The First Book

2009-02-16T16:06:00.000-08:00

The first chapbook is now for sale. Doubt This Animal, poems by Jessica Wickens, was hand-bound in an edition of 100. Why did I begin my foray into chapbook publishing with my own chapbook? The first reason is selfish; I really wanted to make this book, with my own design, and have it ready for a reading with Beeswax Magazine in November. Second, I preferred not to hurt anyone else's book with first-timer mistakes. And there were a few.

***

From the book:

In ours it begins to be loosen’d

This happened side by side
with rosemary and orgasms and bank accounts,
inexplicable molasses. This happened
in a neighborhood with steam pouring
from corner carts and paint-smeared jeans
and kidnappings. This happened in another flower,
the nail shop and where it gets swept off.

***

Welcome to Skeptic Press

2009-02-16T15:29:00.001-08:00

Skeptic Press was created by me (Jessica Wickens) in November 2008 to design, produce, and sell poetry chapbooks and to contribute to the effort of independent publishing. There seem to be untold millions of journals, presses, and zines out there, but I hear from fellow poets, and have experienced myself, that it's still really really hard to get books published, especially first books. Fortunately, the chapbook is flourishing these days as it can be easily and cheaply produced and easily distributed via the www. It's good to have one to sell or give away at readings.

From photo-copied zines to letterpress-printed books of fine paper, there are so many kinds of chapbook love. I appreciate the big presses and publishing houses, and hope they'll publish my books too someday, but DIY people-powered efforts are closer kin to poetry as something sacred, political, radical, and generous, to be shared, apart from the bigger markets of the world.

Creds: I'm a poet with some modest publishing credentials, most recently in Little Red Leaves. I'm a co-founder and co-editor of Monday Night, an annual literary journal that's been publishing new/young/emerging writers since 2001. I also have some background in book arts. With this modest experience and a modest budget, I'm hoping to make one to two books a year.

Selection: You might notice me publishing my friends, because I am blessed to be acquainted with some damn fine poets.

Contact: Write to me at skepticpress@gmail.com with any suggestions.