Friday, April 08, 2005

What D'Ya Think?

I've always said I was going to publish my own poetry journal some time in the future. It's something I've wanted to do since I was editor of my high school literary magazine. I'd thought that I would wait until John and I moved someplace further North when we "retired," and we might also run a cafe gallery--possibly with the same name.

But I've been depressed about work, the whole corporate track, and discouraged about the possibilities of publishing the manuscript I have completed. I need something else to care about and work on--though time and money are short. And so I've decided to make that sometime sooner rather than later, to start working toward that goal now.

The magazine will contain poetry and b&w photography. (John will be photo editor, natch.) Of course our "press" will be digital. There's a lot to do and I've got a lot to learn. But first, we need a name.

I've been thinking about this for ages. It seems all the good names are taken. For godsakes, all the bad names are taken too! But last night I couldn't sleep and something came to me. I'll admit it's weird. But I'm hoping people will think about it and tell me what they think. [I'm not sure it's a good idea to solicit advice on names. I knew too many people who did that when they were expecting and people said, "Nah..." I always said, tell 'em after! 'Course when we told our families our son's name after he was born, they both told us what they thought anyway (negative!). Yes, both sides of the family agreed on that. Even so, I want to know what all of you think. The journal name: MARCO/POLO.

Yes, I know it doesn't even conjure up poetry or even art, but, well, let's hear what you think before I give my reasons. Or suggest something else to me. I'm not sold on it. I hope to get some comments from other bloggers here. Please.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

I'd say "go for it." Life is too short. Regret that you did it x way or y way rather than ever regretting having not done it.

Marco Polo works...implies the kids game of call response. Playful.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the comment, David. Yeah, I like the kid's game implication. This is what I emailed Robert when I thought of it:

What do I like about it?

--It isn't place specific. I guess since Marco Polo was European (Italian?) and traveled through Asia, it could be considered vaguely imperialistic, but, well, it's not as bad as Cortez...
--It has euphony.
--I like the way it is used as a game in swimming pools.
--Going with the above: just as Mark Twain was a call that sounded like and was used as a name, this is a name that sounds like a call.
--It doesn't seem to be predisposed to any particular kind of poetry or photography. I mean an opera name might sound classic or classy, a jazz name might sound Beat, a bird name might imply a predisposition to nature poetry, and so forth.
--I think it would have good design possibilities.

Anonymous said...

I like the name. One problem you may have is finding a name that will also give you a good web presence, also making sure you get the domain name you desire. I just went through this same sort of epiphany recently where I was frustrated by having so many pots on the back-burners that I finally decided to unleash a few, one of which is a literary journal: LitFreak.

Good luck with this, and I truly hope it works out.

Edrees said...

Hi,



I did read your blog, and i liked it very much, and wish to stay in touch, you can read my blog at http://edrees.blogspot.com/ and my own page at http://geocities.com/edreeslove/ where i have some poems at http://geocities.com/edreeslove/ep.html .

My email address is edrees.w@gmail.com and my yahoo groups is friendsofedrees@yahoogroups

waiting to hear from you, and discuss more things...

Edrees

Edrees said...

Edrees (saba sabawoon)Wardak , who studied in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and SVRCET, SVNIT, Surat India, wishes to stay in touch with you, and all his friends, Now Living In London, Ontario, canada,and his e-mail is edreeslove@yahoo.com , his own web blog is at http://edrees.blogspot.com/ ...I like ur blog, do read mine as well

Edrees said...

Edrees (saba sabawoon)Wardak , who studied in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and SVRCET, SVNIT, Surat India, wishes to stay in touch with you, and all his friends, Now Living In London, Ontario, canada,and his e-mail is edreeslove@yahoo.com , his own web blog is at http://edrees.blogspot.com/ ...I like ur blog, do read mine as well

Edrees said...

Edrees (saba sabawoon)Wardak , who studied in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and SVRCET, SVNIT, Surat India, wishes to stay in touch with you, and all his friends, Now Living In London, Ontario, canada,and his e-mail is edreeslove@yahoo.com , his own web blog is at http://edrees.blogspot.com/ ...I like ur blog, do read mine as well

Anonymous said...

drees (saba sabawoon)Wardak , who studied in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and SVRCET, SVNIT, Surat India, wishes to stay in touch with you, and all his friends, Now Living In London, Ontario, canada,and his e-mail is edreeslove@yahoo.com , his own web blog is at http://edrees.blogspot.com/ ...I like ur blog, do read mine as well