The Colorado Poet, #23, Summer 2013
Inside this Issue:
Colorado Presses: Liquid Light
M. D. Friedman
Last issue, we wrote about Mercury HeartLink Press. This issue we asked M. D. Friedman to respond to our questions on Liquid Light Press.
1. When and how did this press start?
MDF: I started Liquid Press in the spring of 2011 to fill what I found to be a void in contemporary small press poetry publication. I had been publishing e-books, audio and video poetry through the popular Internet Poets' Cooperative Web Site since 2001, and with all the poets I knew, I found the work that appealed the most to me was the poetry that "speaks to the heart." Even though this type of poetry was a favorite at the open readings I often attended, it was, according to my poet friends, difficult to get published. It seems the poetry establishment generally preferred to publish poetry that is more scholarly, academic, and clever (poetry that speaks to the head) over poetry that is transformational and redemptive (poetry that speaks to the heart). In addition, many of the established poetry presses often favored an extensive publication resume over a mastery of craft. This is the niche I am attempting to fill with Liquid Light Press.
2. What do you see as its mission?
MDF: Our mission is to promote the artistic sharing of the human journey to consciousness and inner experiences difficult to express in linear vocabulary. We publish poetry that landmarks spiritual evolution, is attentive to the moment and reminds us of everyday miracles.
3. Is there something you think of as unique for this press?
MDF: Even though small presses are a plenty, presses that publish just poetry in store quality chapbooks in both print and e-book formats with global distribution seem to be a rarity. Liquid Light Press publishes chapbooks that look like trade books with gorgeous full color, glossy covers that are each a work of art in itself. Our Premium Chapbook First Edition Collection represents the work of poets with a variety of styles and publication experience.
4. How many titles are available and what are your plans/hopes for the future?
MDF: We plan to publish 3 - 5 manuscripts per year. Our next chapbook will be released in the spring of 20 − Of Eyes and Iris by Erika Moss Gordon. Here’s what Liquid Light Press has published so far: Catalyst, poems by Jeremy Martin (December 14, 2012); ah, poems by Rachel Kellum (August 1, 2012); From the Ashes, poems by Wayne A. Gilbert (June 8, 2012); The Miracle Already Happening - Everyday Life with Rumi, poems by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer (December 12, 2011) and Leaning Toward Whole: Poems by M. D. Friedman (June 8, 2011)
5. What’s your submission policy? (Open, certain times, invitation only, query, etc.)
We are currently looking for manuscripts that are synergistic with our mission.[http://www.liquidlightpress.com/] Our focus for the near future will continue to be on adding new, like-minded poets to our Premium Chapbook First Edition Collection. [http://www. liquidlightpress.com/books.htm] We are open to submissions of chapbook-sized sequences of poetry year round. We are looking for work that not only fits our focus, but also has extreme merit in terms of both craft and message. The collection should be easily readable in one sitting and all the poems in the manuscript should be selected to work together to create a transformational experience for the reader. Please see http://liquidlightpress.com/submit.htm for full submission guidelines.
6. What have I missed that you’d like people to know?
MDF: We see the publication process as a collaborative partnership and enjoy working with each of our poets to bring their work to the world in a format that reflects the special nature of each manuscript we accept. We pay close attention to detail to produce high quality chapbooks that are truly beautiful both inside and out.
