Chloe Stromberg
Mark your calendars folks! It’s that time of year again, when Barstow & Grand will be releasing the ninth edition of their regional literary journal. Join fellow writers in celebrating the hard work they’ve dedicated to this journal. A release party will be held at The Brewing Projekt on Wednesday, November 19 at 7PM.
I got in touch with a few of the editors, who work on the journal. They spoke about the process of collaborating on the journal and highlighted the importance of contributions made by many writers.
I first had a conversation with Eric Rasmussen, founder and editor for Barstow & Grand. Eric has been helping with the release of these literary journals for nine years. We discussed some background on Barstow & Grand, as well as the upcoming regional literary journal.
CS: What is the biggest change Barstow & Grand has seen over the years?
ER: Every issue is a unique mix of local authors and writers from around the upper midwest, and that’s always the most exciting part of publishing the journal. Our goal all along has been to contribute to the literary community of the Chippewa Valley and build bridges to other writers in the region and beyond. While our submission and publication routines have been fairly well established for several years now, it’s always fun and rewarding to see what sort of writers we’re appealing by taking a look at who’s submitting.
CS: What is something you think is unique to this edition, compared to previous ones?
ER: The most unique element of the issue that we’re particularly excited about is the art we found to compliment the writing in the journal. We connected with Greg Krochen, archivist at UW-Eau Claire’s McIntyre Library, who shared the work of local amateur photographer Daniel Bastian Nelson, who took pictures of life in the Chippewa Valley around the turn of the 19th century. Not only are the images super engaging, the historical angle lends the writing we’re featuring this time around a different twist. People have been engaging creatively with the Chippewa Valley for a long time, and it’s interesting to consider that scope.
CS: How did you initially become interested in editing, and more specifically for Barstow & Grand?
ER: My original interest in local publishing was founded in my own writing endeavors. Writing fiction has been my primary creative outlet for more than a decade now, and early on I took as much writing advice to heart as possible, including how impactful working for a literary journal can be on one’s own writing. After gaining some experience as a reader for a couple different national journals, I decided the Chippewa Valley could use an outlet of its own. This was at the time BJ Hollars was starting the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild, so it felt like the perfect time to start a partnership and bring my modest editorial skills to the local writing community.
CS: What is your favorite aspect of the editing process? Is there anything that surprised you, going into it?
ER: Reading submissions is always overwhelming, and rejecting work is heartbreaking. But once we follow the process and are left with a stack of writing that we intend to publish, something magical happens. As I re-read the pieces for layout purposes, I find all the ways they’re connected, and discover the reasons our readers and editors chose them. It’s like pieces of a collage that you didn’t think would fit together gelling into a cohesive work. The first read-through of the laid-out journal is a deeply rewarding act of discovery, even though I’ve seen all the pieces before!
CS: What advice would you give to those who are interested in pursuing an editing career, or working for Barstow & Grand?
ER: As a hobbyist editor, I’m probably not a great source of advice for those seeking careers in literary editing and publishing! That being said, I would definitely remind any interested parties that editing is a skill, and like all skills, can only be developed through practice. After more than a decade of editing work, I’m relatively confident in the suggestions I offer our authors, but that wasn’t always the case. Some people are born with a good critical eye when it comes to writing, but the process of working with authors is something that will take time to hone.
CS: What’s been your favorite project to work on at Barstow & Grand?
ER: The release party every year is a blast, and I’m continually dumbfounded that we manage to attract so many people! I’m also proud of our website, our editorial team, and all the other behind-the-scenes work. But nothing compares to picking up the proof copy each year from EC Printing. That’s every writer’s dream–a book that you helped create, that people will pick up and read and find some joy in doing so. The physical copy of each year’s issue is definitely the part I appreciate most.
CS: What are you most excited about for this next release of the Barstow & Grand regional literary journal?
ER: Our release party will once again take place at the Brewing Projekt in November, and that’s always a focal point. Meeting authors, seeing friends and literary contacts, the event has become a cornerstone of local literary calendar, and that’s always very exciting. Handing our authors the complete journal with their work included is something I look forward to every year!
