MAGICAL REALISM NEWS ~Autumn 2003
MARGIN INTRODUCES NEW ZINE
Margin made an appearance at the Portland Zine Festival August 1-3, offering a sneak preview of its new print companion, periphery: a magical realist zine. The four-page, four-color zine was offered as part of a raffle collaboration with The Aliform Group.The zine features computer-generated illustrations and work from Kathryn Kulpa, Virgil Suárez, Dennis P. Vannatta, Katherine Vaz and others.
The editors hope to attract an additional audience for literary magical realism with the venture. "Some readers want to be able to take something away with them, so periphery might be considered a portable form of Margin," says Tamara Sellman, founding editor.
The print zine, in a limited edition run of 200, will be available (via website sales and appearances at book fairs and conferences) through the end of July 2004, after which it will be retired. Sellman hopes to generate a second collectible for 2004 to be released upon the retirement of the current issue. Collectors and fans of magical realism may purchase it directly from Sellman for $1.50 (US funds). Proceeds from the sale benefit Margin's contributors.
MAGICAL REALISM PANEL FINDS FULL HOUSE AT WESTERCON
Bruce Taylor, consultant for Margin and founder of the Magic Realist Writers International Network, put in a good word for Margin at the annual WesterCon event held in Seattle over the 4th of July weekend. He spoke to a standing-room-only crowd for a panel focusing on magical realism and reported that Margin's presence there "generated a lot of interest."Taylor has attended and contributed to various sci fi and fantasy Cons over the years. He senses a growing interest in magical realism, especially among movie-goers. Taylor plans to present his magical realism panel next at VCon in October. In November, Margin founding editor Tamara Sellman will join the panel discussion at Orycon, to be held in Portland, OR.
READING LIST ENTRIES MULTIPLY
Margin's infamous Recommended Reading List grew by more than 260 entries this summer, following hundreds of tips and suggestions that readers have shared over the last year. The editors continue to comb through a pile of recommendations that's been growing since Margin first appeared online in December 1999. If a favorite work of magical realism (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children's literature or film) is not on the list, feel free to make an e-mail recommendation.KIDLIT DEPARTMENT A WORK IN PROGRESS
The anthology is still working out the bugs for its children's literature (or Kidlit) department. Pages and lists are being created, as well as leads for future articles and reviews. Anyone interested in contributing to Kidlit should contact the editors directly.MR. MAGIC REALISM COLLABORATES WITH MARGIN ON FILM PAGE
Consultant Bruce Taylor (a.k.a. "Mr. Magic Realism") is in the process of putting together a clearinghouse of magical realist film titles at his website. Margin will collaborate with Taylor by posting category highlights for the anthology's general readership, with links that will lead directly to Taylor's more comprehensive list. Look for an announcement later when the film collaboration pages go live.PAGE SPONSORSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE
Margin is now accepting paid page sponsorships! Please visit the new sponsorship page if your institution, company or organization would like to reach Margin's targeted readership through an affordable sponsorship program. All proceeds benefit the anthology's contributors.FELLOWSHIP GOES TO MAGICAL REALIST FROM ST. PAUL
In June 2003, columnist Ka Vang of St. Paul, MN won a Bush Foundation Artist Fellowship. Vang is interested in magic realism narratives, where "plausible everyday events blend with fantastic ones." Influenced by traditional Hmong storytellers, she seeks to incorporate oral history traditions into her writing.E-2INK AWARD DISSOLVES
Margin's editors were disappointed to learn that the E-2ink literary award (which some considered the Pushcart of the electronic press) was dissolved this past spring due to personnel and budgetary issues. Margin nominated Ozzie Nogg's wonderful story, "Blue Plate Special" for the award. Despite the loss of the award, the editors still think Ozzie's story is a winner.BESTSELLING AUTHOR GIVES HIS WORK AWAY
"So many readers complained that they could not find his books in Portuguese that Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho, one of the world's bestselling authors, took an unheard-of decision: he put all of his 10 books online. For free." Get the details in Brazil-Brasil.HOLD ON TO SUMMER A LITTLE WHILE LONGER...
The Endicott Studio has a wonderful, mermaid-oriented theme swimming through its Summer 2003 edition of the Journal of Mythic Arts. Not to be missed!MARGIN EDITOR JOINS FREE SPEECH CAMPAIGN
PEN USA's Freedom to Write committee has created a new First Amendment Action Committee for those interested in becoming activists for free speech in this country. Margin founding editor Tamara Sellman joined last spring and has already done some letter-writing for the committee."Right now there are so many potential curbs to free speech in this country that writers, editors, publishers, readers--anyone with an interest in literature, the arts, and expression--should be working double-duty to protect Constitutional birthrights," she said.
Those interested in joining the group may contact Eileen J. Moskowitz, the Freedom To Write Coordinator for PEN USA, at: 672 S. Lafayette Park Place, Suite 42, Los Angeles, CA 90057, or by e-mail (eileen@penusa.org).
UPCOMING RELEASES
Books
The Salt Roads by Nalo Hopkinson (Nov)
Fitcher's Brides by Gregory Frost (Dec)
Film
El Chupacabra (Oct)
Gothika (Oct)
Big Fish (Nov)
Video/DVD
Holes (Sept)
Interstate 60 (Oct)FOR WRITERS ONLY
Margin editors are still on a reading hiatus except for manuscripts submitted for the "Songs Spun In Island Time" Caribbean theme edition. A new reading period and schedule will be announced in the Winter 2004 edition of Margin slated for mid-January, as well as new contest opportunities. A host of new departments will also be opened up to unsolicited submissions at that time.Polyphony 4, published by Wheatland Press (PO Box 1818, Wilsonville OR 97070) announces an open reading period for this fourth volume in the critically acclaimed series. Deadline, October 15, 2003
The International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts announces The Global Fantastic, a call for papers for their 25th annual conference, to be held March 24-28, 2004 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Deadline, October 15, 2003.
TRAFFIC REPORT
Margin continues to see increases in pageviews at a conservative rate of 40% over last year's numbers. Tell your friends! Better yet, add a link to your website. Traffic referrals that send at least 25 readers will receive free link exchanges at our new sponsorship page.AUTUMN 2003 CALENDAR
September
BANNED BOOKS WEEK: Celebrate Your Freedom to Read, September 20-27 (see local bookstores and libraries for more information)OctoberMargin appearance at The Word on the Street literary festival, September 26-28, Vancouver BC
October 1, 2003 deadline ~ "Songs Spun In Island Time: Magical Realism from the Caribbean Islands" (see guidelines)NovemberOctober 1, 2003 deadline ~ Margin's magical realism poll. Haven't shared your opinions yet? Why not fill out our survey? Everyone welcome! Answers to appear at the website in January 2004
Margin appearance at VCon, October 10-12, Vancouver, BC
Margin appearance at Pacific Northwest Bookfest, October 17-19, Seattle, WA (PEN-Washington and Seattle Writers Association booths)
Margin appearance at OryCon, November 14-16, Portland, ORJanuary
January 15, 2004 ~ Margin's 4th Anniversary and launch of the Winter Edition!
Send your news items to Margin and we'll try to include them in upcoming issues. Deadlines: December 31 for the Winter edition; April 1 for the Spring edition; September 30 for the Autumn edition.
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