Now You Know...

…why I don’t charge people to read this substack. It has been, I think, two months since there was an update. And I’d like to be able to say more than just “look at me” in these things. Having nothing to say is a problem for subscribers.

But I do have news, and in sharing it the intention isn’t so much “look at me” as it is “please support these publications that feature the non-mainstream writers and artists.” Without these kinds of venues most of us would never see any of our work come to the public. It’s a constant problem. Smaller zines and book publishers wage a constant battle to get their word out, and subsequently get the “other” writers an outlet. And if we just congratulate them and go our merry way we are actually part of the reason so many small litmags have closed shop, especially in the last few years.

I have a “poetry machine” in the dada issue of Exacting Clam #19. It requires that you actually have a copy of the issue in your hands and are in possession of two dice. If you are missing one of these components you can’t participate. The piece presents several sections of partial lines of poetry numbered either 2 through 12 or 1 through 6. You throw the appropriate amount of dice for each section, write down the corresponding line of poem listed beside the number, continue down to the last list, and - voila - you have a poem all your own.

I’ve had something like this before on the substack but this one is better, longer, and more something something.

Also included in this issue are a couple of old associates from back in the day; Richard Kostelanetz and Jim Meirose. So I am asking you once again, goddamnit, please support the small independent press. Yeah?

In my own news I have submitted my latest long form to 28 publishers and have gathered in 11 rejects and 1 “I liked the first quick read, let’s talk about this after the holidays.”

I have a list of 7 more possible publishers to submit the work to, waiting for their reading periods to open. You shouldn’t be surprised, this is how it works for minor lights (dim bulbs?) like myself. I proudly remain absolute King of the Slush Pile.

Have a good holiday of any nomenclature, should you celebrate same.

(Art piece above is from Hannah Höch, 1919)

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