DIRECTOR’S CUT
Even for an optimist—and to run a literary non-profit while also writing poetry one has to be an optimist—it’s difficult to deny that all is far from well within the world of publishing.
To be certain, most industries (particularly ones driven and defined by creative expression) are forever in some state of flux, but trends and evolving tastes aside, from a purely pragmatic context, there are headwinds impossible to ignore.
During the last month alone, a handful of reputable literary magazines have suspended operations. The creative arts, which receive nominal support in the best of times, have fewer advocates. In a book industry facing ceaseless consolidation, the fortunate few are doing better than ever, while the vast majority scramble for relative crumbs. Seeing well-regarded presses and universities imitating the most repulsive aspects of a late-stage capitalist business model is cause for despair, if not disgust.
Of course, it’s no secret that the great old days where respectable advances were expected are long gone. Today, those published by small (or, tellingly, even large) presses are obliged to book their own reading tours and events, sustain a social media presence, and hustle readers to recommend their work. With smaller budgets, things writers used to take for granted, like book reviews and PR muscle, now seem fantastical. In 2021, the opportunities to publish—not to mention be paid for it—are, if not disappearing, increasingly scarce, and the halcyon era of writing for a living recedes further in the rearview.
On the other hand, it’s also never been easier to get one’s work out there; just about anyone can operate a blog or website, and the viability of self-publishing is such that future generations might marvel at why writers continued to work within a “system” that does so little and maintains the lion’s share of ever-shrinking profits. Until now, artists (especially writers) have sought to exist in an enterprise filled of gatekeepers and paid tastemakers, where those moving the most units enjoy institutional support. It’s a marketplace ripe for disruption, but also uncertainty.
The industry has, for decades, been a bottom-line proposition, averse to risk and new ideas. This, obviously, is anathema to creativity, but it’s the existing model, however poorly it serves both writers and audiences. That books able to change authors’ and readers’ lives—books able to change the world—continue to be printed tends to validate all these inadequacies, but even an idealist has to wonder how many miraculous works of art will never be published, precisely because of the way things are.
It doesn’t need to be this way.
The primary impetus driving 1455 is a refusal to accept this untenable status quo. Our mission is simple as it is transparent: we seek out storytellers and showcase their work, by any means possible. A nimble and innovative operation by design, our free, inclusive programming (including author events both in-person and virtual, our vodcast, our annual Summer Fest, our workshop series, our Moveable Feast initiative, and of course, our bi-monthly magazine Movable Type) defies SOP and indifference.
We offer a viable alternative to the often elitist and anti-independent system that rewards the few at the expense of thousands of honest, important voices. If these writers, one by one, succeed, 1455 succeeds and vice versa; we offer support and resources with no expectation of ROI—aside from the genuine pleasure of helping necessary writing find advocates. This issue of Movable Type features original poetry (and one piece of flash fiction), and it’s our pleasure to provide a forum for worthwhile work. It’s our promise to continue doing so, and we hope to publish as many meaningful voices as possible.
We acknowledge both the necessity and urgency of these voices. The challenges our publishing, creative, and academic arenas currently face exist in a sociopolitical climate that relishes nothing more than acquiescence. There are powerful (and well-funded) forces investing in stifling discourse and discouraging the open and honest exchange of dialogue. Movable Type will champion diverse perspectives, which counteract apathy and inspire connection and community.
1455 can’t solve inequities and inefficiencies decades in the making, but we will make a tangible difference, one writer and reader at a time. To that end, you may notice we’ve changed the format of Movable Type. We want to take advantage of every technical opportunity to make our contributors’ work more accessible, shareable, and discoverable. Let us know if you have questions of feedback; we also welcome your support and encourage you to help us spread the word. This magazine will remain a work-in-progress, and we’re excited to embrace any and all ways we can celebrate storytelling!
FEATURED WRITERS
CALL FOR ESSAYS
1455 welcomes submissions for the next issue of Movable Type, publishing in January 2022. The theme of Issue #9 is “Connection,” and we invite you to send 1-3 poems, flash fiction (up to 1K words), or personal essay / memoir (up to 2K words) with the subject “MOVABLE TYPE SUBMISSION” to info@1455litarts.org.
We are also accepting early submissions for all issue themes in 2022:
- JANUARY – Connection
- MARCH – Power
- MAY – State of the Art
- JULY – Emerging Voices: Teen Poetry
- SEPTEMER – Storyteller Showcase: The Best of SummerFest
- NOVEMBER – Diversity & Beauty
EXPLORE MORE OF 1455
Get a glimpse into what makes your favorite creative types tick—from the writers who inspired them, to the weird habits that accompany the practice of writing, their favorite places in the world, and more. Check out this insightful series on our YouTube channel.
1455’s Moveable Feast is a new initiative bringing together directors of four distinct writing workshops based in different parts of the world who will offer writers a resource to find their community. Moveable Feast provides sponsored venues that curate readings, author talks, live interviews with writers, and other artistic events. Read more about Moveable Feast here.
Your gift of any amount will have a significant impact on our ability to reach a diverse and expansive community and help us to continue to build a global community of writers, artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, thinkers, and literary fans. Make a contribution at 1455litars.org/support.
