December 24, 2010
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black coffee press update and brief history
black coffee press was founded on an idea, a thought. to find good writing, to let indie writers be heard in a sea of mediocrity. anytime i turn on the news and find out snookie from jersey shore has a book deal i know it’s a sign of the apocalypse and that all hope is lost as far as the rest of us are concerned. that being said, i want to put into perspective what is we do at black coffee press and how things get done, got started or ever see the light of day.
one of my favorite record labels is fat possum records and their motto for the longest time has been, “we’re trying our best” and the whole concept of that statement came from the two gentlemen who started the company, Matthew Johnson and Peter Redvers-Lee. they came up with it based on what they were trying to do, deliver mississippi blues music to the masses and be successful at it. that’s an impossible thing to do. it’s like trying to seal up a head wound with a band-aid, it’s just not gonna happen. but they went ahead and did it anyway, hoping someone on their label would make it big and help continue to fund what they do. and what they do is so important to the integrity of the blues and to music in general. anyway, the slogan came out of their desperation for trying to make things happen. it’s an uphill battle and struggle to continually light the dream and keep it lit no matter what.
when scott and i started this publishing label we had no illusions about what it would take, what it would do to us, our friendship or how stressful it would be. we knew it could be fun, that it would take time to build up and that life would get in the way, again and again. we also knew we were tired of standing on the sidelines watching shitty book after shitty book get published and no one ever seem to care or take notice. it’s been a roller coaster ride, one with great highs and great lows. we’ve learned who we can count on and who we can’t. we’ve gone through two press companies, published six books and have a long and talented list of writers we can’t wait to put into print.
all of this comes with hours of work and no pay. all of this comes with a cache of circulating dollars that just barely eek out enough money to keep going. we have never paid ourselves, never been in a position to sit back and hire help. bottom line, we do what we do because we love the written word. we both have 9-5 jobs, we both have kids, a family and life outside of black coffee press that ultimately causes both of us to work late into the evening and early into the morning trying to take care of and do the one thing we’ve always wanted to do. and that’s run black coffee press and make it successful in every way possible.
and we’ve seen great successes. most of them have been through lip service, a few noteworthy articles and worthy praise every time we release a new writer. a wise man once said, “do what you love and love what you do.”. There’s a reason for that, life is long, brutal and can be in many ways unfair, but if you find something you believe in, hold on to, make it happen and push it into reality. we’re trying to do that. for all of us, for some of us, for anyone willing to believe in a small press and indie writers and good words. that’s what we want at black coffee press and that’s what we continue to keep pushing for.
we are currently looking for new writers, new submissions and new people who are interested in screaming out to the world. we are putting together an anthology of work, entitled project x. this will have anywhere from 40 to 70 writers, poets and wordsmiths in it. if you feel like you have something to say and would like to submit then by all means, feel free. submit at www.blackcoffeepress.net via our submissions area, please make sure to place project x in the subject line. those that have already submitted for project x and heard back from us you are already taken care of and need not worry. life is good.
thank you for reading, for listening, for being a fan or for just basically sticking around,
sincerely,
thomas michael
black coffee press
Comments (14)
it isn’t because of the mission…it is because of you.
Thank you for your post. I can really see your passion and dedication. I wish for all the success to come your way (and to BCP). ps: I ordered your CD ..can’t wait
I absolutely love what you guys do. It gives me a lot of hope, and I can’t wait to have something finished and good enough to submit to you guys. I would love for the chance to be published by BCP. It would mean more to me than being published by a big company, simply because I feel like it’s part of the community here, and because I read and respect the authors who started it. And hey, if you ever need an unpaid intern, you know where to find me. I can always use something to put on my resume after all.
Merry Christmas, and all the best for the coming year!
I respect what you’re doing.
@awoolham - you should be getting it any day now. hope you enjoy it. let me know what you think. i’m very curious to how it will be received as an audio.
@Bricker59 - thank you very much and merry christmas to you too.
@I_once_was - awe shucks, am i blushing. just kidding. thank you much. your support is always appreciated.
@AmeSoeur - thank you. i really appreciate your feedback. it’s awesome feeling to know people are behind what you do and believe in it. thanks much. and if we ever get to a point where we can take on an intern, you be at the top of the list.
and believe me when i say there are many, many days when i wish we had interns, help, secretary…anything. lol.
What an awesome post! It’s truly a reflection of all the hard work and dedication you and Scott have put into Black Coffee Press! You both are an amazing example of taking a dream and running with it, putting heart and soul into it and watching that dream take flight. I hope 2011 is filled with so much success for BCP! Merry Christmas!
It just came in ! I’m going to be listening in the car during my long drive to Florida .. So psyched!! Just in time
Wow that’s fantastic.
Black Coffee Press all the way, my friend.
@KevinRichardWhite - thanks kevin and merry christmas.
The passion and dedication you and Scott bring to BCP rings through in everything you do. I am in awe of the miracles you routinely perform and the grace with which you make it all look easy. You should be so proud. I know I’m so very proud to be a part of it. Merry Christmas, Tom – wishing you and your family love and laughter.