Writer and journalist Alan Lytle interviews Katerina Stoykova about the upcoming 10 year anniversary of Accents Publishing.
Accents is about to celebrate a milestone – 10 years of publishing. Take me back to the days when you were trying to get this idea off the ground. What were some of the obstacles you had to overcome?
I wanted to create the press that I’d want to be published by. At the time I had just become the author of two poetry books, one published by an American press, another by a Bulgarian press. Both experiences taught me a lot about the process, and I found myself having strong opinions about what worked well and what could have been better. I had experience as an author and as an editor, but none as a publisher. That part I had to learn through trial and error. We decided that we wanted to be an independent press, so we relied on ourselves for any bootstrapping investments and equipment. We started with handmade chapbooks. We actually physically produced all copies of the first dozen titles in our catalog. My business partner (and husband at the time) Dan Klemer is an engineer and he designed several fixtures to streamline a production line in our dining room area. The first floor of our home was packed with books, reams of paper, printers, boxes, toner cartridges, a paper cutter, a book-binding machine, glue strips, stacks with company documents, envelopes of various sizes, and a small mountain of post office receipts. Once, the now late poet and publisher Charlie Hughes visited us to prerecord an interview, and a year later inquired, “I’ve been meaning to ask, that place … do you actually live there?” So, for a bit of time, Accents Publishing was pretty much my whole life, needed all my time, but I was happy to pour all my attention into it. I had to be mindful, though, to not abandon my own writing, so I made a concerted effort to balance working on other people’s writing with continued commitment to my own. I’d say this balance has been the biggest challenge through the years. That, and constantly having to be on top of records to pay sales tax four times a year.
Talk about the mixture of emotions you felt as that first publication came out. What do you remember? What did you learn from that experience?
We released the first two Accents chapbook simultaneously in a book launch celebration at Common Grounds Coffee Shop. It was February 5th, 2010. The authors were Jim Lally, a retired teacher/farmer, and Jude Lally, a man in his mid twenties, tied to a wheelchair due to progressive Friedreich’s Ataxia. The building was bursting at the seams with a standing-room-only crowd. We sold out of all copies we had. I was a bit nervous, but also elated. I had had a dream the night before in which I saw a series of blessings for the new beginning, so I carried that confidence with me to the book launch.
Describe the moment (how far was it in the process) when you could exhale with the full knowledge that Accents was here to stay.
I always knew Accents was here to stay. There was/is a need for a press like Accents and I believed in the principle “if you build it, they will come”. I also believed in the capability of the Accents team to make smart artistic and business decisions and to fully deliver on commitments. So, I guess the moment when I exhaled with the relief that we have something of value was the moment I decided to commit to building Accents into the physical world. I remember the constant buzz of creative excitement, the brainstorming, the joy of the possibilities, the hard work, the learning, the marvel at how everything was coming together.
What do you think makes Accents unique as a publishing company?
I’m not so sure anymore. We started with handmade chapbooks and I used to say that I’ve personally printed, trimmed and shipped every one of our books. As the books became popular, however, we had to give up this practice and start sending our books to be “professionally” printed. That was bittersweet – we lost our unique look, but gained the potential to publish thicker books with glossy, color covers. Then I used to say that we’re a poetry publisher, but now we’re starting to branch into novellas, collections of short stories, memoirs. Are we becoming more like other presses? Probably so. We like to adopt best practices of independent publishing, even though we reinvented a few wheels. If I have to point to one thing that may make us unique, it would be our willingness to adapt.
Describe what you’re putting together for the February 4th anniversary party at the UK Art Museum.
We’re thankful to the UK Art Museum for their hospitality and for the opportunity to celebrate our milestone among the highest quality works of art. Every poet who has ever published a book with us, or had an individual poem in one of our anthologies or magazines is invited to read. We have a fantastic lineup of authors and expect a great turnout. There will be refreshments, awards, surprises, giveaways. In the days and weeks leading up to the event, we will feature a series of interviews with Accents Publishing authors looking back on their Accents books and/or sharing current and future creative plans.
As you get ready to celebrate the milestone what are you most gratified, thankful, or proud of regarding Accents Publishing?
I am proud that we have persisted and survived. I am grateful that the vision for Accents not only hasn’t diminished, but has in fact expanded with exciting and innovative ideas. I am thankful for the support of the readers, authors, the media, the local and global poetry communities. I am grateful for the gifts Accents has brought into my life, for how this labor has changed me over the years, for how enriched I feel after everything read, edited, published. I feel gratitude for witnessing dozens of transformations of authors into writers. I am grateful for the beauty and the miracle of it all.
What’s your vision for the next ten years for Accents?
We do have plans! It is important for Accents to be a vital part of the contemporary literary conversation. We want to continue building and serving the community. I’d like for us to continue establishing ourselves as a premiere poetry publisher. We expect to release a series of novella-length books and memoirs, and also add short story collections to our catalog. We plan to offer writing classes and manuscript services, organize writing retreats. And we have a new goal of further developing the Accents Publishing blog and posting regular and relevant content. And more!
What advice would you have for someone who wants to start their own business be it a publishing company or some other venture?
Start small and know what your goals are.
Do have faith that you’ll manage.
Do not overcommit.
Avoid debt.
Review your goals often and let them evolve.
Rest is part of the process.
If you do not love doing it, do something else.
