December 1996 / Planet of the Arts 13 Feminist Publishers Press Forward by Bronwyn Masson Vancouver-based Press Gang Publishers had their Fall 1996 launch at the Heritage Hall on Thursday night, November 28. Two hundred people came to listen to three authors recite their works. Press Gang Publishing is a feminist publishing house whose mission statement is “to publish a wide range of writing by women which explores themes of personal and political struggles of equality.” It is committed ““to putting. out Voices, we rarely get to hear: of Native women, Black women, Asian women, ritual abuse survivors, lesbians.” Their catalogue lists 50 titles from authors and poets, such as Lee Maracle, Larissa Lai, Chrytos; Shani Mootoo, and others. Press Gang publishing celebrated their twentieth anniversary in 1995. They originated as a side line volunteer collective that emerged from the now defunct Press Gang Printers. s i At its inception, publication was sporadic — about one. book per year. As-Press Gang Publishing grew, the high rate of volunteer turnover made things very difficult and almost unbearable. In 1987, Press. Gang. decided to no longer employ the work of volun- teers. The three staff members committed themselves to making the busi- ness viable. This involved increasing the number of books published each year to.six or seven. Curious about the secret of their success, | met with founding Press Gang staff member and managing editor Barbara Kuhne. What follows paraphrases of our conversation. What do you believe is behind the success of Press Gang Publishing’s ability to survive for twenty-one years, especially in these economic times?. Until recently, there has been three principal women, we have worked closely together for nine years. This continuity has enable a common understanding and commitment to the work. You do not get into this “business to make a lot of money. It requires hard work, long hours, and little pay. What advice would you give women students at Emily Carr regarding being able to survive making art? Good luck! ... Work your connections; improve your grant writing ability; much patience and part time jobs [may be necessary]. Persimmon Blackbridge is an Emily Carr graduate whose book Sunnybrook, A True Story with Lies, is one of Press Gang Publisher fall 1996 releases. Persimmon is not only an author but a sculptor, video and visual artist, and she supplements her income by cleaning houses. Be pre- pared to diversify the fine art disciplines. But what is really important is to do self promotion and show your work everywhere you can. [Even in PoA, my thought]. It will be very difficult. Has the feminist backlash of today impacted the organization? Yes. There was a more demand [for feminist literature] in the late sev- enties and early eighties than there is now. It is hard to say whether it is due to people not reading as much, or that the mainstream publishers have picked up celebrity alternative writers, like Alice Walker. The big book stores, like Chapters, still ignore the small presses, and the small publishers can not afford to pay the big stores promotion fees that are required for a prominent shelving position. Sales are mainly to small bookstores, like Vancouver Women’s Bookstore, which has since closed down. Women need to support these small bookstores so that there is a wider variety of alternative titles, and an expanded opportunity for aspir- ing women writers. What do you consider some of Press Gangs high’s in the past twenty- one years? continued on page 16... atrue story with lies... ERSTMMON BLACKBRIDGE The book cover of Emily Carr graduate Persimmon Blackbridge’s Sunnybrook: A True Story With Lies, includes the work of Val Spediel, a part time student at ECIAD, and Susan Stewart, an instructor at ECAID. on Questionnaire Survey for Women Students At Emily Carr a We need to know what issues you are concerned with. Please complete this survey and return the form to Bronwyn, C/o Planet of the Arts office (Room 242). Name: Phone number: 1. As awomen student at ECIAD , what are you are concerned with? (1=most important, 4=least important) I _____ Safety issues around the school _____ personal financial ‘issues I _______ local women’s community issues _____ student issues — federal I awareness and participation consideration.e.g. Federal day care I | e.g. art submissions for events initiatives, | I posters etc. tuition increases ] I 2. What other issues or topics should be incorporated in these pages? I I 3. Would you like to have a “Wellness awareness” seminar - inviting local community groups to impart ; I information and be available to discuss specific concerns with students about women oriented interest and I I concerns. e.g. WAVAW Women’s health Collective. I | If so what groups should we ask to attend? | ; When e.g. Jan 97 What time e.g. Lunch time; all day I [| 4. Would you participate in a Women’s