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The word 'ekstasis' comes from an ancient Greek word meaning 'to stand outside oneself.' Richard Olafson is now in a state of ekstasis.
After publishing 328 titles in 28 years, Olafson, who owns and operates Ekstasis Editions of Victoria, has received a letter from Canada Council advising him, in his words, that his operations are "not up to the standards of the Canada Council."; Without Council backing, he is reluctantly pulling the plug. The potential loss of Olafson as a literary lynchpin in Victoria is also lamentable because his offshoots include the Pacific Festival of the Book, the City of Victoria Book Prize and the Pacific Rim Review of Books. Olafson says he is unwilling to mount any counter-offensive, having received widespread support from writers during a crisis involving his relations with Canada Council two years ago.
"I am one of the few poetry publishers who pays advances to poets,"; he says, "And it is a slap in the face of the West. There are at least three entities that will expire when I quit.
"First off, what Victoria and Vancouver Island and the province need more than anything is a major book festival and the Pacific Festival of the Book satisfies that goal. It occurred this year because Carol and I financed half of it. We had about 50 local and international authors, brought some Beats up from SF, and had visitors from Europe participating.
"Secondly, the country needs more than ever a publishing house with a purely literary mandate, that is willing to risk the publication of first time authors, and addresses the nature of the modern lyric. Ekstasis Editions is a necessary press. I have already invested in this year, paid advances for books including new poetry by Dennis Reid, current chair of the League of Canadian Poets, as well as a tribute to Victoria with art and poetry by the city's major figures such as PK Page and Marilyn Bowering, edited by poet laureate Linda Rogers. As well I have signed the contracts for 4 translations, two from Québécois writers, and all these books may never see the light of day. This will affect the careers and incomes of writers and translators, as well as many others including editors, graphic artists, employees and printers.
"Thirdly, with the disappearance of media and especially book coverage in the popular media, it is a necessity that a journal like the Pacific Rim Review of Books exists, a journal devoted to pure critical discourse yet in a familiar and casual style. The PRRB is the perfect journal for Canada right now. Now that Books in Canada no longer exists in paper format it is the only one.";
[BCBW 2009]
After publishing 328 titles in 28 years, Olafson, who owns and operates Ekstasis Editions of Victoria, has received a letter from Canada Council advising him, in his words, that his operations are "not up to the standards of the Canada Council."; Without Council backing, he is reluctantly pulling the plug. The potential loss of Olafson as a literary lynchpin in Victoria is also lamentable because his offshoots include the Pacific Festival of the Book, the City of Victoria Book Prize and the Pacific Rim Review of Books. Olafson says he is unwilling to mount any counter-offensive, having received widespread support from writers during a crisis involving his relations with Canada Council two years ago.
"I am one of the few poetry publishers who pays advances to poets,"; he says, "And it is a slap in the face of the West. There are at least three entities that will expire when I quit.
"First off, what Victoria and Vancouver Island and the province need more than anything is a major book festival and the Pacific Festival of the Book satisfies that goal. It occurred this year because Carol and I financed half of it. We had about 50 local and international authors, brought some Beats up from SF, and had visitors from Europe participating.
"Secondly, the country needs more than ever a publishing house with a purely literary mandate, that is willing to risk the publication of first time authors, and addresses the nature of the modern lyric. Ekstasis Editions is a necessary press. I have already invested in this year, paid advances for books including new poetry by Dennis Reid, current chair of the League of Canadian Poets, as well as a tribute to Victoria with art and poetry by the city's major figures such as PK Page and Marilyn Bowering, edited by poet laureate Linda Rogers. As well I have signed the contracts for 4 translations, two from Québécois writers, and all these books may never see the light of day. This will affect the careers and incomes of writers and translators, as well as many others including editors, graphic artists, employees and printers.
"Thirdly, with the disappearance of media and especially book coverage in the popular media, it is a necessity that a journal like the Pacific Rim Review of Books exists, a journal devoted to pure critical discourse yet in a familiar and casual style. The PRRB is the perfect journal for Canada right now. Now that Books in Canada no longer exists in paper format it is the only one.";
[BCBW 2009]
Submitted on June 3, 2009 in By David.
