We Can Only Expand the Boundaries When We’re Up Against the Ropes: Gabrielle Calvocoressi and Brandon Scott Gorrell

Kaya Oakes, author of Slanted and Enchanted, reviews the work of two very different young poets: one who writes in the voices of historical figures, including Amelia Earhart’s mechanic and boxer Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, the other working in the genre of “Gmail Confessionalism.” Through these collections, Oakes traces the influence of parallel trends: the rapid expansion of MFA programs and the growth of digital publishing, showing us two very different points in the vast territory of contemporary American poetry.

Kaya Oakes, two Los Angeles independent record labels and I will be part of a panel discussion on independent media at Skylight Books, Sunday Sept. 27 5:00 pm. It would be great to see you there.

The Fanzine: Matthew Derby on Roberto Bolano

I’m a pretty huge advocate of Matthew Derby’s collection of short stories Super Flat Times and so I’m puffed up with pride to say that Derby’s review of Chilean novelist and poet Roberto Bolano’s The Skating Rink is now up on The Fanzine. Following the success of Bolano’s 2666, New Directions press is publishing the first English translations of some of Bolano’s work including this, his first novel. Derby is a former editor at McSweeney’s Believer and his review is as insightful and occasionally funny as one might expect. Fanzine will also be publishing an article from Derby on Stanley Kubrick’s Vietnam diptych Full Metal Jacket, apparently a subject of his fixation.

The Fanzine: Slanted and Enchanted and New Fiction from a New Russia

I recently started working as  an assistant editor at the internet magazine The Fanzine. I has a great, very wide range of arts and culture coverage — where you can learn about the latest in experimental fiction as well as betting tips for the Kentucky Derby.

Two recent pieces I’d like to recommend:

Rob Tennant’s review of Kaya Oakes‘ Slanted and Enchanted: The Evolution of Indie Culture:

“The question remains: Who is more ‘indie’ – the O.C.’s Seth Cohen or New York poet Frank O’Hara? In Slanted and Enchanted Kaya Oakes reframes the debate by creating a wide-ranging lineage of independent media and artists, defying the categorical limitations that have arisen around the term in recent years. Mike Watt, Kathleen Hanna, David Berman and cartoonist Daniel Clowes all make appearances. Rob Tennant asks the ramifications of this heritage for the current state of independent culture.”

Also Olena Jennings’ review of Tin House Books’ Rasskazy: New Fiction from a New Russia. Jennnings shows how the shadows and literary tropes of the Soviet Union hangs over the Putin and Medvedev’s Russia. Also, Jennings brings insights into the translation process.