Difference between revisions of "Microcosm Publishing"

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[[Image:microcosm.gif|frame|Microcosm Publishing logo]]
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'''Microcosm Publishing''' is an independent publisher and distributor based in Portland, Oregon, and Leavenworth, Kansas.
  
Microcosm Publishing is an independent publisher and distributor based out of [[Portland]], OR and Bloomington, IN. They distribute ideas through [[Zine|zine]]s, [[book]]s, [[pamphlet]]s, [[sticker]]s, buttons, [[patches]], t-shirts, films, and more. The focus is on publishing zines and books in the hopes that it will add credibility to zine writers and their ethics. Titles attempt to teach self-empowerment to disenfranchised people and to nurture their creative side. It began in 1996 with one person doing part-time mailorder out of a bedroom.
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They distribute [[Zine|zines]], books, pamphlets, stickers, buttons, patches, t-shirts, posters, videos, and more. According to their mission statement, their titles attempt to teach self-empowerment to disenfranchised people and to nurture their creative side. Current staff includes [[Rio_Safari|Rio Safari]], [[Joe_Biel|Joe Biel]], Nate Beaty, Jessie Duquette, [[Adam_gnade|Adam Gnade]], Danielle Duquette, and Matt Gauck.
  
== History ==
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===History===
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Beginning in 1996 with only Joe Biel doing part time mail order out of a bedroom in Cleveland, Ohio, Microcosm moved to Portland, OR, in 1999. Microcosm is heralded in the zine community as an entity that, for better or worse, has brought zines into a larger consciousness in the new millennium, after former mainstream interest has largely subsided. They are responsible for many of the recent zine/book hybrid aesthetics and zines that have fancier covers or design aesthetics such as multiple color screenprints, letterpress, or offset printing. There is a particular focus towards images and artwork celebrating bicycles and radical politics. Many of the items offered are not available easily elsewhere on the web or otherwise.
  
Beginning in 1996 with only [[Joe Biel]] doing part time mail order out of a bedroom in Cleveland, Ohio and including [[Alex Wrekk]] in 2003, the operation has grown significantly over the years and as of March of 2007, has moved its mailorder operation to Bloomington, Indiana. There is a particular focus towards images and artwork celebrating bicycles and radical politics. Many of the items offered are not available easily elsewhere on the web or otherwise.
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Incorporating the tactics of early punk record labels and a DIY approach, Microcosm uses guerrilla styled tactics for promoting their titles unlike most publishers of equal size. They rarely purchase advertising, and rely more heavily on the people who appreciate their craft independently passing out their catalogs in their respective towns.  
  
Microcosm is heralded in the zine community as an entity that, for better or worse, has brought zines into a larger consciousness in the new millennium, after former mainstream interest has largely subsided. They are also responsible for many of the recent zine/book hybrid aesthetics and zines that have fancier covers or design aesthetics such as multiple color screenprints, letterpress, or offset printing.
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In September 2008, Microcosm opened a new retail store in southeast Portland There was a noticeable shift in the type of reading material offered, since most stock is "hurts" and "remainders" sold at half retail price or less. In May 2010 the store grew for a third time and moved in with Printed Matter Screenprinting and Eberhardt Press in a new building in southeast Portland at 636 SE 11th Ave.
  
Incorporating the tactics of early punk record labels and a very DIY approach, Microcosm uses tactics that are more guerilla styled for promoting their titles than most publishers of equal size. They rarely purchase advertising, and rely more heavily on the people who appreciate their craft independently passing out their catalogs in their respective towns.
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In July 2011, Microcosm closed its Bloomington, Indiana, office and opened a new distro/mailorder location in Lansing, Kansas. One month later, Lansing staffer Jessie Duquette (aka "Jessie Duke"), an employee since 2006, became co-owner of Microcosm.
  
Microcosm is sometimes equated as the "Wal Mart of Zines" due to the vast selection and customer service that it offers. Due to Wal Mart's poor human rights record and complete inability to build a decent public image for themselves - Microcosm would probably be more accurate to be called "The Target of Zines".
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For nearly sixteen years, Microcosm has remained truly independent of any outside management or funding and has suffered the corresponding financial hardships. Management decisions are made internally in meetings where full time staff collective members have an equal vote.  
  
