San Francisco’s Anarchist Book Fair 2007

I traveled to San Francisco this past weekend (March 14 – 19) to attend the 12th Annual Anarchist Book Fair. With over 50 organizations involved and two days of panel speakers, this event is anarchy’s answer to traditional media conglomerates. So what exactly -is- anarchy, and what then, is the answer?

Princeton’s Wordnet defines anarchy as:

“a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government) “

Therefore, anarchy is a visible symptom of a failing system of rule. That anarchists exist, especially in the numbers seen at this most recent gathering: a mere .5% of the San Francisco population perhaps, but not bad for a lawless collective.

Judging by the range of materials available at the event (some free, most not) [and a google search that turned up this letter revealing anarchist turmoil], even anarchists can’t exactly decide on a definition of anarchy — human drama likes to intervene in just about everything and who gets to decide “right” versus “wrong” anyway?

Anarchists are people, too, people trying to get by in a capitalist world, and surviving means cash flow, which then leads to struggles of power — inevitable in any human relationship. Most of the information at the book fair was not free and available, but instead, the book fair provided a marketplace for writers and publishers would might not have an opportunity to distribute their wares.

Many of the smaller venues had signs that announced they would accept trades, which I think is fantastic. I had nothing to offer for trades, but I had cash earmarked for the event. Anyway, George Richard Esenwein, author of Anarchist Ideology and the Working Class Movement in Spain, 1868-1898, suggests that “preferred economic systems are one of the many areas of disagreement for anarchists,” so the money thing isn’t anything new.

When I’ve had a chance to read through the materials, I will post a review, and, perhaps foolishly, an answer to that second question. Plus, I might just update you on the state of our very own print publication, but for now, I leave you with a new website to visit:

Center for Tactical Magic

The tactical ice cream unit, sponsored by Hallmark

http://www.tacticalmagic.org/

They interned with a magician, a private investigator, and a ninja as an exploration of power in the modern world. They gave me a free popsicle and information on digging up your grandma’s heirloom tomatoes. You oughta check out the projects.

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Didn’t get to visit this year’s book fair?

Don’t worry, friend.

Here are the highlights, in no particular order:

A Giant Bike & Lip-Locked George Bush Clones

Crappy Live Music, by Anarchists

Those Who Dress Alike Think Alike? Maybe.

Technical Disaster Strikes, Publication Delayed

It was all finished, every last page, and I just needed to print it.  Only, when I tried to open the files, they were corrupted.  Half of the magazine is now lost in cyberspace, and the future of the rest is shaky at best since I don’t know what happened.  Computer Virus?  Problem with my flash drive?  Fluke accient? No clue.

This is exactly what I wanted to do the old school cut-and-paste layout.  Luckily, my better instincts generally get the best of me, and I have a mock-up that contains most everything that was destroyed, and, of course, I have the original work from our contributors.  It is the hours of lost labor that is distressing.  I am disheartened, I’ll admit it.  And damn annoyed for not having a back up of the files (which would probably be corrupt, too, eh?)

Chaos fights order at every turn.  Dark threatens to snuff out light.  Some dude quoted me $9 an issue to print this thing out.  Is he out of his mind?

It’s going to take at least three days to get the layout back to where it was, and this forces me, once again, to consider the virtues of print versus electronic.  Perhaps a mini-issue to accompany a website launch?  Blurbs of articles with the full-text online?  Any thoughts would be welcome.

Skipping Meals video

In Britain, dumpster diving is often called “skipping.” In this video, a U.K. student discusses dumpster diving for food. It’s short and informative. The discussion is specific to Great Britain, but the information certainly applies to America, perhaps even more so. Definitely worth a watch:

Skipping meals

Also, if you search YouTube, you’ll find many more short videos about dumpster diving.

Two Exciting Developments

First, business cards are on the way!

These cards are designed so that the various greensburg magazine staff members / writers can have their own business cards to distribute when they are “on the beat.” If you want your very own greensburg business cards, leave a comment here or drop us a line. (Obviously, you need to be affiliated with us in some way, but, hey, we welcome new connections, too.)

[Note: I purchased the business cards through VistaPrint. If you order products using this link, you'll save 25% and $2 will go to greensburg magazine.]

Next, I’m excited because I just booked a ticket to San Francisco in March to attend the 12th Annual Anarchist Bookfair.

The event is free and promotes independent media makers by providing a place for peeps to meet and greet. Apparently people from all over the world show up, it’s free, and, since greensburg is independently published by me at this point, I figured this would be a great place to make contacts and, I hope, figure out a way to keep greensburg “underground.”

They’ve got a load of speakers lined up, and I found someone with a place I can crash for free.

I’m pumped.

So, anyone want to join me as I enter the wonderful world of anarchist media makers? My ticket was $164 via priceline.

Now Hiring: Layout Staff

Okay, so we don’t have any money, so you’ll be overworked and underpaid. What else is new? In exchange for your time, you will receive unconditional greensburg love, free food, and occasional dumpstered goodies which could range from anything to, well, anything, really.

