Abstract

To be published in the world of contemporary creative writing likely means passing through one exclusive gate or another—even writers once able to make it through are losing access. What are these publishing gates, and who are their keepers? What are they trying to keep in—and out? Perhaps more productively, how might those of us who are passionate about creating a progressive, inclusive, and radical body of literature break down—or go around—or ignore those gates of exclusivity and begin to build new, ungated communities?

Description

Gladly, the rigidly traditional literary canon has been eroding for some time. But its bones are still there, and not only in the texts and curricula taught in secondary and higher education, but in our very publishing system, as well. The world of publishing, from the macro “Big Five” to micro zines, journals, and presses, contains within it untold lessons that carry great worth—but only if we excavate and examine them. To that end, this panel will gather a thoughtful range of writers and publishers who will discuss and consider the nature of the literary gates and gate keeping they’ve experienced in their lives—on both sides. Sharing these experiences across the gamut of publishing, panelists will suggest strategies for negotiating long existing gates of power, but they will also and more importantly share their insights on sustainable alternatives to the existing structures, pointing in directions less canonical, less rigid, less exclusive.

This panel should engage anyone interested in the how and why in the world of publishing, and certainly anyone interested in learning more about the ongoing status quo in that world and ways to resist and challenge it. This panel will certainly be of direct value to writers and publishers, and will also be fascinating and meaningful for any scholars and educators curious about literature and all the many barriers that must be overcome for a book, any book, to finally find its way into their hands.

If you're interested in taking part in this great roundtable, please submit as your abstract a note of interest and a description of your relevant experiences and/or qualifications.