Difference between revisions of "Underground Literary Alliance"

From ZineWiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
 
(17 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
The '''Underground Literary Alliance''' is a Philadelphia-based, but internationally membered, group of writers, [[zinesters]] and [[DIY]] writers who seek to expose what they see as the corruption and insularity in the American book-publishing establishment while providing alternative avenues for writers who don't easily fit into mainstream institutions and agendas.<P>
+
[[Image:ULA_for_Wiki.jpg|frame|Mike Jackman, Yul Tolbert, Karl Wenclas, and Jeff Potter in Detroit, 2002]]  
  
Among many other activities, they have gained considerable attention for their exposure of an insular literary practice whereby [[establishment]] authors serve on juries to award monetary prizes to their writing friends. In particular they have been able to point out cases where the prizewinning authors are in fact already wealthy, and thus can be seen as taking money from other authors who actually need it.<P>
+
The '''Underground Literary Alliance''' is a Philadelphia-based, but internationally membered, group of [[zinesters]] and [[DIY]] writers who seek to expose what they see as the corruption and insularity in the American book-publishing establishment while providing alternative avenues for writers who don't easily fit into mainstream institutions and agendas.<P>
  
In general the ULA favors direct, [[vernacular]] writing over the more cryptic and mannered styles of the present-day academy. They present their literary aesthetic in their communal lit-zine, [[Slush Pile]].<P>
+
The ULA has gained attention for its criticism of a literary practice whereby establishment authors serve on juries to award monetary prizes to their writing friends, particularly in cases where the prizewinning authors are independently wealthy. It has also criticized the aesthetics of modern literary fiction.
 +
 
 +
In general, the ULA favors direct, vernacular writing over the cryptic and mannered styles taught in some academic programs. Members present their own literary aesthetic in their communal lit-zine [[Slush Pile]].
  
 
A quote from [[Karl Wenclas]], the organization's Publicity Director: "The Underground Literary Alliance is the most controversial writer's group in America. We stand up for writers, expose corruption in the publishing world, and work to create a fun & exciting alternative to the literary mainstream."
 
A quote from [[Karl Wenclas]], the organization's Publicity Director: "The Underground Literary Alliance is the most controversial writer's group in America. We stand up for writers, expose corruption in the publishing world, and work to create a fun & exciting alternative to the literary mainstream."
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
The Underground Literary Alliance has its roots in the independent [[zine]] scene that flourished in the 1990s. The founders of the group were zinesters who connected with each other through [[A Reader's Guide to the Underground Press]] or through other underground writers. These founders, and their zines, were: Karl Wenclas, ''New Philistine''; Michael Jackman, ''inspector 18''; [[Steve Kostecke]], ''Seoul in Slices''; Joe Smith, ''The Die''; Ann Sterzinger, ''Bottle-Fed''; and Doug Bassett, a literary theorist. The six of them met in Hoboken, New Jersey, in October, 2000, in order to launch the group and commence their activism by signing a statement of protest against a [[Guggenheim]] grant given to Rick Moody, an already-wealthy writer. The text of the statement read as follows:
 
  
''We the undersigned protest the year 2000 Guggenheim grant to well-known author Rick Moody, because it exemplifies the practice of giving financial assistance to already successful and affluent writers, well-connected, who clearly don’t need the help—while other writers abjectly struggle—and because this runs counter to the implicit charitable purpose behind the tax-exempt status of a foundation like John Simon Guggenheim.'' 
+
[[Image:SP5_for_Wiki.gif|frame|The cover of the ULA's latest issue of its communal lit-zine, [[Slush Pile]]]]
  
In addition to the six who met in Hoboken, this protest was later signed by over 30 other zinesters. It was also sent out to approximately 300 of the American lit world’s biggest-named writers, editors, and agents—but none of them signed.  
+
The Underground Literary Alliance has its roots in the independent [[zine]] scene that flourished in the 1990s. The founders of the group were [[zinester|zinesters]] who connected with each other through [[Zine World: A Reader's Guide to the Underground Press]] or similar channels. The founding members were [[Karl Wenclas]], [[Michael Jackman]], [[Steve Kostecke]], [[Joe Smith]], [[Ann Sterzinger]] and Doug Bassett. The six of them met in Hoboken, New Jersey, in October, 2000, and launched the campaign by signing a statement of protest against a Guggenheim grant given to weathly author Rick Moody. The text of the statement reads as follows:
  
Since its founding, the ULA has constantly engaged in its own brand of “[[literary activism]]” which has gained the group a notoriety for exposing what they see as corruption in the American literary world and for harshly criticizing corporate-promulgated literary fiction.  
+
''We the undersigned protest the year 2000 Guggenheim grant to well-known author Rick Moody, because it exemplifies the practice of giving financial assistance to already successful and affluent writers, well-connected, who clearly don’t need the help—while other writers abjectly struggle—and because this runs counter to the implicit charitable purpose behind the tax-exempt status of a foundation like John Simon Guggenheim.''
  
