Interview with Carleton
Wilson
When did you start publishing? Why did you start
publishing?
I started Junction Books in the Spring of 1999, and the
first three chapbooks were launched in the Fall of 1999. I started the
small press for the simple fact that it seemed necessary. I quickly
realised, after fellow writers from a workshop and I began submitting to
journals, just how difficult it was to break into the established
market.
Also, it seemed to me that many of the writers I knew,
who were mostly young and in university at the time, were writing
different kinds of things that didn't seem to fit what was being published
in the journals; it was great stuff, just not what publications were open
to looking at and publishing. so I decided I'd start my own small press to
publish chapbooks and help out those beginning writers whose writing I
really enjoyed and thought was good.
Briefly describe the type of work you publish.
Junction Books publishes what we consider 'literature',
though who knows, that might be a loaded term these days. Anyway, yeah,
literature, meaning poetry, short fiction, short plays, that kind of
thing. It has to have some kind of intelligence to it, either an
intelligence of form or content, though hopefully both these things are
present in each book. Basically, we publish what we consider good writing,
though that's kind of a dumb answer because I'm sure that's what every
publisher feels they publish. Anyhow, yeah.
Do you accept unsolicited submissions? How do you
decide what to publish?
No, Junction Books does not accept unsolicited
submissions. This may change at some time in the future though. Presently,
I've only published writers whose work I already know, either through
workshops or hearing them at readings.
This has worked well so far seeing as I have always
known more writers with good work worthy of publishing than I can publish
at any given time. Even with all of the chapbook publishers that have
seemed to pop up over the last few years, I still think there are room for
more.
How many chapbooks have you published? (both number
of books & volume of books)
Since the Fall of 1999 I've published 19 chapbooks.
Generally the chapbooks have had print runs of between 125 and 150 copies,
out of which, 50 copies are given to the writer as payment. But I'm having
a difficult time continuing at that pace so the print runs are going down
to 75 copies, 40 of which the author will get to keep.
Any advice for people thinking of starting a small
press?
My only advice would just be to do it. It takes a lot of
time and energy and doesn't pay at all, in fact it'll cost you. But if
you're thinking of starting a small press, that says to me you love books,
you love writing, it says that these things are necessary for you. If
that's the case then there's nothing better than creating a book for
someone. It makes you happy, it makes them happy, and it's just plain fun.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Additional comments?
Junction Books will soon be venturing into the big
waters of perfect bound, full book publishing; the first title will be out
in the Fall of 2002. Please watch for it and come out and support us,
because we won't make it without you! But don't worry, the chapbook
publishing will still continue. :)
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Junction Books