The crowd gathers at Smiths Alternative Bookshop.
Book launches and the like are fun, there’s no questioning that. For the lucky guest, the only drawback could be the predictability of the whole affair. Too frequently, these kinds of events lack the tension and delicious uncertainty which make life spicier. When I signed on as one of BLOCK’s editors earlier this year, I didn’t realise that emotional investment could generate such excitement. In fact, as a virtual stranger to BLOCK and the zine and self-publishing world in general, I knew little about the sense of accomplishment which rewards every do-it-yourself effort. And it is worth it.
Editor Emily Stewart and contributor Thomas Connelly (above), contributor Dannette Seward and editor Julia Szabo (below).
For issue six, we were lucky enough to have two safety-nets in the form of funding from the ANU and ArtsACT, and ample and generous publicity from local networks such as the ACT Writers’ Centre, Woroni, Voiceworks, and the Canberra Times. Yet in spending to expand our fledgling journal – three years old this year – new uncertainties thankfully manifested. Our high-wire act continued, as daring and thrilling as before. As the talented writers and artists who read and contribute to BLOCK would know, what is unplanned forces innovation, and the chaotic conglomeration of unconnected ideas is often the best source of inspiration.
Speeches: owner of Smiths Alternative Bookshop, Peter Strong (above), special guest Marion Halligan (below).
On the surface, nosuch catastrophic derailment spurred May’s BLOCK launch into a higher plane of existence. Yet beneath the smoothly run evening, something was a little off-kilter in a delectably exciting way. I could tell it from the way my fellow editors cleared the space and prepared the food and drink, though outwardly, they displayed no signs. I could tell it from the way the crowd grew and grew and grew, until the entirety of the venue, Smiths Alternative Bookshop, was abuzz with voice and laughter. I even fancifully imagined the cat on the cover of special guest Marion Halligan’s The Apricot Colonel to be purring with anticipation. Something genuinely exciting was happening.
Readings: Nythia Sambasivam, Andrew Galan, Alice Allan.
Indeed, if anything the energy expanded when we approached the business end of the evening. Our host, Sophie Lamond, effortlessly managed the celebrations and congratulations, and speeches were made by Marion Halligan and shop owner Peter Strong. In particular, the live readings by Nithya Sambasivam, Andrew Galan, Alice Allan, David Free and Thomas Connelly, added a spontaneity to the evening which we hope to replicate in later issues by recording selected works on audio CD. Yes, issue 7 is on the horizon, and already brave new ideas are percolating. Many thanks to all guests, contributors and organisers for making BLOCK possible – and we extend our pre-emptive gratitude to all future contributors, editors, and innovators. Let’s keep things exciting.
Submissions for BLOCK7 are currently being accepted at submissions@blockjournal.com. We accept original fiction, non-fiction, poetry, art and photographs suitable for printing in black and white and A5 size. The deadline is 12/09/08.