ABOUT US
ARTISTIC COLLABORATIVE
thewaryeye.com/press
is a collaborative venture which espouses as its goal the publication
of bold new works of literary fiction, science fiction, graphic fiction
and emedia -- in whatever format is the most conducive, be it print or
electronic. The sole criteria is whether or not a work is of unique artistic
and literary achievement, a work that will set the pace for readers of
the twenty first century.
CORPORATE TAKEOVER
During the past twenty
years we have witnessed the destruction of the small independent press
by corporate takeovers in New York, and amidst the plunder all hopes for
writers of experimental fiction. Bottom line prefers predictability over
innovation -- genre books, sequels, best sellers for a mass audience --
the triumph of the commercial over the literary. Writers are promoted
on the basis of their trademark name and market value rather than for
their literary ingenuity. The result is that the superstore shelves are
stocked with titles offering predictable plots, talk show themes and reprints
of classics -- nothing new, nothing daring artistically nor intellectually.
Innovation will come
only from the small independent presses, as it always has, where publishers
have a hands-on enthusiasm for the work, in contrast to corporate handlers
with auditors overseeing their every decision.
THE SMALL PRESS
Small presses are
locked out of today's publishing industry, with low profit margins on
few titles, the game dominated by distributors who take 60% of the cover
price, leaving a small press in financial peril. Only pulp pays. Nor are
reviewers or awards committees cognizant of small press efforts, content
to rephrase the promo pieces provided by corporate publicists. Publishing
has become a whorl of Hollywood hype. Even if it were true that nobody
reads anymore, including editors, is that because of TV and ADD; or is
there simply nothing out there that's innovative and intriguing enough
to read.
Independent book stores
have declined over the past few decades as well, from approximately 9,000
nationwide in 1990 to as few as 2,700 today. The superstore chains have
grown to take their places -- Barnes & Noble alone approaching 900
outlets -- though profits remain elusive. Serious fiction could disappear
further in the aftermath. Mercifully amazon.com and other on-line sellers
have increased their share of total book sales, an indicator to us at
thewaryeye.com/press that the future of innovative book publishing
lies wholly on the web.
THE VERY WARY EYE
The publisher of thewaryeye.com/press,
Brian Gay, has placed his bets squarely on the web. A graduate of Boston
College and the Rhode Island School of Design, he brings a unique and
a younger perspective to this evolving industry. The book is no longer
bound to the printed page. Graphics and sound enliven a publication, and
not just as an afterthought, rather as an integral aspect of the conception
-- words that sing, illustrations that propel the story line, music that
punctuates it -- the only limitation that of the new writer/artist/composer's
imagination. The synergy of print and electronics enhance literary creativity
-- though to be sure, there's still room for print, curling up cozy quiet
with a book.
These are the goals
thewaryeye.com/press sets as its mission. The task is collaborative,
not corporate, requiring many hands in projects ablaze with creativity.
In truth, the resources of a small press are limited; but if the challenge
of a concerted effort -- along with the hope of a new century in literature
-- appeal, then don't hesitate to email us. Attach a sampling of a manuscript,
a portfolio, a video, a soundtrack, an electronic composition -- a sampling
of your most intensive work. Include a brief introduction of who you are,
even a snapshot, and what you as an individual strive to achieve. We will
make every effort to respond.
For details, refer to the submission guidelines.
Sincerely,
Brian Gay, Publisher
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