Through the Gate: can we help?
I became a fan of Mitchell Hart's work when he solicited a poem for the first issue of inkscrawl, a magazine of very short poetry. It filled a niche in the field, the website was minimalistic and elegantly designed, and I thought his selections for the first issue were excellent. So were his selections for the next issue, and the next. When Mitchell announced that he could no longer edit inkscrawl, I offered to take it over as a publisher, with Samantha Henderson as the editor, and occasional guest editors. In the process of taking the reins over from Mitchell, I learned some details: that he is very young (back then just starting his undergraduate degree), and that he was strained for resources.
Some time later Mitchell returned, eager to edit more poetry. He guest-edited an issue of inkscrawl, and then founded Through the Gate, in which he published wonderful works by many of my favorite poets - Sonya Taaffe, Michelle Bannister, Mat Joiner, Dom Parisien, Mari Ness, and others. My favorite issue of the magazine was the second, in which only three poems appeared: by Bogi Takács, myself, and Sonya Taaffe. I admired Mitchell's courage in choosing only three poems for the issue; I loved the way these poems worked together, in dialogue with each other. I often thought his selections were pitch-perfect.
There has not been an issue in a year.
I have recently written to Mitchell to ask how he was doing, and heard back that there'd been some logistical trouble with transfering universities; I also heard back that Mitchell is trying to put himself through his BA, and is very strained for resources.
Well, I think it's a loss for the field. There is a lot of great poetry being written right now, and not so many good venues; and I think that a venue with a strong, consistent editorial voice is a delight.
I asked Mitchell how much he needs, and between hosting, domain fees, and putting out regular issues of more than 3 poems each, we're looking at 150-200$ a year. I am sure that if we can raise this relatively small sum, a full year of Through the Gate is going to be wonderful. I also would love to see the community support a young editor.
I've written, some time ago, an essay on the power of a single copper coin. Community fundraising for venues might not be a perfect model, but it's also something that attests to our power as a community, to create and support each other's art.
So, if you feel like helping, here is the handy paypal button:
Some time later Mitchell returned, eager to edit more poetry. He guest-edited an issue of inkscrawl, and then founded Through the Gate, in which he published wonderful works by many of my favorite poets - Sonya Taaffe, Michelle Bannister, Mat Joiner, Dom Parisien, Mari Ness, and others. My favorite issue of the magazine was the second, in which only three poems appeared: by Bogi Takács, myself, and Sonya Taaffe. I admired Mitchell's courage in choosing only three poems for the issue; I loved the way these poems worked together, in dialogue with each other. I often thought his selections were pitch-perfect.
There has not been an issue in a year.
I have recently written to Mitchell to ask how he was doing, and heard back that there'd been some logistical trouble with transfering universities; I also heard back that Mitchell is trying to put himself through his BA, and is very strained for resources.
Well, I think it's a loss for the field. There is a lot of great poetry being written right now, and not so many good venues; and I think that a venue with a strong, consistent editorial voice is a delight.
I asked Mitchell how much he needs, and between hosting, domain fees, and putting out regular issues of more than 3 poems each, we're looking at 150-200$ a year. I am sure that if we can raise this relatively small sum, a full year of Through the Gate is going to be wonderful. I also would love to see the community support a young editor.
I've written, some time ago, an essay on the power of a single copper coin. Community fundraising for venues might not be a perfect model, but it's also something that attests to our power as a community, to create and support each other's art.
So, if you feel like helping, here is the handy paypal button:
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