Page 13 - may25

'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 Working with Jake Rockard at XXXPOSURE was a choice I made as an innovative
their brain vom in all directions. Invariably they're a buncha can'ts as they strut and fret.' alternative to other possible editorial paths.'

'If gender is your agenda, if you're on patrol in search of pronouns or lack of, look 'Again, in terms of the promo campaign to secure submissions, my focus was upon
elsewhere. I don't feel the need to categorise according to labels. Under no pressure to LGBTQIA+ hubs in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol, Swansea and Cardiff, right down
go biggin' up minority racial groups. No shining a light on the latest fag fad, no. Again, if south to organisations and bodies within the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth, Margate
any of that is your thing, this ain't your thing. The EXIT sign is shining brightly.' and St Leonards-On-Sea. Efforts were made to inform, encourage and connect in a
dynamic manner.'
'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 'Long-serving Creative Writing group leaders, such as Paul Bradley of the very recently
for this issue's Queer Lit Special. Fifteen thousand colour A5 flyers and three thousand defunct Out On The Page, helped spread the word via their newsletter / online forum. I
A3 card posters have hit a range of targets in recent months, co-designed by Ryan attended groups such as Pink Ink at London Friend in the capital city in an attempt to
Clark in Scotland's Dumfries & Galloway and myself, based in Kircudbrightshire.' assess and evaluate how some organisations actually function.'

'From the support of editor Alice Linehan at GCN in Dublin to LGBTQIA+ Creative 'From Terrence Higgins Trust in London and Glasgow to The LGBT+ Foundation in
Writing groups, centres and university societies in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Manchester to Arts organisations all over the UK and beyond, I approached writers
Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England plus a range of cities in the USA, invitations to submit within target groups to think and rethink content and style. What I was hoping for (later
new writing have been accompanied by personally handwritten letters and, where receiving) was short shorts, disclosures with an edge, very personal jigsaw feelings,
possible, actual visits to meet group leaders and conduct appropriate workshops, rather explosive thought grenades.'
than adopting an impersonal digital social media strategy.'
'Particular emphasis was upon catering to areas that are so often neglected in more
'Active display was first achieved within The Glasgow School of Art Library and Student isolated areas of rural Ireland, areas of Northern Ireland still feeling the effects of The
Union as well as City of Glasgow College plus the LGBTQIA+ Society of Strathclyde Uni Troubles. Scotland, Wales. All manner of queer haunts in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and
via the proactive Student Rep, Ashleigh Bruce.' Merseyside were also contacted.'

'Valuable display was agreed both outside and inside Manchester's Poetry Library by 'Whilst I'm aware that the University of Oxford has the largest LGBTQIA+ membership
Martin Kratz, associate lecturer and Projects Manager at Manchester Metropolitan of the top fifty universities recognised by Stonewall for uni' societies that operate so
University. Matthew Cornford of Manchester's Queer Lit also kindly allowed wave after cohesively, within an environment that is nurtured to max, I have a somewhat punk
wave of promotional materials to be distributed within Europe's largest LGBTQIA+ approach in thinking beyond cosy confines. Hey, this is 2025, we're a quarter of the way
bookstore, indeed a Social Refuge for LGBTQIA+ creatives.' through the twenty first century and some really need to pull their fingers out.'

'The North West's Creative Networks such as Peter Kalu's Commonword and 'Management within Pipeworks in Glasgow were surprisingly receptive, offering a digital
Cultureword were warmly welcoming. Contemporary bars, clubs and fuck zones in and display possibility for that venue to flicker the combative posters, with thanks to
around Manchester's Canal Street were supportive. Educational establishments in manager David Cooper. That strategy attracted many submissions.
Preston and Blackpool were also enthusiastic and thankful to be included.'
Lancashire Libraries distributed to seven different libraries, catering to their LGBTQIA+
'Established LGBTQIA+ bookshops in London, such as Gay's The Word, managed by book clubs. Outlets such as London's Prowler Red, Clonezone and even Rough Trade
Jim McSweeney, as well as Old Compton Street venues such as The Admiral Duncan, assisted, for which I have to express gratitude.'
Comptons and Vauxhall's Eagle Bar, were also generous in giving a nod to displaying
promo materials over Summer, Autumn and Winter 2024.' 'I must, of course, thank the contributors. Ranging from China, Finland, Greece, Italy,
India, Netherlands, Nigeria, Jamaica, Japan, USA, Republic of Ireland, Wales, Scotland
'I spent six months giving the underground XXXPOSURE publishing project a and England, many have generously agreed in working to a third, fourth, fifth draft with
their (c) protected submissions.
considered promo push. Having already edited three anthologies, I followed a similar application,