Current ULA members include [[Patrick Simonelli]], editor of litvision.org, [[Leopold McGinnis]], author of ''Game Quest'', [[Tom Hendricks]], creator of the Zine Hall of Fame, and poet Frank Walsh.
+
In addition to the six who met in Hoboken, this protest was later signed by over 30 others. It was also sent out to approximately 300 established writers, editors, and agents, although none of them signed.
 +
 
 +
The ULA has engaged in what it calls [[Literary Activism|literary activism]] through its zines, online, and in public protests. Its critical writings are often harsh and accusatory, while its protests usually involve comedy and performance art.
 +
 
 +
Noted members of the current ULA roster include publisher [[Patrick Simonelli]], novelist [[Leopold McGinnis]], zinester [[Tom Hendricks]] and poet [[Frank Walsh]].
  
 
The ULA launched its own independent press in 2006.
 
The ULA launched its own independent press in 2006.
  
==Literary Activism==
+
==Criticism and Controversy==
 +
The ULA has received criticism from inside and outside the zine community. Some have been put off by the group's aggressive approach to debate and promotion. Some ULA members have published (or continue to publish) zines, but self-publishers outside the group have criticized its focus on establishment literature.
 +
 
 +
Wenclas, the most consistently vocal member of the ULA, has engaged in lengthy online arguments (originally on [[alt.zines]], and now on his [[blog]][http://www.kingwenclas.blogspot.com]) with many ideological adversaries. ULA opponents have argued that the organization's stated emphasis on "spin" and "ballyhoo" contradicts its condemnation of openly narcissistic "postmodern" writing.
 +
 
 +
==Literary [[Activist|Activism]]==
 +
 
 +
[[Image:Natalie_Felix.jpg|frame|Poet Natalie Felix at the ULA's protest of Columbia's Howl tribute, 2006]]
 +
 
 
''Guggenheim Grant Protest''
 
''Guggenheim Grant Protest''
  
In late 2000, the six founders of the ULA signed a protest against the $35,000 Guggenheim grant awarded to Rick Moody, an already-wealthy author.
+
In late 2000, the six founders of the ULA signed a protest against the $35,000 Guggenheim grant awarded to Rick Moody, a successful author from a wealthy background.
  
''Debate with [[George Plimpton]] & [[The Paris Review]]''
+
''Debate with George Plimpton & The Paris Review''
  
In early 2001, the ULA held a press conference at [[CBGBs]] in New York City which was attended by George Plimpton, staffers at The Paris Review, and staffers of [[Open City]] magazine. The ULA debated with those who attended about what they perceive to be the irrelevancy and lack of integrity of the current realm of corporate/academia-sponsored literature.
+
In early 2001, the ULA held a press conference at CBGBs in New York City which was attended by George Plimpton, staffers at The Paris Review, and staffers of Open City magazine. The ULA debated with those who attended about what they perceive to be the irrelevancy and lack of integrity of the current realm of corporate/academia-sponsored literature.
  
 
''KGB Crash''
 
''KGB Crash''
  
In early 2001, the ULA crashed a literati reading at KGB in New York City. The members present disrupted the reading with arguments about how literature has died under the current corporate system – and were then thrown out of the venue.
+
In early 2001, the ULA crashed a reading at KGB in New York City. The members present disrupted the reading with outbursts and arguments, and were then thrown out of the venue.
  
 
''Wet Firecracker''
 
''Wet Firecracker''
  
Late 2001, the ULA protested against [[McSweeney’s]] being awarded Best Zine of the Year by the Firecracker Alternative Books Award because McSweeney’s does not fit their definition of [[zine]].
+
Late 2001, the ULA protested against McSweeney’s being awarded Best Zine of the Year by the Firecracker Alternative Books Award. McSweeney’s does not fit the ULA's definition of the word [[zine]].
  
 
''Cronyism in the Lit World''
 
''Cronyism in the Lit World''
  
The ULA protested the 2002 [[National Endowment for the Arts]] award of $20,000 to Jonathan Franzen, an already-wealthy author and highly-publicized best-selling author of The Corrections. Rick Moody was on the NEA panel, and the ULA contested that this was an example of the literati insularly awarding each other.  
+
The ULA protested the 2002 National Endowment for the Arts award of $20,000 to Jonathan Franzen, a famous and successful author. Rick Moody was on the NEA panel, and the ULA contested that this was an example of establishment insularity.
  