You do not need to have experience with layout via a computer (we’re using Scribus), but some layout experience, even of a personal nature (i.e. zines, scrapbooking, altered art), is preferred. Skills with blogs and computer graphic design a major plus.
Send a resume, samples of your work, and a self-portrait in your choice of medium to: greensburg magazine layout staff, P.O. Box 652, greensburg, PA 15601.

You must be able to meet in the Greensburg area at least once every other week during off-periods and at least three times per week in the two weeks before an issue is released. We are willing to work with your school in order to help you get credit for your work.

SF Anarchist Book Fair

In other news, greensburg editor, Moira Richardson, and advertising consultant, Joe McFadden, are planning a trip to San Francisco in March to attend the 12th annual Anarchist Book Fair.  If you’re in SF and would like to offer us a place to stay, or you would like to meet up before and during the event, let us know.  This event is free and open to the public.  We will be distributing copies of greensburg magazine as well as literature about the event.  If you have any literature you’d like us to hand out, drop us a line.

Salvaged Love – update

With our release date two weeks away, and our layout just over half-way finished, things are rather panicky here at greensburg headquarters. No worries, our first issue will be ready to go in no time and at your doorstep before you can recite the names of all the U.S. presidents, backwards.

We are tentatively planning a release party at the greensburg info shop on February 14th, in the evening. Two bands, so far, are scheduled to play, and you’ll be able to pick up your copy of the magazine when you stop by.

If you miss picking up one of the freebies, you can purchase your very own issue for less than the price of lunch. ($5 to greensburg magazine; P.O. Box 652, greensburg, PA 15601).

Two weeks after the launch of the print magazine, you will, with luck, be able to purchase a *.pdf copy for the same price, with one added advantage: you will be able to print, and distribute, greensburg magazine for yourself.

Issue #1 closed, now accepting submission for #2

Submissions for issue #1 – Salvaged Love are now closed.  Layout starts this week and will be completed by the end of January, if not much sooner.  The first issue is looking great and we’ll begin reading for Issue #2 – All Things Green on January 1st.

Guidelines:

3/30 all things green (positive consumption): local produce, organic food, easy eco-friendly actions, marijuana reform laws, bike laws and lanes, fair vs. free trade, hemp, recycling, environmentally-friendly companies [released: 5/15/07]

We are planning a special feature on marijuana.  We will be accepting flash fiction of up to 500 words and poetry of up to 25 lines as well as non-fiction and editorial-style articles concerning issues related to marijuana:  hemp as a renewable resource, reforming marijuana laws, history of marijuana laws, effects of marijuana, benefits / drawbacks of consumption, Amsterdam, etc.

Contracts sent! Still accepting subs

After several hours of staring at the computer screen, I’ve finally sent out the contracts for the first issue to most of the people who contributed.  These need to be printed, signed, and returned by January 1st, 2007.  We are still accepting submissions through Christmas Day, but space is quickly filling and already we are showcasing the work of nearly twenty people.  Not bad!  I’ve started editing the work for issue #1, and local artist Gabriel Felice has agreed to design our cover.  We’ve even had a couple of contributions for issues #2 and #3.  Sweet!

Submission Guidelines

 

greensburg

/greenz’·bûrg/

1. n. a city in SW Pennsylvania. pop.17,588.

2. n. an edgy, experimental magazine of emerging artists

3. v. to make a community turn “green”

topics can include: sustainable conscious lifestyle choices, political activism, current events, arts & entertainment, religion and spirituality, economics, and bios

PA-based magazine now seeking submissions:

Ÿ non-fiction pieces up to 1,000 words

Ÿ editorials

Ÿ news/features

Ÿ profiles

Ÿ reviews (music, art, literature)

Ÿ quirky recipes/tutorials

Ÿ flash fiction up to 750

Ÿ poetry up to 20 lines

Ÿ back and white photography and drawings

Ÿ graphics/digital art

Ÿ comics

deadline+topic

12/12 salvaged love (fringe practices): dumpster diving, freecycling, religious policy, bicycles, volunteering, environmentally-friendly action [released: 2/14/07]

3/30 all things green (positive consumption): local produce, organic food, easy eco-friendly actions, marijuana reform laws, bike laws and lanes, fair vs. free trade, hemp, recycling, environmentally-friendly companies [released: 5/15/07]

6/15 hallowed harvest (the occult): elections, ghost stories, haunted places in PA, free and cheap Halloween costumes, getting the most from your pumpkin [released: 10/15/07]

send writing / art submissions as a .doc or .tif attachment and all queries to:
greensburg.magazine@gmail.com
the deadline for the first issue is DECEMBER 12th.

You will not be paid for your contribution, but you will receive 2 contributor copies, with the opportunity to buy more issues at cost. This magazine will be distributed for free throughout Greensburg and available through subscription.