only social event? help organise it? | I 5. Would you like to see more women-focused art around campus? I Should there be a permanent display area? I | More women artist shows? | Would you like a Women’s Concourse art show in 1997? i If so, suggest a theme, or indicate that there should be no theme: ‘ I 6. Any other suggestions for programs, events, specific to the women’s constituency at Emily Carr? I r I I I I I I ' I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I i I I I I I I I I I I I I L December 1996 / Planet of the Arts 13 Feminist Publishers Press Forward by Bronwyn Masson Vancouver-based Press Gang Publishers had ther Fall 1996 launch at the tage alton Toray nigh Novembe: 28 Two handed peole aga ee ee Bee Press Gang Publishing is a feminist publishing house whose mission ec statement is “to publish a wide range of writing by women which J explores themes of personal and 2 i a true story with lies... political struggles of equality.” IRs committed "to putting out voices we rarely get to hear: of Native ‘women, Black women, Asian women, rtual abuse survivors, lesbians.” Theie catalogue lists 50 titles from authors and poets, such as Lee Maracle, Larissa Lai, Chrytos, Shani Mooteo, and others. Press Gang publishing celebrated their twentieth anniversary in 1995 ‘They originated a8 a sideline volunteer collective that emerged from the row defunct Press Gang Printers. ‘Atts inception, publication was sporadic — about one book per year 'As Press Gang Publishing grew, the high rate of volunteer turnover made things very difficult and almost unbearable. In 1987, Press Gang decided to no longer employ the work of volun teers. The three staff members committed themselves to making the bus: ‘ess viable. This involved increasing the number of books published each year to six or seven. Curious about the secret oftheir success, | met with founding Press Gang staff member and managing editor Barbara Kune. What follows paraphrases of our conversation What do you believe is behind the success of Press Gang Publishing's ability to survive for twenty-one years, especially in these economic ‘Until recently, there has been three principal women, we have worked closely together for nine years. This continuity has enable a common understanding and commitment tothe work, You do not get into this business to make a lot of money. It requires hard work, long hours, and litle pay. What advice would you give women students a Emily Cre regarding being able to survive making art? ‘Good luck! .. Work your connections: improve your grant ‘writing ability: much patience and part time jobs [may be necessary]. Persimmon Blackbridge i an Emily Carr graduate whose book Sunnybrook, A True Story with Lies, sone of Press Gang Publisher fll 1996 releases. Persimmon isnot only an author but a sculptor, video and x visual artis, and she supplements her income by cleaning houses. Be pre pared to diversify the fine art disciplines. But what really important is to segtmeneten ed Rew eu yok eemten you cn enn es, SE FR STMMON BLACK SRIDGE Has the feminist backlash of today impacted the organization? ak ol bal car aces Corer se ‘Yes. There was a more demand {for feminist iteratue] inthe late sev- or tne tude 2 €CXO, ad Sean Sowa ctr at AD. enties and early eighties than there fs now. Its hard to say whether it is {due to people not reading as much, or that the mainstream publishers have plted up celery aernatiwe wre, ieee Walker The ig) aeanaanas-== Denk stores tke Chapa ilsgnce te sal presey andthe seal = = publishers can not afford to payin big stores promotion fees that ae pale Spenetbde ene Fy gL Questionnaire Survey for bookstores ike Vaneuer Wome Bookstore whith hes ince coved dow, Women need to support these small bockstores so thet there BaF Women Students At Emily Carr wider variety of alternative titles, and an expanded opportunity for aspir- I Daworen writers ! ie nn tok wn os cred th A ee ne eee rasta compet th ny sane os Bom Part he ars fe oom 22, oneyear? ee Js V4. Asa women student at ECIAD, what are you are concerned with? 1 Gercitpran ot nora f Stay i ard a oo pn ea i Eatomtscmntyece — aera ae 1 ‘awareness and participation consideration e.g. Federal day care i ies Sa ierey ‘ ae Sion ee 12. what other isues or topics should be incorporated in these pages? I 1 1. woutyou theo he swe sarees sri inting ul conmanty po mt Irom wb fae toca pc sce wh tit wae enerid Pees nd 1 Gre: Wain vomers ath ace, ft. veyeteee tadetatwomar I . = ae When 9. Jan 97 What ime e.g, Lunch tne: ll ay 4. Would you participate in Womens only social event? _—_ help organise? ‘5. Would you lite to see more women focused at around campur? Should there be a permanent espay area? Would you ikea Women's Concourse art show in 1997? so, suggest theme, or inglat that there should be no theme: 6. _Any other suggestion for programs, events, specific tothe womens constituency at Ely Car?