Sunday, October 17, 2010
Issue Three
Submissions are (always) open and the deadline for the third issue is Halloween, anticipated launch date mid-November! If you've been on the fence, submit what you have now because the plan for Issue Three is minimal binding, a much larger run, and free distribution in coffee shops and bookstores around central Calgary. Now's the best time to get your work in Laser! if you want to get your name out!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Laser! Issue Two Launched!
It's full of talent! It's cheap to buy! It looks like a grade 4 art project! Thanks again to Charlayne and Matt for the use of their apartment. Laser! is just flying! Tomorrow night it will make the rounds at the Auburn Saloon, where Passion Pitch Poetry is presenting Weyman Chan at 7.30. Hope to see you there!
On the side:
Despite working at a newspaper for a combined total of almost three years, I'd never seen the pressroom until today. Since Issue Two is newspaper themed, I couldn't help but notice some major differences between the two publications:
1. The newspaper presses are robots. Not people-shaped robots, but nonetheless they're pretty self-sufficient. Quality controllers pick up sections at random, check the colour, and then throw them into recycling. That's right: all people have to do during the printing stage is throw the occasional piece of paper in the trash. Note to self: get robots.
2. There are no cats trying to jump on the paper at the newspaper.
3. There are no cats trying to jump on the press at the newspaper.
4. The newspaper presses operate at approximately the speed of light.
I was vindicated to learn that sometimes the newsprint, on a long roll, breaks, and then winding it back through the press is as painful as threading a giant sewing machine. Also, my HP probably won't make me go deaf. So I guess, all told, Laser! and the newspaper are about even.
On the side:
Despite working at a newspaper for a combined total of almost three years, I'd never seen the pressroom until today. Since Issue Two is newspaper themed, I couldn't help but notice some major differences between the two publications:
1. The newspaper presses are robots. Not people-shaped robots, but nonetheless they're pretty self-sufficient. Quality controllers pick up sections at random, check the colour, and then throw them into recycling. That's right: all people have to do during the printing stage is throw the occasional piece of paper in the trash. Note to self: get robots.
2. There are no cats trying to jump on the paper at the newspaper.
3. There are no cats trying to jump on the press at the newspaper.
4. The newspaper presses operate at approximately the speed of light.
I was vindicated to learn that sometimes the newsprint, on a long roll, breaks, and then winding it back through the press is as painful as threading a giant sewing machine. Also, my HP probably won't make me go deaf. So I guess, all told, Laser! and the newspaper are about even.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Call for Submissions
The deadline for Issue Two is July 20-- here's the official call!
Poetry, visual art, fiction, non-fiction, whatever else your heart desires-- try me. Longer prose and poetry work is hard to accommodate in the pages of the magazine, but by August, which will mark the release of Issue Two, I expect to simultaneously publish online content. So send it anyway and we might find a place on the website-to-be. Tell your friends!
The best surprise of Issue One was all the "oh, I just dabble a little on the side" non-artists who pulled technically fabulous fully-formed works of art out of their asses. What are you hiding from? Worst that can happen is it's not a fit for the magazine. Even so, there MUST be a lot of entertainment value in my super-awkwardness whenever I have to admit I can't find a home your sweet brainchildren. Either you get entertained or you get published? WIN-WIN!!
Poetry, visual art, fiction, non-fiction, whatever else your heart desires-- try me. Longer prose and poetry work is hard to accommodate in the pages of the magazine, but by August, which will mark the release of Issue Two, I expect to simultaneously publish online content. So send it anyway and we might find a place on the website-to-be. Tell your friends!
The best surprise of Issue One was all the "oh, I just dabble a little on the side" non-artists who pulled technically fabulous fully-formed works of art out of their asses. What are you hiding from? Worst that can happen is it's not a fit for the magazine. Even so, there MUST be a lot of entertainment value in my super-awkwardness whenever I have to admit I can't find a home your sweet brainchildren. Either you get entertained or you get published? WIN-WIN!!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Issue One Launch
Tuesday, June 10 marked the birth of Laser! Issue One. All its family was delighted to see it emerge safe, sound, and accompanied by plenty of beer.
Many, many thanks to Charlayne and Matt, who offered their apartment (originally parking lot, but the weather was threatening hostility) for the launch party. Sunnyside was a great, central location and the turnout was fantastic. What a great night! I'm proud of the first issue, a little homely though it is-- the fact that the works inside weren't out in the world was inexcusable.
First run was 45 copies, all now sold or otherwise accounted for. Let me know if you need one and I may be able to make arrangements (not for your death-- for you to get a copy).
COMING SOON: LASER! Online.
But don't rest now: Start sending your submissions for Issue Two, due out in August!
Many, many thanks to Charlayne and Matt, who offered their apartment (originally parking lot, but the weather was threatening hostility) for the launch party. Sunnyside was a great, central location and the turnout was fantastic. What a great night! I'm proud of the first issue, a little homely though it is-- the fact that the works inside weren't out in the world was inexcusable.
First run was 45 copies, all now sold or otherwise accounted for. Let me know if you need one and I may be able to make arrangements (not for your death-- for you to get a copy).
COMING SOON: LASER! Online.
But don't rest now: Start sending your submissions for Issue Two, due out in August!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Laser! LAUNCH PARTY
Arts patrons Charlayne and Matt have been good enough to volunteer their balcony and parking lot for our first launch party! Come take a look at the magazine, buy beer (all proceeds to the magazine), listen to readings and mingle.
I just got back from vacation in Seattle. The lit-loving scene is hopping there because the people are chill. Get your copy, read it in a cafe and then sit around for a few hours drinking lattes and making something sharp for the next issue. If you get accused of loitering, tell the proprietor in the shortest words possible that s/he's the heart attack this town's bound to have. Or, you can always embrace our two snow-free months and finish your art in a park.
Look soon for Laser! online.
The party:
Behind 932 - 1 Avenue NW, Calgary (2 blocks from Sunnyside LRT)
Tuesday, June 8, 7 to 9 p.m.
Afterparty at Molly Malone's on Kensington Road.
I just got back from vacation in Seattle. The lit-loving scene is hopping there because the people are chill. Get your copy, read it in a cafe and then sit around for a few hours drinking lattes and making something sharp for the next issue. If you get accused of loitering, tell the proprietor in the shortest words possible that s/he's the heart attack this town's bound to have. Or, you can always embrace our two snow-free months and finish your art in a park.
Look soon for Laser! online.
The party:
Behind 932 - 1 Avenue NW, Calgary (2 blocks from Sunnyside LRT)
Tuesday, June 8, 7 to 9 p.m.
Afterparty at Molly Malone's on Kensington Road.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Laser! gets off!
Issue One is now in production. Thanks to everyone who submitted and please continue to send me your work. The quality of the art produced in this province blows me away. Stay tuned for launch party updates! My (and your) chance to brush shoulders with our local talent before they get too big for this city (more to come on that topic in Issue Two).
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