Next, I asked Kate Hinnant, poetry editor for Barstow & Grand to speak on how other positions she inhabits overlap with her work at Barstow & Grand.
CS: What does contributing to this literary journal mean to you and your colleagues?
KH: For me, being part of producing this journal is about providing a place for local and regional writers to share their work. I feel like the careful way we curate each issue means we are not simply amassing poems and prose, but creating a context in which they can be enjoyed together.
CS: In addition to working as the poetry editor for Barstow & Grand, you also work at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in McIntyre library. Could you explain a bit about your position?
KH: Sure. I am the Head of Communication. McIntyre Library has a lot of cool things going on: events, exhibits, digital collections of historic photos, for example. I head up a team of staff that makes sure that students, faculty and staff and sometimes the public know about everything that is going on in our library.
CS: Are there any takeaways you’ve had from working in McIntyre library that translate over to your position as a poetry editor? What skills have you acquired that may influence your editing technique?
“Sharing thoughts with the other poetry readers helps me recognize the value that others see in my poems.”
KH: Both positions demand that I always consider my audience. For example, with the journal I am not looking for poems that satisfy just me, I am trying to think of our readers. So if the form isn’t my favorite, or if it’s about a topic that’s not of interest, I still consider it. Sharing thoughts with the other poetry readers helps me recognize the value that others see in my poems.
CS: What positions have you had in the past that led you to editing poetry for Barstow & Grand?
KH: I was a reader and then Poetry Editor of Sycamore Review in the early 1990s.
CS: Can you explain a bit about what to expect from Barstow & Grand’s regional literary journal?
KH: We try not to follow any formula, so it really is good and varied writing from the upper midwest.
Lastly, Paul Reid, the editor of prose for Barstow & Grand, shared his enjoyment for laughing at the everyday events of life through storytelling.
CS: Along with being a prose editor for Barstow & Grand, you’re also an English/Creative writing professor at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC). How might your teaching experience influence the way you edit? Is there anything you’ve learned teaching that you could apply to your editing position?
“I’ve learned that behind every piece of writing is a person, so it is important to be empathetic and encouraging to others. I work with writers of all ability levels on a weekly basis, so I always try to find ways to give writers feedback, no matter how small. ”
PR: I’ve learned that behind every piece of writing is a person, so it is important to be empathetic and encouraging to others. I work with writers of all ability levels on a weekly basis, so I always try to find ways to give writers feedback, no matter how small.
CS: On the other end, are there techniques or skills you’ve acquired as a prose editor that you’ve been able to use in your teaching?
PR: We get so many great submissions of prose to Barstow and Grand–reading them makes me excited to write and I try to share that enthusiasm in encouraging my students to take chances and put themselves out there as writers.
CS: You’ve made contributions in the past to Barstow & Grand’s literary journals. What is your favorite genre to write? Why?
PR: I love the short story, but my favorite genre is probably creative non-fiction. Every story starts with an element of truth, and I feel I have a lot of stories to tell. I enjoy the challenge of helping my readers see the humor in everyday events.
CS: As an editor, what has been your favorite genre/style of writing to read? Why might that be and has your taste shifted over time?
PR: My favorite genre to read is the same as I write–short stories and creative non-fiction, although I will admit I gravitate toward shorter pieces and flash fiction, as I love the power of the word and this really shines in shorter fiction.
CS: Why do you believe it’s important for people to support Barstow & Grand?
PR: Barstow & Grand has published over 200 authors since it started, many of them first-time authors–what an amazing statistic! To have an outlet to give so many people a voice to reach others is something that is truly needed today more than ever. Plus, it is always a great read!
CS: Do you have any tips for writers who are interested in submitting work to a journal in the future? Editing or otherwise?
PR: You will never get published if you don’t submit a piece, simple as that. Believe in yourself and your abilities. If your piece isn’t accepted, don’t be discouraged–this happens all the time! Submit again–it will happen for you!
Don’t forget to show up to The Brewing Projekt, at 7:00pm on Wednesday, Nov. 19th, for a night full of pure literary bliss! This event will run from 7:00pm-8:30pm.