Sorry you didn’t get the latest funding — it feels like exhausting times at the moment in the arts and in everything. Thank you though Wendy — Spelt is an important magazine.
sent link to this by Martin Malone who had a poetry magazine (paper) that existed because of digital back end (I helped keep it going) and as is the price of progress now exists only as digital online. (Interpreters House).
I agree totally with your comments above although I have seen a lot of poor quality work riding on the coat-tails of the 'so-called' working class writing revolution which more a Bookseller PR stunt than actuality.
The print medium died the day Oxford University Press tipped its lead type into the Thames (there is an eco-poem if ever there was one perhaps I should write it).
It ended in early 1990s when a press I represented by actually hand set a poem of mine (I will find and share on my blog) in lead type. They had one of the last machines for setting type and a man came to mend it He was the last of the generation that had knowledge to mend them.
A decade later I helped Oxford University convert ALL paper based Science publishing acquisition to computers and then a whole College's library. Digital hit hard around the Millennium and since then a younger generation have developed entirely new habits of consumption, dissemination and interaction. Paper unless sold as anachronistic fetish object ( works for Vinyl records) is to all intents and purpose dead as a piece of type in muddy water.
So forgetting the argument that internet is green (it is not the servers and electric generation to fuel it alone cost a few rain forests). Where do we go now? Substack a good choice. I suggest you read the Jazz critic Ted Goia (brother of poet Dana Goia) he very cutting edge on where we are now and it isn't good news.
Your magazine looks great but it also looks like something I would have shelved at Poetry Library in 1990 (I been around that long). As for getting your messages across I returned to 'the poetry world' or rather the blizzard of new 'worlds' each tightly regimented and screened online (or paper) come to that. Not because nepotistic but simply because the numbers now are frightening like music anybody with a phone and half a brain can be a poet if they want to (before AI made it even easier to simulate poetry) .
I grew up in an era of clearly defined gatekeepers ( Faber, Cape, Bloodaxe etc) which on the whole male dominated yes but because numbers far lower and generally standards higher it was easier to at least work out one's place in the (singular) poetry world. Post world-wide web that no longer possible one has to find a nest that suits and defend your interests whatever your politics from that lonely tower as global capitalism basically runs riot below.
As a white (working class whatever that means these days and frankly in some cases not much) male aged 65 trying to re-enter the worlds (plural) I on a hiding to nothing and add fact that I been writing about the environment for nigh on 40 years it appears I am now almost unpublishable going by feedback I had so far. The reasons for that are generational (ageism) political (sexism) and demographic as I do not read or wish to engage with certain class ridden circles or even some younger circles of interest any more than they do me.
So Substack is a potential rabbit hole to another wonderland.
It does work but if you enter this domain be prepared to post daily to make it work and engage followers and also to engage directly with thorny issues of political activism if talking Green we are no longer in village fete friends of earth stage we are in defined as eco-terrorism (pace Edward Abbey) territory now. Truly engage and it may be that Spelt finds a new niche.. paper is not dead its just not printed on any more..
Out of frustration I took a new tack towards ECO and Poetry on my substack is a long job but it seems to engage people far more than straight poetry offering. You may find of interest.
Oh and a lot self-published because I an early adopter and specialist in multimedia.
I find the fetishism apparent in the 'self-publishing' wrong attitude symptomatic of those who should know better slamming the stable door shut after the horse not only bolted but also shot dead.....
It generally white middle class that promulgate that attitude of 'I don't want my poems online' because they dream of standing in a bookshop with that object in their hand feeling pleased with themselves along with the other 5000 recently cheaply published (thanks to digitisation of the production line) authors feeling the same ..
It is complete nonsense.
I look forward to the podcast.....they are hard work....I ran a music one for a year.
I’m really glad you’ve told us about Spelt and the difficulties. You certainly don’t sound defeatist and any anger is good anger. I agree with the ambition to truly represent rural life in all its sadness and glory. I’ve seen both sides too. X
Sorry you didn’t get the latest funding — it feels like exhausting times at the moment in the arts and in everything. Thank you though Wendy — Spelt is an important magazine.
Thank you. I love the magazine and will support it as best I can. Very well done, my inspiring friend. Xx
Thank you Wendy
sent link to this by Martin Malone who had a poetry magazine (paper) that existed because of digital back end (I helped keep it going) and as is the price of progress now exists only as digital online. (Interpreters House).
