Against the Tide

“The American public is incredibly demanding in the diversity of books it seeks. The big publishers couldn’t possibly fulfill those wishes, so the small presses collectively fuel the industry with their breadth and passion.”

So says George Gibson, president of Walker Books and consultant to the Mellon Foundation and the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Fund, in an article commissioned by the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses. In that same article (“Independent Presses and ‘Little’ Magazines in American Culture”) writer Gayle Feldman also quotes past NEA Director of Literature Cliff Becker:

“it becomes more and more important to American culture that there are these alternatives for literature, that there is a structure to combat the potential short-term myopia of the marketplace.”

Is it myopia or greed that drives the marketplace? My guess is greed-induced myopia.

I hope that the little guys — the alternatives — can stay afloat. I spent all day today working on a grant proposal, looking for some philanthropic funds to support worthy stories. I know I’m being a bit vague, but if and when I have some good news I promise to spill all the details.