Thom Woodruff, poet emeritus and one of the founders of the Austin International Poetry Festival.

I’ve been attending the Austin International Poetry Festival semi-consistently for the past decade. The festival is truly a staple, a cornerstone of the Austin poetry scene. The Austin International Poetry Festival began twenty-one years ago. In fact, this year’s theme was “Lucky 21″ because, as board members remarked, this year “we were lucky” to have a festival. Still, the festival began humbly over two decades ago, has gone through changes in board members and directors, and has withstood the test of time. This year, the festival ran from April 11-14. and hosted over two hundred registered poets and dozens of lit-interested Austinites in several central locations around Austin, TX. Several poets from local to international status featured, giving readings, hosting workshops, hosting open mics, giving lectures and speaking on panels. There was something of interest for everyone interested in literature and the many facets literature can break into. The Austin International Poetry Festival, a celebration of National Poetry Month, brought maximum exposure to the citizens of Austin, invading university and college campuses, bookstores, coffee shops, music venues, libraries and theaters.

For my part, I’ve participated in the festival, volunteered for the festival, served briefly as a member of the board in 2010.This year, I was asked to host a workshop at the Austin Community College Rio Grande Campus as part of the festival’s itinerary. The workshop was about d.i.y. and self publishing as that is where Virgogray Press’ roots are. The workshop actually focused on the publication history of Virgogray Press as a sort of spine for the topic. Virgogray Press first began as a print-at-home engagement, all chapbooks from 2003-2010 were hand assembled and self-distributed. As one may or may not be able to imagine, the process, from receiving the submission, to the selection process, to the review and editorial process, to the design and formatting process and on  and on through the printing and binding was very time-consuming; a true labor of love. In 2010-2011, Virgogray began using print on demand technology for the printing and binding of its publications. Since that time, I’ve ceased the print-at-home, traditional chapbook, in favor of the “professional,” perfect bound publication.

Virgogray Press at 2013 Austin International Poetry Festival as part of a work shop on d.i.y. publishing at Austin Community College Rio Grande campus.

Because I’ve worked both avenues of D.I.Y. publishing, both self-publishing and press publishing where other poets, writers and artists are involved, I was able to present relevant information and insights into both facets. Sparing the history of chapbook publishing, I presented those in attendance with a free “classic” Virgogray chapbook, most of which are now out-of-print, to show how self-publishing, d.i.y. publishing, started as single or double sided sheets (broadsides), or books of folded paper stapled or stitched together. We spoke about what it takes to self-publish, including all the above mentioned aspects of revision/design/format, etc., but also included discussion on pricing, distribution, bar-coding, registering with the Library of Congress, marketing, promotions and royalties. I spilled the guts on Virgogray Press, sharing our business models and sharing ideas on publishing. Most participants were interested in self-publishing, but thought the idea of housing their work under their own press moniker worth venturing into. Mostly, the writers were interested in the process of publishing and the easiest ways of execution. Our discussion also included internet publishing and e-book publication, social networking and website basics. The Virgogray Press self-publishing workshop was a great experience and a nice way to share the press’ brief history. The Austin International Poetry Festival is now preparing for its 22nd year, for more information visit: http://www.aipf.org/

Virgogray Press is pleased to present the fifth issue of Nothing. No One. Nowhere. The literary and arts culture magazine returns in a jam packed issue– over 90 pages!— of poetry, ficition, essays and more! This issue has been guest edited by author, Sonnet Mondal and brings together a rich text of literature and critical analysis. When Virgogray first put out its call for a guest editor to fill in the duties involving selection and content, Sonnet was among the first to reply. It is a great pleasure to see the magnum opus he has crafted, a deep reservoir to enjoy and to invoke inspiration and thought-processes. More information on Nothing. No One. Nowhere. can be found at http://www.nothingnoonenowhere.com.  Here’s the content of this issue:

Poetry 

A Matter of Life
Aquarium
by Vihang A. Naik

These Absorbent Days
The Best Interest Flower Bouquet
by David S. Pointer

Things I used to Want to Write About
by Eugenia Tan

Fiction

The Case of the Missing Shoe
by Dr. Bina Biswas

Questions Answered
by Matthew Wilson

Serein
by James Robinson

Essays

The Moping Owl: The Eptiome of Melancholy
By Zinia Mitra

Identity Issues in the Poetry of Nissim Eziekiel
by Dr. Arvind Nawale & Prashant Mothe

Girish Karnad’s Hayavadana and Angela Carter’s
Night at the Circus: A Comparative Study of Indian
and Western Traditions of Story Telling
by Dr. Shamenz

Gary Soto’s Vision of Chicano Experiences:
The Elements of San Joaquin and Human Nature
By Dr. Paula Hayes

Music Reviews

Clan of Xymox: Kindred Spirit
Review by M.A. Casares

Vitesse: Chelsea
Review by M.A. Casares

Nothing. No One. Nowhere. No. 5 – Edited by Sonnet Mondal. Release: 5.7.13

 
It is with deep humility and gratitude that Virgogray Press has now released a new collection of poetry by Missouri poet, Mary B. Harrison. Beneath Our Feet has been a long time coming from Virgogray Press, and a production process that took longer than initially planned, the collection has finally arrived. I am pleased with the outcome, as Mary has expressed satisfaction, as well. It is a beautiful and sad collection of verse that really draws from life, but reflects it in snapshots of poetic expression. I am pleased to have this grouping of poetry, this body of art in the Virgogray Press library among the other gems of the underground and independent literary canon.

