We had the good fortune of connecting with Mark Givens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mark, what role has risk played in your life or career?
One of the major functions, and one of the greatest strengths, of the independent press is the ability to take chances on adventurous authors. Not every project is approached from a monetary viewpoint and quite often the ones that are the most exciting and challenging to the status quo are the ones that don’t have a wide market appeal. The authors take risks, the independent press takes a risk, and the literary audience responds. That’s the nature of pushing boundaries. Without the independent press, adventurous authors wouldn’t have a voice or a platform on which to build. In this sense, almost everything we do is a risk. Some of my favorite books have been the ones that have little mass-market appeal, that larger publishing houses will not touch (too risky) but that really advance the literary world. That is the exciting and the scary part of what we do!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Bamboo Dart Press is a collaboration between local publishing company Pelekinesis and local record label Shrimper Records. I have known Dennis Callaci, the owner of Shrimper, for over 30 years but we’ve only ever worked together tangentially. We hit on the idea of a publishing adventure because we are surrounded by interesting people with stories to tell. Artistically, we are pushing the definitional boundaries of the chapbook with a series of unique short-form volumes, nicely bound and beautifully designed. We are exploring the format with a talented group of literary voices—from poets and novellaists to graphic artists and photographers.
Like most small artistic ventures, budget is a concern and a constant source of consternation. We have considered registering as a non-profit, or seeking funding from various grants and public funding, but it is tight out there. Aside from the initial outlay for setup fees and to get the ball rolling, we do not use our personal finances to fund this project, instead relying on sales and subscriptions. The important part is to get the work out there.
Bamboo Dart Press faces many artistic challenges internally, as our chapbooks have pushed the boundaries so far that they have raised questions about whether they are chapbooks at all. It’s a fair enough question—when does a chapbook stop being a chapbook?—but these are intellectual pursuits and interesting to explore. The main challenges remain the more general industrial roadblocks—funding, access to resources, marketing, fair dealings within the field—but we’re also seeing a great deal of progress overcoming those roadblocks. Nonprofit groups like the Inlandia Institute in Riverside have done wonderful things and made great inroads within the industry. The challenges persist, but progress is being made.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The fun and intrigue in this region of Southern California is boundless, exemplified by the rich musical landscape and the plentiful dining offerings. My tastes run a little more subdued and visceral these days, preferring the quiet gathering to the rockin’ onslaught. The downtown village in Claremont is a favorite spot to take in the local scene, with the Claremont Colleges, museums, art galleries, cafes, and ice cream at the ready. We have a botanic garden nearby and our mountains are spectacular. If a visiting friend wanted to take in a good show, the dA Center for the Arts in Pomona hosts some of the most innovative artists and musicians in the area, and small concerts are always going on around the valley. Dining choices include Afghan food at Walters in Claremont, Indian food at Ashirwad in Upland, and Thai food at Lucky Elephant in San Dimas. Venturing out beyond our local community, Taylor Junction in Joshua Tree (and Joshua Tree itself, for that matter) is a wildly creative community and Los Angeles is just a stone’s throw in the other direction, if you want to get your groove on!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Cati Porter is the executive director at the Inlandia Institute and a tireless advocate for literary arts. http://inlandiainstitute.org/
https://www.facebook.com/Inlandia/

Website: http://www.bamboodartpress.com

Instagram: @BambooDart.Press

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bamboodart/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bamboodartpress

Other: https://mastodon.world/@bamboodartpress

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.