BLOCK

A while ago, a guy named Bill was feeling a bit wistful and asked, 'What’s in a name?' A couple of years later, two young editors are asking the same question.

Next year, we’re launching a new journal that'll offer publishing opportunities for writers, artists, poets and essayists from the ACT and surrounds. The first thing we need, though, is a name, and that's where you come in.

Think of a name for the new journal - a Canberra reference, a catchy quip, a memorable line, or a pithy word - and (aside from the immortality that'll be yours) we'll give you a copy of each issue as they're published. So, get your thinking caps on and tell us: what's in a name?

Flick your suggestions to Patrick and Cara at canberrajournal@gmail.com by               1 December 2011. 

Keep an eye out for our call for submissions and new website soon.

The launch is in one week.

19th November.

Smiths Bookshop.

Awesome.

Mark it in your calendar.

In less than a week you'll be able to get your hands on a copy of BLOCK 9: filled with vivid, tranquil and seat-hurtling poetry, fast-moving, rock n' rolling stories, this journal is good. Very good.

On a side note, I'd like to mention a couple of things that I think are cool:

I recently booked tickets for a trip to Cambodia and Vietnam and as a chronic over-researcher, have been reading every guidebook, blog and travel advisory I can lay my hands on. The other perhaps less practical but certainly more evocative source I turn to before travelling, is fiction.  

Don't forget, Blockers - the submissions deadline for Block 9 is Friday, September 18th.  That's this Friday!  We'd love to see some more creative work sent in; give us your short fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, and art!  See the submissions link above for details and guidelines.So, the other point of this post is to talk about what I've been reading, since you asked so nicely.                                                                    

Well, I’d say enough time has now passed for us to reflect on the launch of Block 7, seeing as it was in, oh, October... Rest assured, however, that our extended sabbatical from the website and prodding you all for submissions comes off the back of a highly successful launch and promotion of the journal, thanks to the efforts of our trusty band of editors.

The crowd gathers at Smiths Alternative Bookshop.

Book launches and the like are fun, there’s no questioning that. For the lucky guest, the only drawback could be the predictability of the whole affair. Too frequently, these kinds of events lack the tension and delicious uncertainty which make life spicier. When I signed on as one of BLOCK’s editors earlier this year, I didn’t realise that emotional investment could generate such excitement. In fact, as a virtual stranger to BLOCK and the zine and self-publishing world in general, I knew little about the sense of accomplishment which rewards every do-it-yourself effort. And it is worth it.