MuseFlashes

Compiled by BONNIE WELLS

Published on June 08, 2007

Perugia Press party marks a milestone

When Susan Kan first got involved with publishing in 1997, her sights were set on getting one book, "Finding the Bear," written by a friend, into print. Ten years later, Kan's Perugia Press in Florence has published 10 poetry books, all by women, including one, "Kettle Bottom" that has won numerous awards.

The press will celebrate a decade of publishing Saturday and Sunday with a variety of events, including a reunion reading by Perugia poets, poetry craft classes and a performance by political humorist Kate Clinton.

Sitting in the sunny front porch of her Willow Street house in Florence - which doubles as press offices - Kan talked about how the press began and grew after getting that first book into print.

"When I started, I didn't know I was starting a press," said Kan. But she had such a good time publishing "Finding the Bear," she said, that she was soon tackling a second book.

She said she found the process of putting a book together from start to finish very satisfying.

"It made me look at poetry books in a new way," she said. "The book itself is a work of art."

Still, learning the ins and outs of publishing was a challenge, especially in those first few years.

"Each book and each project has taught me new things," she said, adding that choosing poets also has been an education.Eventually, she established the annual Perugia Press contest that sought poetry submissions from women around the country.

The contest awards $1,000 to the woman author whose poetry is selected for publication. To be eligible, the author must be a U.S. resident and have only one previously published book.

"The aim of the press is to start women off in their publishing careers," said Kan.

On a nearby table, sits a display of the 10 books published by the press over the last decade, among them "Reach" by Easthampton poet Janet Aalfs, "Lamb" by Frannie Lindsay of Cambridge, and "Kettle Bottom" by Diane Gilliam Fisher of Akron, Ohio.

Joan Barberich of Food For Thought Books in Amherst and a contest judge, said Perugia Press has made a significant contribution to changing the publishing landscape by helping women poets get their first books in print.

"It's something for the Valley to be so proud of," said Barberich, "reaching 10 years (as an independent press) is such an accomplishment."

Perugia Press will celebrate its 10-year anniversary with a variety of events this weekend.

* On Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m., free poetry classes, offered by poets, including Thomas Lux, Patrick Donnelly, Diane Gilliam and Annie Boutelle, will be held on the first floor of Seelye Hall at Smith College.

* On Saturday at 7:30 p.m., all 10 Perugia poets will gather in Neilson Browsing Room at Smith College to read from their work. A $10 donation is suggested.

* On Sunday, political humorist Kate Clinton will perform in a benefit for Perugia press at 7:30 p.m. in the Northampton High School auditorium. Tickets are $35 in advance; $40 at the door; $75 for VIP seating. Tickets are available at www.perugiapress.com and Food For Thought Books in Amherst.

- PHOEBE MITCHELL