 
''Housing Works''
 
''Housing Works''
  
In early 2003, members of the ULA were kicked out of a reading at Housing Works in New York City after confronting the writers about the relevancy of the topics of their readings (one reader reciting a story about being a tree).
+
In early 2003, members of the ULA were kicked out of a reading at Housing Works in New York City after confronting the writers about their material. (One story was told from the point of view of a tree.)
  
 
''Amazon.com & the New York Times Article''
 
''Amazon.com & the New York Times Article''
  
In early 2004, a glitch at amazon.com revealed that [[David Eggers]] (of McSweeney’s and [[The Believer]] magazine) had posted an anonymous response to reviews he believed were posted by ULA members (as reported by the New York Times). David Eggers suggested that a series of negative reviews at amazon.com were the result of ULA members retaliating against an article about them in [[The Believer]]. As a policy, the ULA does nothing anonymously, and says the negative reviews were not posted by members of the ULA.  
+
In early 2004, a glitch at amazon.com revealed that David Eggers (of McSweeney’s and The Believer) had posted an anonymous response to reviews he believed were posted by ULA members (as reported by the New York Times). Eggers suggested that a series of negative reviews at amazon.com were written by ULAers in retaliation against a critical writeup in ''The Believer''. As a policy, members of the ULA do not communicate anonymously, and all of them denied writing the reviews.
  
 
''Howl Protest & the Associated Press Podcast''
 
''Howl Protest & the Associated Press Podcast''
  
In April 2006, the ULA protested against the reading of [[Allen Ginsberg]]’s [[Howl]] at Miller Theater at Columbia University, which they say was hosted by the elite literati and had no representation of the "underground," from which the [[Beat Generation]] had sprung. The AP covered the protest and reported on it by means of a podcast.
+
In April 2006, the ULA protested against a tribute to Allen Ginsberg’s ''Howl'' at Miller Theater at Columbia University, which they say was hosted by elitist academics and had no representation of the "underground" from which the Beat Generation had sprung. The AP covered the protest and reported on it in a podcast.
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
Line 57: Line 70:
 
*[http://asap.ap.org/stories/539853.s Associated Press podcast of the ULA protest of the Columbia University reading of ''Howl'']
 
*[http://asap.ap.org/stories/539853.s Associated Press podcast of the ULA protest of the Columbia University reading of ''Howl'']
 
*[http://www.literaryrevolution.com/files/wnyc_walsh.mp3 Audio of ULA poet Frank Walsh discussing the ULA on public radio station WNYC]  
 
*[http://www.literaryrevolution.com/files/wnyc_walsh.mp3 Audio of ULA poet Frank Walsh discussing the ULA on public radio station WNYC]  
*[http://www.literaryrevolution.com/action.html Literary Activism of the ULA (press archives)]
 
 
*[http://www.literaryrevolution.com Underground Literary Alliance website]
 
*[http://www.literaryrevolution.com Underground Literary Alliance website]
 
*[http://www.kingwenclas.blogspot.com King Wenclas blog]
 
*[http://www.kingwenclas.blogspot.com King Wenclas blog]
Line 63: Line 75:
 
*[http://www.3ammagazine.com/litarchives/2004/jan/interview_michael_jackman.html ''Swimming Against the Mainstream'' an interview with Michael Jackman]
 
*[http://www.3ammagazine.com/litarchives/2004/jan/interview_michael_jackman.html ''Swimming Against the Mainstream'' an interview with Michael Jackman]
 
*[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14813907&BRD=1291&PAG=461&dept_id=523592&rfi=6 ''Writers Beware!'' an interview with Steve Kostecke]
 
*[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14813907&BRD=1291&PAG=461&dept_id=523592&rfi=6 ''Writers Beware!'' an interview with Steve Kostecke]
*[http://www.undergroundpress.org A Reader's Guide to the Underground Press]
 
  
[[Category: Literary movements]]
+
 
[[Category: DIY Culture]]
+
 
[[Category: Activism]]
+
[[Category:Underground Press Associations]] [[Category:Musea Zine Hall of Fame]]

Latest revision as of 18:48, 8 May 2007

Mike Jackman, Yul Tolbert, Karl Wenclas, and Jeff Potter in Detroit, 2002

The Underground Literary Alliance is a Philadelphia-based, but internationally membered, group of zinesters and DIY writers who seek to expose what they see as the corruption and insularity in the American book-publishing establishment while providing alternative avenues for writers who don't easily fit into mainstream institutions and agendas.