In Beneath our Feet, Mary B. Harrison’s poems are ghost-like snapshots, visual memories, history poetic as conveyed in the writer’s verse. Reflections at the evening of reality, Harrison’s poetry is a force of nostalgia behind a quiet, yet sharp voice. Astounding visions, moments weighted with sadness and notes of depression, the memories in a life of loss. Whether the curse of longevity, or good fortune, Beneath our Feet is a solemn account, a creative vision sculpted by the poetry of the thought-full poet deeply interred in her craft as readers witness through her movie reel instances of poetic imagery and detail. Still, this collection is a brief candle, a respite poignant and deliberate, a noted sharing by a poet brave and skilled, a lucid withdrawal into the whispers of fine literature.

Reblogged from V I R G O G R A Y --- P R E S S:

Virgogray Press is proud to present the latest collection from poets A. Molotkov and John Sibley Williams in a beautiful duet of verse, The End of Mythology. In the End of Mythology, A. Molotkov and John Sibley Williams have come together to create a new collection that is a responsive, almost fluid stream of poetry. The poetry of this collection has subtle and slightly haunting overtones in some areas, and radiant beams of light in others.

Read more… 90 more words

Virgogray Press is proud to present the latest collection from poets A. Molotkov and John Sibley Williams in a beautiful duet of verse, The End of Mythology. In the End of Mythology, A. Molotkov and John Sibley Williams have come together to create a new collection that is a responsive, almost fluid stream of poetry. The poetry of this collection has subtle and slightly haunting overtones in some areas, and radiant beams of light in others. Poets, A. Molotkov and John Sibley Williams have orchestrated a refined and tender, yet stunning symphony conveyed through minimalistic stanzas that draw the senses and the conscious to the fore. A seamless bifurcation of two great underground poets, The End of Mythology is a graceful masterpiece worthy to all poetry enthusiasts of our time. Poems in this book have appeared previously in publications such as, Calliope Nerve, Four and Twenty, Gobbet Magazine, IMPROV 2012 Anthology, M Review, Ofi Press, Small Doggies, Toe Good Poetry, and The Tower Journal.

Virgogray Press will have discounts on titles throughout the store at Virgogray Books, their online bookstore at Lulu. Most titles are discounted from 20% up to 50% off list price! Virgogray books also make great stocking stuffers!  :-D  

Virgogray Books

Don’t miss out! Sale ends Monday at midnight! 

Good evening. I hope everyone is well at the time of this writing. It has been a crazy year, 2012, that showed very fruitful for poetry and Virgogray Press. Having released several collections, and gratefully with the humble returns of poets like Suzi Olmsted, Justin Blackburn and Chris D’Errico, a core has begun to form. The remainder of 2012 and moving into 2013, Virgogray has plans for the release of only a few more titles of poetry from poets such as Michael Fitzgerald-Clarke and Ayne Francis de la Cruz. The newest collections, A. Molotkov and John S. Williams’ “The End of Mythology” and Mary B. Harrison’s “Beneath our Feet” are virtually upon us.

Nothing. No One. Nowhere. No. 5 is still waiting in the wings. Do not fear. We will move forward with the magazine as soon as we are able to. Do not forget, issue number 6 shall be edited by Sonnet Mondal. To have your work considered for publication please be sure to e-mail Sonnet Mondal (sonnetmondal@gmail.com). We will be accepting poetry, short fiction, non-fiction. Carcinogenic Poetry is still publishing and shall anthologize for the third time very soon. The Occupy Poetry Project shall publish through the end of the year and will be laid to rest in 2013. We’ll probably anthologize the series to send it off. It is with great thanks to the writers and readers of the web series that I reflect on it as it has been a fun and interesting ride in publication. That could be said the same for Virgogray in its entirety.

Virgogray is producing the Austin Salon Poetic, a free community-based poetry open mic in downtown Austin, Texas at a bar called Headhunters Club, that recently underwent a remodel by Spike TV reality show, “BarRescue.” The Austin Salon Poetic features local and regional poets to raise awareness of local poetry and also features a poetry open mic. Poets we’ve featured so far include, Thom Woodruff, Juan Manuel Perez, Bill Shute, Devorah Winegarten and others.

There is certainly more to look forward to, including re-issues of previously out of print collections, such as Marc Olmsted’s “Fresh Lotus Rehab” and A. J. Kaufmann’s “Broke Nuptial Minds.” That is all that can be said. To all others involved, I thank you for your patience and understanding in all matters of the press. Virgogray could not promote and share such vital work without the loyalty and integrity of the poets, artists and readers who support us.