Issue 3: update

Hello again

The festive season over, January is delivering its usual parcel of grey days and empty pockets, but we carry on- and so does the production of Issue 3!

Sort of.

Unfortunately, my computer decided to check out before 12/12/12, so I have, up until now, been unable to design the layout and content of this issue. Fortunately, tomorrow I take delivery of a refurbished iMac of a beast. I will then be able to fire up the engine and steam roller ahead.

As a teaser, the title page will be spray painted with a stencil (unless that goes wrong; in which case I’ll do some finger painting). The issue looks like it will have approximately 30 poems and a dozen illustrations (I’m still waiting on a few artists to put down their wine bottles and deliver me the goods). What I have so far is a pile of pearls just waiting to be strung up into something you can wear around your neck (wait, that doesn’t make sense?).

Anyway, for those of you wondering what was going on, I hope this clears things up. If Allah/Jesus/Elvis allows I will be able to ship the contributor copies by the end of the month, with the issue going on sale early February. There will only be 50 numbered copies on sale for this issue.

Thanks

and good afternoon/night/morning

Mr Lally

 

 

 

 

After the Deadline

So the deadline passed, and we have now confirmed to everyone who submitted whether they made it in or not. It was a mammoth task and we probably had enough quality material to run two issues. However, as a one man production team, I (I’m giving up on the ‘we’, it is now just me- I had to let the cleaner go) don’t have the time in the day to produce two issues, so you get one. And boy is it going to be good.

The attached pictures show the cover coming together. They are letterpress printed onto forest green card using a Swiss Proof Press. I used  gold linseed oil ink and some wood typeface. I’m working out the content layout as we speak. Then it will all be sewn together.

I’m going to try and remember to update the blog so anyone interested can see how it’s coming together. All being well it will go on sale at the end of January 2012.

Thank you to everyone who has submitted and to all who have supported me on this issue.

Mr Lally

 

10th November Deadline

We are seeing an unprecedented level of submissions this time around, which is probably due to us listing on Duotrope, but could be due to us sharing a name with a hairy american rock band. We thank you for taking the time to submit and kindly ask for your patience whilst we read.

If you haven’t submitted then do. By the 10th November.

Anyway, if you were curious as to what we do around here then please note that there is still a small box of the charity edition left. 100% of the sale will go directly to help the animals at the Gozo SPCA (after postage costs), and we would love to sell this one out. Click on the Paypal Donate button to the right- don’t think about it.

Last point of note, we picked up a great number 3 printing block at the weekend. Matched with my alligator printing block we should see a tasty letterpress intro page (the cover will just be plain sexy).

Good night
Mr Lally

 

Alligator Stew Issue 3: Submissions Now Open!

It’s that time again.

Yes, Alligator Stew has opened her box and is awaiting delivery of your poetry. From the dust covered corners, to the unemployment queues, she calls to you to bring your world into the beautiful, hand-crafted pages she delivers.

Alligator Stew is all about progression- learning what works and pushing onwards. This time around her cover will be printed in glorious letterpress; some, if not all, of the poems will be illustrated by a select group of very talented artists; each copy will be hand-bound into quality cardstock. There will be craft, there will be graft, there will be the reward of a contributor copy for all those who wield a pen/typewriter/laptop/etch-a-sketch and succeed in pulling our heart from the stone.

If you’re interested in submitting to Alligator Stew please click on ‘Submit’ at the top of this page for submission guidelines. If you’re an artist who is interested in illustrating one or two of our submissions then please also have a look at our submission guidelines.

With your help this will be the most handsome issue yet.

Thanks for listening

Mr Lally

 

Alligator Stew: Charity Edition – ON SALE!!

Yes, it’s true. You can now purchase yourself a genuine copy of the Stew by clicking on the ‘Donate’ button on the side bar and paying either £7.50 for European delivery, or £8.00 for anywhere else.

Included in this issue are 10 postcards housed in a presentation folder and featuring the following artists:

Poets

Father Luke
Dave Donovan
David Barker
McGuire
Sana Rafiq
Harry Calhoun
Rob Curtis
Vincent Turner
Hemi
Stephen Hines

Illustrators

Stephen Hines
Mister Cuss
Tiffany Lynch
Ceilidh Higgins
Mr Lally

It looks great, and the first 30 orders come in a green padded envelope. Yes, you heard that right!

This is for a great cause and, if I haven’t made it clear, all profits will go to the charity www.spca-gozo.org.

There are 90 sets available, but I’ve sold 10 of those before even officially announcing this. So click and buy!

Night Night

Your exhausted friend

 

Done.

"Done."

 

Almost there…

So, the postcards are all now back from the printers (I had to reorder one set after I realised I’d missed off the last line of Sana’s poem). The envelopes, which I spent many hours sourcing, are here. The little stamp I designed has arrived. And finally, the local printers assures me the covers will be ready for collection this afternoon.

And so, almost there. I’m proud of how it’s all come together and of the writers and illustrators who gave their work for this cause. Thanks to the support I’ve received, I have decided to go ahead with a third issue of Alligator Stew by the end of the year- although it will be a return to the old format, with contributor copies and without a theme.

By the beginning of next week, unless the printers stiff me, this issue will go on sale. There will be 90 copies available, and based on feedback so far, I expect them to sell quite fast. The price will be confirmed shortly and a magic little paypal sign will appear.

Finally, I wanted to let anyone who passes by that alongside Alligator Stew I will be launching a new small press, Pig Ear Press. I already have a well known poet who I’m in conversation with about my first release, but please get in touch if you would be interested in seeing your work (poetry, short stories, art, illustration etc) in print.

For now, thank you, and good afternoon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the Deadline

The amount, and quality, of poetry submissions was excellent, and made our job very hard indeed. However, ten poems have now been selected and work has begun on designing the postcards. 

Thank you to everyone who submitted, and keep your eyes open around June time for the release of the charity edition of Alligator Stew.

Mr Lally, Editor

 

Submission Criteria: Alligator Stew Charity Edition

• All work must be inspired by animals; domestic or otherwise (i.e. tigers are fine!)
• We request first publishing rights, but after print all rights revert to the author/illustrator.
• Poems- up to three poems, maximum of 20 lines each, in the body of an email.
• Illustration- up to five black & white illustrations as an attachment (which is Mac friendly!).
• All profits are to go directly to the Gozo SPCA (www.spca-gozo.org). There will be no contributor copies on this occasion, in order to maximize the benefit. It goes without saying there will be no payment for any accepted work!
• Please send submissions to alligatorstew@post.com, including ‘ASCE-Submission’ in the subject field.
• Deadline for submissions is the 14th April 2011.
• We will respond no later than two weeks from the submission deadline.
• Any questions, please email. Thank you and good night!

 

Alligator Stew Charity Edition: Submission Call