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| Bravest Lil' Jenn Publishing : Email Interview with Jenn, gal behind Bravest Lil' Jenn Publishing : March 28, 2006 |
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1. What drove you to create this project and what keeps you at it? Before I moved to Missoula, I lived in the plains town of Great Falls, Montana. For young writers, there were not many opportunities. So, I started the Great Falls Writers Forum, which was an open-mic designed evening of poetry once a month, geared towards young people. After I moved to Missoula for college, my intent was to start the same thing here, but Missoula has a much bigger writing scene. So instead, I chose to start Bravest Lil Jenn. I felt like it'd be a good opportunity to get people who know little about zines involved with small press. 2. Does anyone work on this with you? I have help from my roommate and boyfriend, Tyson. He is very supportive and I often table at events he sets up in town. I also work with a variety of artists and writers who release books with me. Right now, local artist David Johnson has helped to form ads for BLJ, my friend Becca Sayre designed the website, and touring solo musician Drew Danburry and I are working on a book of stories together. 3. Tell me about the historical cook book. What's up with that? Any release date ideas? Hopefully by August, we will release "Mixing Pot: A Historical Cookbook of Missoula, Montana." I want it to point out the historical importance of our city through the eyes of younger kids who've lived here. I want it to point out some of the interesting facts, like the brothels that used to exist and the underground tunnels beneath the university. It will be like a d.i.y. tour of Missoula. With recipes. 4. How did you come to be involved in children's books? The great thing about children's books is that there is no pressure to be a literary genius. All you need is a good story and a silly way of telling it. I enjoy writing for kids because they make things seem brighter and they are always appreciative of what you do. I am hoping next year to go on a tour reading to children. I think that would make every day so much fun. 5. Tell me about the tour journal of Tummy rock bands. Tyson Ballew runs Tummy Rock Records. It is a small CDR label that recently took a hiatus from releasing anything. I am trying to convince him to become more active with it and releasing a book of stories of bands past and present. 6. I've asked about the projects I'm aware you're working on, are there any others you'd like to talk about? I am currently teaching a class on Alternative Press at the University of Montana. The students [a whopping four of them] are learning about zines and just put together their first books. We are going to have a release party/reading for them on April 20th. I am hoping to make a zine shortly thereafter of my first ever class, with their zines included. I also distro arts and crafts. Right now, I sell "Lil Softies," monster-shaped stuffed toys. Soon they will each have a small book to go with them, which will explain each of the characters. 7. I want to get in to the technical aspects of the publishing. How do you go about this/what equipment do you use? I spend most of the week at Kinkos. Thank God for the student discount. I run most things out of my apartment and try to find recycled things to use as much as possible. It helps when friends buy me gift cards to local craft stores, too. 8. What zines are you reading right now? I just picked up Erin Tobey's Here It Is ..2 and "Drawings" by Friends and Relatives Records. We like to ask everyone this one : List any 5 songs in your most current (last listened to) playlist. 1. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins "Rise Up With Fists" 2. Tender Forever's entire new album, "The Soft and the Hardcore" 3. Beth Orton "Heartland Truck Stop" 4. Ghost Mice new album "Europe" 5. and local band Helmet Tag's CD at the college radio station |