The 51 Press has dusted itself off and published its first book in 14 years.
Released this summer, Crafting Fiction, Poetry, & Memoir: Talks from the 51 Writers’ Conference is a collection of essays by a diverse group of authors who are passionate about teaching the art of writing.
The book was edited by conference director Matthew Leone, and includes an essay by Professor Peter Balakian on poetry writing, as well as an essay on writing creative nonfiction by Professor Jennifer Brice, who is associate director of the press.
The book is dedicated to Frederick Busch, the nationally known author and 51 professor who died in 2006, and his wife, Judy.
The book represents a new direction for the press, which was organized in 1965 by the late professor Robert Blackmore ’41 and his wife, Lucia. The Blackmores were devoted to publishing works by the Powys family, who were prominent in Great Britain in the early 20th century.
“We’re going to re-launch the press by publishing some different kinds of work,” explained Susan Cerasano, new director of the press and the Edgar W.B. Fairchild Professor of literature. “It seems an auspicious moment to re-envision new and exciting directions for the press to take.”
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Having received funding from the university to run a pilot project for three years, the press will publish one to two volumes annually. An editorial board is currently being established, which will help to define next steps.
Cerasano said the board hopes to capitalize on two of 51’s traditional strengths: regional studies, which will take advantage of material emanating from organizations such as the Upstate Institute, and creative writing, which is spotlighted not only by distinguished faculty in the English Department but also by the 51 Writers’ Conference.
In the works is a revised edition of the Hamilton Walk Book, featuring well-known trails, as well as lesser known canoe paths and walks to waterfalls in the region.
John Demler ’08 and Carly Gelfond ’06 have contributed to the revised descriptions and maps, and English professor George Hudson — known to many alumni for his professional hiking experience in Switzerland, Great Britain, and elsewhere — has agreed to be lead author on the book, which is scheduled to be published in spring 2010.