Something is unfolding in one corner of the poetry world, on the web, today.
I was over at Facebook, and noticed that the director of Salt Publishing was making an appeal (see below).
Last fall I was in Cambridge, England for a week and was impressed, while browsing in a bookshop, by the quite handsomely produced hard cover titles Salt produces.
I know them mostly through the John Matthias and John Tranter titles I've acquired over the years and, more recently, John Wilkinson. They also published fellow Macondista Deborah Miranda in their indigenous series.
Having said that, I sometimes wonder about the wisdom of publishing the sheer number of titles that they do---which is why it will be interesting to see if they manage to overcome their current financial challenges.
But I'm rooting for them. The poetry scene is a more interesting place with them in it. They also seem to be on the cutting edge of finding new ways to use technology to promote their titles. Check out their relatively new "Virtual Rep" initiative on their website.
So, if you feel so inclined, lend them a hand. I can't think of another publisher as ambitious as them, where world poetry in English is concerned. What they're asking is pretty modest. I ordered a title by an Irish poet, Chris Agee.
"Saving Salt Publishing: Just One Book
Today at 10:56am
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
As many of you will know, Jen and I have been struggling to keep Salt moving since June last year when the economic downturn began to affect our press. Our three year funding ends this year: we've £4,000 due from Arts Council England in a final payment, but cannot apply through Grants for the Arts for further funding for Salt's operations. Spring sales were down nearly 80% on the previous year, and despite April's much improved trading, the past twelve months has left us with a budget deficit of over £55,000. It's proving to be a very big hole and we're having to take some drastic measures to save our business.
Here's how you can help us to save Salt and all our work with hundreds of authors around the world.
JUST ONE BOOK
1.
Please buy just one book, right now. We don't mind from where, you can buy it from us or from Amazon, your local shop or megastore, online or offline. If you buy just one book now, you'll help to save Salt. Timing is absolutely everything here. We need cash now to stay afloat. If you love literature, help keep it alive. All it takes is just one book sale. Go to our online store and help us keep going.
2.
Share this note on your profile. Tell your friends. If we can spread the word about our cash crisis, we can hopefully find more sales and save our literary publishing. Remember it's just one book, that's all it takes to save us. Please do it now.
With my best wishes to everyone
Chris
Director
Salt Publishing
http://www.saltpublishing.com"
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