
The Personal and Political Intersection in Fence and Writing
The emails sent by Fence have become an important communication tool for the journal and press. Despite initially unintentional, these emails reflect Rebecca's natural inclination to explore personal experiences and observations in her writing and editing. While some may view them as a brand, Rebecca emphasizes that she simply struggles to talk about things without injecting her own experiences and perspective. This personal approach, coupled with the refusal to conform to corporate structures or sentimentalism, makes Fence's emails unique and engaging. Rebecca also discusses how neoliberalism and hyper-individualism have shaped the creative writing world, often interfering with the editorial process and hindering the formation of a functional public sphere. However, she remains committed to reform and finding ways to dismantle existing paradigms.
The Changing Model of Small Press Publishing and the Importance of Collaboration
The podcast episode discusses the evolution of small press publishing and the shift away from the labor of love model. The speaker highlights the changing consciousness among younger people, emphasizing the importance of being paid for their labor. Collaboration is seen as a vital aspect of small press projects, allowing for the bouncing off of ideas, corrections, and growth. The speaker acknowledges their own difficulties with collaboration but recognizes the benefits of collaborative work, especially in the new editorial team of Fence. They also explore the role of collaboration in editing, the beauty of intervention in someone's book, and the necessity to engage with other perspectives.
Navigating Financial Realities and Ethical Considerations in Small Press Publishing
The episode delves into the financial aspects of small press publishing and the challenges of funding and running a press. The speaker reflects on the changing landscape of grants and the philanthropy world, acknowledging the need to engage with the donor community. They express a concern with the slim profit margins of books and the limited access to the wider market. The speaker also reflects on the ethics of accepting funding from certain sources, raising questions about the material realities and compromises of publishing and the choices they have made for Fence.
Join us for an hour-plus with Rebecca Wolff, founder and long-time editor of Fence the journal as well as Fence Books (disclosure: Hilary is a Fence author, we’ll get into it). We talk about the promise and problems of the ‘90s, “indie” structures and dreams, and the elusive concepts of “weird” and “cool.” Also discussed: professionalization, idiosyncrasy, money, obstinacy, being a “public art person,” writing emails, collaboration, and not being a brand (but what if that’s your brand).
We talk about how Fence has recently transitioned to new leadership under Emily Wallis Hughes, Jason Zuzga, and other great editors—congrats! Sharing our excitement for the next stage of Fence. We also briefly touch on Rebecca’s time in local government in Hudson, NY.
Find Rebecca’s new book of poems Slight Return over at Wave. And recently out from Fence Books: Harmony Holiday’s Maafa & Kenneth Reveiz’s Mopes.
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