About the book
The Jargon Society, a boundary-pushing publisher of poetry and experimental writing, was founded by Jonathan Williams (1929–2008) in 1951. Jargon quickly gained a reputation as the home of the poetic and literary avant-garde, including noted midcentury poets like Charles Olson and Lorine Niedecker. Williams himself looms large in this story as the publisher at Jargon until his death, making this book as much about his life and work as the press he founded, which today operates through the Black Mountain College Museum in Asheville, North Carolina.
Andy Martrich authors this story in a manner befitting Jargon’s ethos of literary experimentation by focusing on the books the Society cataloged but never published. While it’s not uncommon for a small press to plan for books that don’t make it to publication, Martrich argues that Jargon’s incessant financial difficulties, coupled with Williams’s impressive network, makes its trail of unfinished projects unique and an ideal way to chronicle the press itself. Using archival research, interviews with volunteers at Jargon, and more, Martrich gives readers not only an intimate look into a Southern press and publisher but also an important history of modern and experimental literature in twentieth-century America. Shy of the Squirrel’s Foot includes an epilogue by Anne Midgette, an afterword by Nicole Raziya Fong, and Jargon’s complete annotated bibliography, which details every book the press published, compiled in one place for the first time.
Editions of Shy of the Squirrel's Foot
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469682501
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469682518
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469682549
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469682556
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469682525
- PDF
- ISBN 9781469682532
Read an Excerpt
The Jargon Society, a boundary-pushing publisher of poetry and experimental writing, was founded by Jonathan Williams (1929–2008) in 1951. Jargon quickly gained a reputation as the home of the poetic and literary avant-garde, including noted midcentury poets like Charles Olson and Lorine Niedecker. Williams himself looms large in this story as the publisher at Jargon until his death, making this book as much about his life and work as the press he founded, which today operates through the Black Mountain College Museum in Asheville, North Carolina.
Andy Martrich authors this story in a manner befitting Jargon’s ethos of literary experimentation by focusing on the books the Society cataloged but never published. While it’s not uncommon for a small press to plan for books that don’t make it to publication, Martrich argues that Jargon’s incessant financial difficulties, coupled with Williams’s impressive network, makes its trail of unfinished projects unique and an ideal way to chronicle the press itself. Using archival research, interviews with volunteers at Jargon, and more, Martrich gives readers not only an intimate look into a Southern press and publisher but also an important history of modern and experimental literature in twentieth-century America. Shy of the Squirrel’s Foot includes an epilogue by Anne Midgette, an afterword by Nicole Raziya Fong, and Jargon’s complete annotated bibliography, which details every book the press published, compiled in one place for the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shy of the Squirrel's Foot about?
The Jargon Society, a boundary-pushing publisher of poetry and experimental writing, was founded by Jonathan Williams (1929–2008) in 1951. Jargon quickly gained a reputation as the home of the poetic and literary avant-garde, including noted midcentury poets like Charles Olson and Lorine Niedecker. Williams himself looms large in this story as the publisher at Jargon until his death, making this book as much about his life and work as the press he founded, which today operates through the Black Mountain College Museum in Asheville, North Carolina.
Andy Martrich authors this story in a manner befitting Jargon’s ethos of literary experimentation by focusing on the books the Society cataloged but never published. While it’s not uncommon for a small press to plan for books that don’t make it to publication, Martrich argues that Jargon’s incessant financial difficulties, coupled with Williams’s impressive network, makes its trail of unfinished projects unique and an ideal way to chronicle the press itself. Using archival research, interviews with volunteers at Jargon, and more, Martrich gives readers not only an intimate look into a Southern press and publisher but also an important history of modern and experimental literature in twentieth-century America. Shy of the Squirrel’s Foot includes an epilogue by Anne Midgette, an afterword by Nicole Raziya Fong, and Jargon’s complete annotated bibliography, which details every book the press published, compiled in one place for the first time.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Shy of the Squirrel's Foot?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Literature: history and criticism > Literary studies: poetry and poets
Where can I read a sample of Shy of the Squirrel's Foot?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469682501
How long is Shy of the Squirrel's Foot and how many pages does it have?
Shy of the Squirrel's Foot has 196 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Shy of the Squirrel's Foot?
Andy Martrich
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Shy of the Squirrel's Foot is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469682501) and paperback(ISBN 9781469682518) and ebook(ISBN 9781469682549) and ebook(ISBN 9781469682556) and ebook(ISBN 9781469682525) and pdf(ISBN 9781469682532)
Where can I buy Shy of the Squirrel's Foot online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy Shy of the Squirrel's Foot?