The day I launched Supraterranean.com, someone wrote a post on the Facebook group to share his opinion. He runs an index of Facebook groups that are devoted to creative writing. He informed me that he is an expert on the subject of literary publication, since he’s editor for the North American Review at University of Northern Iowa. He is — as far as I can tell — a pathetic boob. (Correction: I don’t know him well enough to be certain that he is either pathetic or a boob. I was simply angry.)
In the post, he called the site “narcissistic and solipsistic.” The former was a complaint that I created almost all the content in issue #1. The latter was…well, I haven’t figured that one out yet. In one piece, I did say something about the possibility of time not existing. Does that mean I think nothing exists outside myself? Apparently the man thought it was more effective to chuck big words at people than to take a moment to explain what he really meant.
Here’s how I responded:
“If you read the ‘about us’ page, you’ll see that part of the inspiration behind Supraterranean was ‘to evade the pretentious nature of existing literary journals.’ Your academic high-mindedness and literary tyranny are exactly what I was trying to progress beyond. You take a huge leap in calling the first issue ‘narcissistic.’ I’ve only received three submissions so far, since site development just began in May (you’re welcome to submit…that is, if you can stoop to my standards). Another inspiration was that I hadn’t found a suitable outlet for my work that already exists (including journalism, if that makes you feel better). I think it was Henry Miller who said he’d rather build his own ladder than waste his time climbing someone else’s. (Correction: It was Hunter S. Thompson who said this, in a letter from 1/26/58 printed in his first volume of correspondence, The Proud Highway. The exact quote: “I find that I’d rather build my own figurative ladder than start at the bottom rung of the existing one.”) Well, I just created a customizable ladder for everyone who hates yours. Now I see the real reason you keep the index of creative writing groups — you’re trying to preside over them. Thank you for your consideration, but you can go to hell.”
I will welcome two descriptors: stubborn and sarcastic.
It’s been very difficult for me to explain what I want this web site to be. I regret even calling it a literary journal and I may change the slogan. (Correction: Today, 7/2, I changed the slogan to “Freedom is Expression.” Please comment or email admin@supraterranean.com and tell me what you think.) There’s no single term or concept for what it can become. It’s more of an artistic and creative community on the web than an actual publication. However, since anything posted on the web is now considered “published,” it will be impossible to avoid that tag. Since the site was imagined as something that can not be easily categorized, it made me extremely angry to see someone from a traditional literary journal try to do so.
If you read one thing on the website, please make it the “About Us” page, especially the Mission Statement and Goals. I am not going to be choosing what is placed on the website. My role will be more moderator than editor. I will rant on this blog and post my own creations on the site, but eventually I hope that my content is the minority of what appears there. That’s where you come in. Email your submissions to submit@supraterranean.com today, and let’s get this revolution on its way.
