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'The editorial policy of XXXPOSURE dares to handle material that can be classified business model in terms of wishing to be a publishing originator rather than a follower.
as XXX. The clue is in the title. Censors come in many shapes and forms, projecting
their brain vom in all directions. Invariably they're a buncha can'ts as they strut and fret.'
'If gender is your agenda, if you're on patrol in search of pronouns or lack of, look
elsewhere. I don't feel the need to categorise according to labels. Under no pressure to
go biggin' up minority racial groups. No shining a light on the latest fag fad, no. Again, if
any of that is your thing, this ain't your thing. The EXIT sign is shining brightly.'
'In an attempt to truly connect with a brave new breed of contemporary LGBTQIA+
individuals, I've conducted the largest ever LGBTQIA+ campaign to secure submissions
for this issue's Queer Lit Special. Fifteen thousand colour A5 flyers and three thousand
A3 card posters have hit a range of targets in recent months, co-designed by Ryan
Clark in Scotland's Dumfries & Galloway and myself, based in Kircudbrightshire.'
'From the support of editor Alice Linehan at GCN in Dublin to LGBTQIA+ Creative
Writing groups, centres and university societies in the Republic of Ireland, Northern
Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England plus a range of cities in the USA, invitations to submit
new writing have been accompanied by personally handwritten letters and, where
possible, actual visits to meet group leaders and conduct appropriate workshops, rather
than adopting an impersonal digital social media strategy.'
'Active display was first achieved within The Glasgow School of Art Library and Student
Union as well as City of Glasgow College plus the LGBTQIA+ Society of Strathclyde Uni
via the proactive Student Rep, Ashleigh Bruce.'
'Valuable display was agreed both outside and inside Manchester's Poetry Library by
Martin Kratz, associate lecturer and Projects Manager at Manchester Metropolitan
University. Matthew Cornford of Manchester's Queer Lit also kindly allowed wave after
wave of promotional materials to be distributed within Europe's largest LGBTQIA+
bookstore, indeed a Social Refuge for LGBTQIA+ creatives.'
'The North West's Creative Networks such as Peter Kalu's Commonword and
Cultureword were warmly welcoming. Contemporary bars, clubs and fuck zones in and
around Manchester's Canal Street were supportive. Educational establishments in
Preston and Blackpool were also enthusiastic and thankful to be included.'
'Established LGBTQIA+ bookshops in London, such as Gay's The Word, managed by
Jim McSweeney, as well as Old Compton Street venues such as The Admiral Duncan,
Comptons and Vauxhall's Eagle Bar, were also generous in giving a nod to displaying
promo materials over Summer, Autumn and Winter 2024.'
'I spent six months giving the underground XXXPOSURE publishing project a
considered promo push. Having already edited three anthologies, I followed a similar application,
Working with Jake Rockard at XXXPOSURE was a choice I made as an innovative
alternative to other possible editorial paths.'
'Again, in terms of the promo campaign to secure submissions, my focus was upon
LGBTQIA+ hubs in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol, Swansea and Cardiff, right down
south to organisations and bodies within the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth, Margate
and St Leonards-On-Sea. Efforts were made to inform, encourage and connect in a
dynamic manner.'
'Long-serving Creative Writing group leaders, such as Paul Bradley of the very recently
defunct Out On The Page, helped spread the word via their newsletter / online forum. I
attended groups such as Pink Ink at London Friend in the capital city in an attempt to
assess and evaluate how some organisations actually function.'
'From Terrence Higgins Trust in London and Glasgow to The LGBT+ Foundation in
Manchester to Arts organisations all over the UK and beyond, I approached writers
within target groups to think and rethink content and style. What I was hoping for (later
receiving) was short shorts, disclosures with an edge, very personal jigsaw feelings,
explosive thought grenades.'
'Particular emphasis was upon catering to areas that are so often neglected in more
isolated areas of rural Ireland, areas of Northern Ireland still feeling the effects of The
Troubles. Scotland, Wales. All manner of queer haunts in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and
Merseyside were also contacted.'
'Whilst I'm aware that the University of Oxford has the largest LGBTQIA+ membership
of the top fifty universities recognised by Stonewall for uni' societies that operate so
cohesively, within an environment that is nurtured to max, I have a somewhat punk
approach in thinking beyond cosy confines. Hey, this is 2025, we're a quarter of the way
through the twenty first century and some really need to pull their fingers out.'
'Management within Pipeworks in Glasgow were surprisingly receptive, offering a digital
display possibility for that venue to flicker the combative posters, with thanks to
manager David Cooper. That strategy attracted many submissions.
Lancashire Libraries distributed to seven different libraries, catering to their LGBTQIA+
book clubs. Outlets such as London's Prowler Red, Clonezone and even Rough Trade
assisted, for which I have to express gratitude.'
'I must, of course, thank the contributors. Ranging from China, Finland, Greece, Italy,
India, Netherlands, Nigeria, Jamaica, Japan, USA, Republic of Ireland, Wales, Scotland
and England, many have generously agreed in working to a third, fourth, fifth draft with
their (c) protected submissions.