Talking, as I was last week, of enthusiasm - those individuals who set up and run small poetry presses must have the enthusiasm and stamina of an Olympic marathon runner.
Ten days ago I attended Free Verse, the poetry book fair in London; an event which brought together over fifty small presses and publishers. After a happy day of browsing, I came away with a bag full of books, pamphlets and flyers. For the last ten days I’ve been sifting through the haul.
Among the smaller imprints that stand out is HappenStance. Founded by poet Helena Nelson seven years ago and based in Scotland, the venture is dedicated to the publication of pamphlets.
HappenStance publications have a satisfying minimalism:
creamy paper, with thoughtful and often a witty graphics on the cover. They are
a wonderfully uncluttered way to sample 20 + poems by an individual whose work
you might not have come across.
It’s not surprising that in 2010 HappenStance won the Michael Marks Publishers' Award. As well as the quality of the poetry, and the production, another thing that makes this enterprise stand out is it that, uniquely, it offers a subscription.
For £7.50 a year you get, among other things, a free pamphlet of your choice plus a chapter of the HappenStance story – invaluable insight into this kind of publishing. It seems that Helena Nelson, though she doesn't run a competition as other pamphlet publshers do, is a careful reader of submissions. For more on subscriptions and submissions visit the HappenStance website.
Other presses that caught my eye include: Templar, Cinnamon, Like This Press, Stairwell Books, Valley Press and Pighog Press. Pighog has just launched, in conjunction with The Poetry School, a new pamphlet competition. Details here.
It was happenstance that I was able to make it to the book fair - I was to have been out of London that Saturday but things changed. If you weren’t able to attend Free Verse, the website is still live with a useful list of all the presses who had stalls that day with links to their websites. With just a click or two you’ll find access to some of the best poetry publishing enthusiasts.
Great article.
Posted by: Leon | 06 March 2013 at 08:49 AM
The day at the fair was wonderful - to see in one place all those determined ventures. I think the HappenStance idea of subscription is such a good idea, it creates a community of readers and writers. Refreshing to see so much thriving away from the 'Fifty Shades' end of things. That said, I'm sure it's jolly hard work!
Posted by: Pam Johnson | 19 September 2012 at 11:25 AM
That's a really enticing account. I'd have felt overwhelmed, myself, in that sea of presses and poets but you've taken your readers by the hand and led them to some treats. I'd no idea that any outfit like HappenStance existed or indeed could survive. My eyes are opened.
Posted by: Mary Hamer | 19 September 2012 at 08:48 AM