Nico DeBluis, co-founder of Archway Editions, and Chris Molnock, editorial director and co-founder of The Writer's Block in Las Vegas, share their insights on independent publishing. They discuss the freedoms and challenges of running a small press, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and community. Topics include the potential for an Archway bookstore as a local hub, the influence of corporate structures on creativity, and the necessity for personal connections in literature. Their passion for fostering genuine relationships shines through, making the conversation truly inspiring.
Archway Editions was founded on the desire for creative independence, allowing them to produce unique literary works outside mainstream norms.
The partnership with Powerhouse Books provides Archway Editions with essential resources while enabling them to maintain control over their editorial decisions.
Their commitment to cultivating personal connections with authors fosters authentic collaborations, enriching both the publishing process and literary community.
Deep dives
Origins of Archway Editions
Archway Editions was founded in 2019 by Chris Molnock and Nicodemus DeBluis, who sought to create a small publishing imprint with autonomy in their creative decisions. The inspiration came after attending an Ishmael Reed play, where they noticed a lack of audience engagement, prompting them to consider publishing books that express their literary interests. Despite their limited experience in publishing, having only worked in bookstores prior, they approached Daniel Power, the founder of Powerhouse Books, who supported their vision. Their initial goal focused on producing small-run, low-overhead literary works with a unique creative flair, separate from mainstream publishing norms.
Creative Independence
Archway Editions operates under a creative partnership with Powerhouse Books, which provides distribution without imposing editorial restrictions. This arrangement allows the team at Archway to maintain control over their publishing decisions, fostering an environment where they feel empowered to select and produce works that resonate with their vision. Daniel Power, the founder of Powerhouse, serves as a mentor rather than a managing supervisor, granting the team the freedom they desire. This symbiotic relationship helps Archway thrive while benefiting from Powerhouse's established resources, particularly in printing and distribution.
Navigating Publishing Challenges
The hosts discuss the hurdles they faced when initially diving into the publishing industry, particularly with the technicalities of book printing and production. During their first endeavors, they learned essential skills about navigating the intricate processes involved, such as selecting printers and managing timelines. Their experiences were compounded by challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected logistics and timing for printing their debut titles. This journey shaped their understanding of the industry, leading to better preparation and confidence in managing subsequent projects.
Books and Authors with Impact
One memorable aspect of Archway’s approach is the personal connection they cultivate with their authors, often collaborating with individuals whose works resonate with their vision. The team discusses the organic process of acquiring manuscripts, mentioning specific authors they’ve reached out to, while emphasizing that many collaborations have arisen from informal interactions or friendships. For instance, they highlight working with authors like Erin Taylor, who initially communicated via social media and produced compelling content. This rapport not only nurtures creative partnerships but also enriches the publishing experience for both parties.
Future Aspirations and Growth
Looking ahead, the team at Archway Editions expresses satisfaction with their current scale, favoring a model that prioritizes quality over quantity. While some industry pressures might suggest the need to expand, they value the intimate, volunteer-driven nature of their operations and seek to maintain their distinct identity amidst larger corporate publishers. They believe that growth should occur organically and that their focus should remain on producing significant literary works that resonate with readers. The discussion reflects a commitment to remaining true to their artistic vision while exploring ways to enhance their visibility within the literary community.
Nico, Chris, and Naomi from Archway Editions joined me on this episode.
Shout out to their publicist Mia for setting this all up. It was all her idea. Archway Editions has published the most notable and noteworthy authors like Erin Taylor and Blake Butler Are these cats a bunch of corporate drones punching buttons and yanking giant levers? No. They're not.
They’re kinda cool like really cool.
I used audio in the beginning of the episode from a youtube video from an archway reading they held where Chris read his work. And I also used audio from a video where Nico was working on getting onto the public radio station WBAI Public Radio
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