The ULA has gained attention for its criticism of a literary practice whereby establishment authors serve on juries to award monetary prizes to their writing friends, particularly in cases where the prizewinning authors are independently wealthy. It has also criticized the aesthetics of modern literary fiction. In general, the ULA favors direct, vernacular writing over the cryptic and mannered styles taught in some academic programs. Members present their own literary aesthetic in their communal lit-zine Slush Pile. A quote from Karl Wenclas, the organization's Publicity Director: "The Underground Literary Alliance is the most controversial writer's group in America. We stand up for writers, expose corruption in the publishing world, and work to create a fun & exciting alternative to the literary mainstream."

History

The cover of the ULA's latest issue of its communal lit-zine, Slush Pile

The Underground Literary Alliance has its roots in the independent zine scene that flourished in the 1990s. The founders of the group were zinesters who connected with each other through Zine World: A Reader's Guide to the Underground Press or similar channels. The founding members were Karl Wenclas, Michael Jackman, Steve Kostecke, Joe Smith, Ann Sterzinger and Doug Bassett. The six of them met in Hoboken, New Jersey, in October, 2000, and launched the campaign by signing a statement of protest against a Guggenheim grant given to weathly author Rick Moody. The text of the statement reads as follows:

We the undersigned protest the year 2000 Guggenheim grant to well-known author Rick Moody, because it exemplifies the practice of giving financial assistance to already successful and affluent writers, well-connected, who clearly don’t need the help—while other writers abjectly struggle—and because this runs counter to the implicit charitable purpose behind the tax-exempt status of a foundation like John Simon Guggenheim.

In addition to the six who met in Hoboken, this protest was later signed by over 30 others. It was also sent out to approximately 300 established writers, editors, and agents, although none of them signed.

The ULA has engaged in what it calls literary activism through its zines, online, and in public protests. Its critical writings are often harsh and accusatory, while its protests usually involve comedy and performance art.

Noted members of the current ULA roster include publisher Patrick Simonelli, novelist Leopold McGinnis, zinester Tom Hendricks and poet Frank Walsh.

The ULA launched its own independent press in 2006.

Criticism and Controversy

The ULA has received criticism from inside and outside the zine community. Some have been put off by the group's aggressive approach to debate and promotion. Some ULA members have published (or continue to publish) zines, but self-publishers outside the group have criticized its focus on establishment literature.

Wenclas, the most consistently vocal member of the ULA, has engaged in lengthy online arguments (originally on alt.zines, and now on his blog[1]) with many ideological adversaries. ULA opponents have argued that the organization's stated emphasis on "spin" and "ballyhoo" contradicts its condemnation of openly narcissistic "postmodern" writing.

Literary Activism

Poet Natalie Felix at the ULA's protest of Columbia's Howl tribute, 2006

Guggenheim Grant Protest

In late 2000, the six founders of the ULA signed a protest against the $35,000 Guggenheim grant awarded to Rick Moody, a successful author from a wealthy background.

Debate with George Plimpton & The Paris Review

In early 2001, the ULA held a press conference at CBGBs in New York City which was attended by George Plimpton, staffers at The Paris Review, and staffers of Open City magazine. The ULA debated with those who attended about what they perceive to be the irrelevancy and lack of integrity of the current realm of corporate/academia-sponsored literature.

KGB Crash

In early 2001, the ULA crashed a reading at KGB in New York City. The members present disrupted the reading with outbursts and arguments, and were then thrown out of the venue.

Wet Firecracker

Late 2001, the ULA protested against McSweeney’s being awarded Best Zine of the Year by the Firecracker Alternative Books Award. McSweeney’s does not fit the ULA's definition of the word zine.

Cronyism in the Lit World

The ULA protested the 2002 National Endowment for the Arts award of $20,000 to Jonathan Franzen, a famous and successful author. Rick Moody was on the NEA panel, and the ULA contested that this was an example of establishment insularity.

Housing Works

In early 2003, members of the ULA were kicked out of a reading at Housing Works in New York City after confronting the writers about their material. (One story was told from the point of view of a tree.)

Amazon.com & the New York Times Article

In early 2004, a glitch at amazon.com revealed that David Eggers (of McSweeney’s and The Believer) had posted an anonymous response to reviews he believed were posted by ULA members (as reported by the New York Times). Eggers suggested that a series of negative reviews at amazon.com were written by ULAers in retaliation against a critical writeup in The Believer. As a policy, members of the ULA do not communicate anonymously, and all of them denied writing the reviews.

Howl Protest & the Associated Press Podcast

In April 2006, the ULA protested against a tribute to Allen Ginsberg’s Howl at Miller Theater at Columbia University, which they say was hosted by elitist academics and had no representation of the "underground" from which the Beat Generation had sprung. The AP covered the protest and reported on it in a podcast.

External links