Call
for chapbook-length submissions:
As of September 1st, 2006 NeOPP is proud to invite chapbook manuscripts (up to 30 pages) of poetry or prose to be considered for publication in our new and exciting lo-tech print series. Work of and/or on collaboration will be particularly favored (for others, there's plenty of regular small presses around).
What
do we mean when we say “manuscript”?
Complete and coherent (or purposefully and intentionally incoherent) work of literature that functions both independently and in context of the authors’ opus and his/her/their perception of literary and artistic expression.
Send your work by email (unless otherwise arranged following an email query letter), attached in Rich Text Format, with contact information and a brief hello in the body of the message.
Our address is-- neopp [ at ] tashogi [ dot ] com
What
do we mean when we say “30 pages’?
At the moment we still don’t know what that means, but if you happen to stumble over a pile of chapbooks in your local independent bookstore, pick up one (buy it if your finances allow it) and study it closely. What did the author manage to put in it? How does it look? How does it read? How does it feel under your fingers? How does it smell? What do you like about it? What would you do differently if it were your book? NeOPP is looking for authors who have an “organic” relationship with their work, who dream of colors and covers, fonts and layouts, but who are also prepared to work with us on a project that will necessarily develop a life of its own and be a product of our joint creativity.
What
do we mean when we say “poetry”?
A text that would contain meaning, or not (following the premise that a lack of meaning also means something), a set of ideas delivered in a corresponding form. In other words, don’t tire yourself with definitions, if you call it poetry we’ll call it poetry and instruct the rest of the world to follow suit.
What
do we mean when we say “prose’?
See previous answer then return here… Done? Okay. We’d only like to add that we encourage potential authors not to think in terms of “fiction” and “nonfiction”. If anybody would care to lucidly elaborate the difference between the two (in 30 pages), he, or she, or they would certainly earn their place in this series. This aside, we’d particularly invite everyone to further explore and develop the idea of authorship as collaboration, either in theory or in practice. To us it appears that the world is getting dangerously low on fresh thought, therefore we call upon you to invent new ways in which society and culture could function. What is the metaphysical equivalent of the cell phone? What do the Internet and intimate relationships have in common? If the civil sector would suddenly get all the resources of the war industry what would it do with it?
What
do we mean when we say “considered”?
Your work will be read and responded to in the shortest possible time. Have in mind there are only two of us, and have in mind that we’ll have you on our minds. Until we get back to you you’ll lay on these minds of ours like sacks of cement. It will be a terrible burden, hence – we WILL get back to you. We’ll also include any comments we might have, for your, but mainly for our peace of mind. Only a limited number (right now it’s 10) of manuscripts will be developed.
What
do we mean when we say “publication”?
Each work will be published with an ISBN. Each will be initially produced in 50 copies. The author(s) will receive 10 copies. This will be his/her/their only compensation. NeOPP will keep 5 copies. 10 copies will be mailed to reviewers chosen by authors & NeOPP (postage paid by NeOPP). 5 copies will be available for exchange through the Portable Chapbook Exchange Archive. 20 copies will be offered to the general public, exclusively through this website in an attempt to break even. 5 of those will be sold in a box-set (or a bag-set) with copies of other 9 titles.
Upon the above-detailed disposal of the initial run there are at least 4 alternatives from which the author(s) will choose:
1-- If there is enough reader interest NeOPP will produce a second edition (again 50 copies) to be sold through this website and other channels with all profits split equally between the author(s) and NeOPP.
2-- The material and instructions for further production will be passed on to the author(s) who will be free to produce and sell any many copies and/or editions as they like, with no financial obligation to NeOPP. Our only wish is that all the copies still bear the name of the press.
3-- The work will be offered online, free, via this or any other website.
4-- Any other arrangement suggested by the author(s) that makes even half sense.
A contract to this effect will be composed only at the author(s) request. These terms are non-negotiable. If you fear you might be taken advantage of, please, don’t send us your work. All work remains sole property of its author(s).
*What
do we mean when we say “lo-tech”?
The chapbooks will be manufactured through the process based on our limited technical skills, limited budget, limited time, and clear focus. Yet we intend to use these limitations as creative constrains, meaning that the final artifact will rise above them. All covers will be original (limited edition) prints, page layout will correspond to the demands of the text, paper will be recycled, instead of a printing press a photocopier and printer will be used.
What
do we mean when we say “series”?
Presently, we’re planning to publish 10 titles in, as of yet, undetermined period of time. Since it is our first print venture there will be some hitches and delays. On the other hand, the fact that we consider it to be the first series should tell you there’ll be more. So hold on.