As an established poet whose books are distributed by Small Press Distribution (SPD), and an author on one of SPD’s most revenue-generating presses, I need to publicly articulate my support for the organizing and action taken by Poetry Workers Union. Rather than rehashing their argument and demands—I couldn’t hope to do it as well—I urge you to learn more by consulting the Poetry Workers Union statement here before reading further.
My own work history and other past experiences mean that I usually believe allegations of wage theft and workplace abuse. So I have been following the situation with great distress since it was made public late last year. I contacted a board member for SPD to inquire further about the role of the board in grievance procedures and found the exchange unsettling but illuminating. I am familiar with the mechanics of nonprofit organization operations and administration, and in many ways the emerging facts were not a surprise. I had also had my own difficulties with the SPD administrative staff during the divestment of one of my host presses from the organization. I felt a need to act, but I didn’t know what to do. I stopped ordering books through SPD in the meantime, until I could decide how to respond according to my conscience and my ability. (I haven’t ordered from them in roughly six months.)
A couple of days ago, upon seeing a Tweet with a link to the Poetry Workers Union statement, I became aware of their boycott of SPD and several top-earning, influential small presses—including my home Brooklyn Arts Press. I had a strange feeling: I wanted to support the boycott, but how do I boycott myself? I have subscriptions to some of the other named presses. I am close friends with the people who run other named presses, and authors who publish with them. How does a boycott look for me if I am also committed to supporting the work of my friends—many of whom are writing from multiply marginalized & oppressed backgrounds? Is it breaking the boycott to alert readers of various publications, projects and honors of my own? I don’t know if I really can participate in the boycott to the fullest or most rigorous extent.
But I can publicly assert my solidarity with the boycott action, fact-sharing & communication labor of the members of the Poetry Workers Union.
I can make use of my privilege as an established author on an influential small press, as a Lambda Literary and Publishing Triangle Award finalist, and a poet with many personal relationships with other authors and editors attached to these presses.
I can open the necessary conversations with friends and colleagues. I can urge my editors to explore divestment and distribution alternatives.
I can make financial readjustments to more fully align my support with my commitment to justice, change and accountability in publishing and distribution.
I can continue to consider deeply the ethos of presses I align with before initiating such relations.
I have already begun some of these actions; others have been ongoing for some time. But here I assert my commitment to continue the process.
I am counting on my editors and friends to help me open and expand space for discussion, exploring distribution alternatives, and more. I know that they too are disturbed by what’s happening at SPD, and are also committed to justice and accountability in publishing. I hope that my statement empowers others to join me in public solidarity action, especially those who have benefited from SPD’s distribution and have brought revenue to that organization.
Some may consider it self-defeating to openly claim solidarity for a boycott effort that, from one perspective, potentially does me harm (in lost royalties, etc.). I find that perspective limiting. I donate my royalties to support others. I have no publishing job to lose, no institutional or organizational attachment to be threatened, no possible tenure to be denied. There is no defeat for me in supporting the Poetry Workers Union, opening comminication, or making conscience-driven choices. I recognize that other authors and editors may have more complex entanglements, but I urge us to take the risks. Let’s use what we have and stop playing career games at the cost of real people’s lives and livelihoods.
With love and solidarity,
JAY BESEMER