I agree totally with your comments above although I have seen a lot of poor quality work riding on the coat-tails of the 'so-called' working class writing revolution which more a Bookseller PR stunt than actuality.
The print medium died the day Oxford University Press tipped its lead type into the Thames (there is an eco-poem if ever there was one perhaps I should write it).
It ended in early 1990s when a press I represented by actually hand set a poem of mine (I will find and share on my blog) in lead type. They had one of the last machines for setting type and a man came to mend it He was the last of the generation that had knowledge to mend them.
A decade later I helped Oxford University convert ALL paper based Science publishing acquisition to computers and then a whole College's library. Digital hit hard around the Millennium and since then a younger generation have developed entirely new habits of consumption, dissemination and interaction. Paper unless sold as anachronistic fetish object ( works for Vinyl records) is to all intents and purpose dead as a piece of type in muddy water.
So forgetting the argument that internet is green (it is not the servers and electric generation to fuel it alone cost a few rain forests). Where do we go now? Substack a good choice. I suggest you read the Jazz critic Ted Goia (brother of poet Dana Goia) he very cutting edge on where we are now and it isn't good news.
Your magazine looks great but it also looks like something I would have shelved at Poetry Library in 1990 (I been around that long). As for getting your messages across I returned to 'the poetry world' or rather the blizzard of new 'worlds' each tightly regimented and screened online (or paper) come to that. Not because nepotistic but simply because the numbers now are frightening like music anybody with a phone and half a brain can be a poet if they want to (before AI made it even easier to simulate poetry) .
I grew up in an era of clearly defined gatekeepers ( Faber, Cape, Bloodaxe etc) which on the whole male dominated yes but because numbers far lower and generally standards higher it was easier to at least work out one's place in the (singular) poetry world. Post world-wide web that no longer possible one has to find a nest that suits and defend your interests whatever your politics from that lonely tower as global capitalism basically runs riot below.
As a white (working class whatever that means these days and frankly in some cases not much) male aged 65 trying to re-enter the worlds (plural) I on a hiding to nothing and add fact that I been writing about the environment for nigh on 40 years it appears I am now almost unpublishable going by feedback I had so far. The reasons for that are generational (ageism) political (sexism) and demographic as I do not read or wish to engage with certain class ridden circles or even some younger circles of interest any more than they do me.
So Substack is a potential rabbit hole to another wonderland.
It does work but if you enter this domain be prepared to post daily to make it work and engage followers and also to engage directly with thorny issues of political activism if talking Green we are no longer in village fete friends of earth stage we are in defined as eco-terrorism (pace Edward Abbey) territory now. Truly engage and it may be that Spelt finds a new niche.. paper is not dead its just not printed on any more..
Out of frustration I took a new tack towards ECO and Poetry on my substack is a long job but it seems to engage people far more than straight poetry offering. You may find of interest.
We are in for stormy weather
https://darkweather.substack.com/
My old style words on a screen and very occasionally a page although less so in the last 20 years than before.
https://shaunbelcher.com/writing/
Oh and a lot self-published because I an early adopter and specialist in multimedia.
I find the fetishism apparent in the 'self-publishing' wrong attitude symptomatic of those who should know better slamming the stable door shut after the horse not only bolted but also shot dead.....
It generally white middle class that promulgate that attitude of 'I don't want my poems online' because they dream of standing in a bookshop with that object in their hand feeling pleased with themselves along with the other 5000 recently cheaply published (thanks to digitisation of the production line) authors feeling the same ..
It is complete nonsense.
I look forward to the podcast.....they are hard work....I ran a music one for a year.
all the best
Eco Rantist and former artist
Shaun Belcher
Thanks for sharing the struggles which you and other editors are enduring. I too live in a rural area with all it's glories and setbacks.
Good post, Wendy. Thanks for telling us more about your work with Spelt and the new podcast x
Good to hear this. I’ve been wondering. Wishing you and Spelt the best wishes,love and continuing support.
I’m really glad you’ve told us about Spelt and the difficulties. You certainly don’t sound defeatist and any anger is good anger. I agree with the ambition to truly represent rural life in all its sadness and glory. I’ve seen both sides too. X