‘Infinity in the palm of your hand’: a symposium about small poetry press publishing

Featuring contributions from six different publishers, this half-day symposium on Friday 13 October at Headington Campus will explore some of the pressing topics related to independent and small press poetry publishing in the UK and US today.

Running from 2.00-5.00pm UK time in CLC.G.06, the symposium will be followed from 6.00-7.30pm in JHB 208 by a poetry reading with a special pamphlet showcase, supported by the Think Human Festival.

Both the symposium and reading are free to attend and there are in-person and online options for attendance.

The symposium will feature a panel of six publishers: Bad Betty Press, Black Sunflowers Poetry Press, Gunpowder Press, ignitionpress, The Poet’s House Pamphlets, and Two Rivers Press.

Some of the topics to be discussed during the symposium will be:
- Setting up a poetry press
- Establishing an ethos or vision for the press
- Funding and sustainability
- Selecting poets
- Editing
- Design and production
- Developing the press
- Building community.

We will be warmly encouraging members of the audience, whether in the room or online, to get involved and contribute their thoughts to the discussion.

As a poetry pamphlet publisher, we’re always keen to promote the pamphlet form, so we’re also inviting audience members (again - whether you’re coming to Oxford or attending online) to bring your favourite poetry pamphlet to the event. There will be some time to share your enthusiasm for it during the symposium!