Microcosm offered custom buttons as a service from 1998-2006. Custom stickers were also offered from 2001-2006. Custom patches and t-shirt printing was also offered briefly in 2002-2003.
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==External links==
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*[http://www.microcosmpublishing.com Official Site]
  
Microcosm Publishing was formerly a record label, and released records by Flotation Walls, Bedford, Organic, Cripple Kid, The Unknown, The Roswells, Little Dipper, Rock, Star.
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[[Category:Distro]][[Category:Small Press Publisher]][[Category:Publisher]][[Category:Active Distros]]
 
 
== Projects ==
 
 
 
* [[Chainbreaker]] Bike Book
 
* [[I Hate This Part of Texas]] / [[Keep Loving, Keep Fighting]]
 
* [[Mostly True]]: The Story of Bozo Texino
 
* [[$100 & A T-Shirt]]
 
* [[Making Stuff & Doing Things]]
 
* [[On Subbing]]
 
* [[Stolen Sharpie Revolution]]
 
* [[Flow Chronicles]]
 
* [[CIA Makes Science Fiction Unexciting #1, 2, 3, 4]]
 
* [[Brainscan #19 and 20]]
 
* [[Things are Meaning Less]]
 
* [[Xtra Tuf #5]]
 
* [[Coffeeshop Crushes]]
 
* [[Homeland Insecurity]]
 
* [[Invincible Summer: An Anthology #1]]
 
* [[My Brain Hurts #1-5 Collection]]
 
* [[Distance Makes The Heart Grow Sick]]
 
* [[Constant Rider Omnibus]] (Second Edition)
 
* [[DIY Screenprinting]]
 
* [[Bipedal, By Pedal]]
 
* [[Snakepit|Snakepit 2: My Life in a Jugular Vein]]
 
* [[Secret Files of Cap'n Sissy #5]]
 
* [[I Hate This Part of Texas #5]]
 
* [[Dreamwhip #14]]
 
* [[Doris: Anthology 1991-2001]]
 
* [[Doris #23]]
 
* [[Support]]
 
* [[Cantankerous Titles & Obscure Ephemera, Vol 1 DVD]]
 
* [[Green Zine #14]]
 
* [[Indestructible]]
 
* [[Best of Intentions]]
 
* [[You Can Work Any 100 Hours Per Week You Want (In Your Underwear!!)]]
 
* [[Applicant]]
 
* [[Please Don't Feed the Bears]]
 
* [[Sounds of Your Name]]
 
* [[Hot Damn & Hell Yeah / Dirty South]]
 
* [[Journalsong]]
 
* [[Zinester's Guide to Portland]]
 
 
 
== External Link ==
 
 
 
[http://www.microcosmpublishing.com Microcosm Publishing]
 
 
 
 
 
{{project-stub}}
 
 
 
[[Category:Distro]][[Category:Small Press Publisher]] [[Category:Active Distros]]
 

Revision as of 19:25, 19 February 2012

Microcosm Publishing is an independent publisher and distributor based in Portland, Oregon, and Leavenworth, Kansas.

They distribute zines, books, pamphlets, stickers, buttons, patches, t-shirts, posters, videos, and more. According to their mission statement, their titles attempt to teach self-empowerment to disenfranchised people and to nurture their creative side. Current staff includes Rio Safari, Joe Biel, Nate Beaty, Jessie Duquette, Adam Gnade, Danielle Duquette, and Matt Gauck.

History

Beginning in 1996 with only Joe Biel doing part time mail order out of a bedroom in Cleveland, Ohio, Microcosm moved to Portland, OR, in 1999. Microcosm is heralded in the zine community as an entity that, for better or worse, has brought zines into a larger consciousness in the new millennium, after former mainstream interest has largely subsided. They are responsible for many of the recent zine/book hybrid aesthetics and zines that have fancier covers or design aesthetics such as multiple color screenprints, letterpress, or offset printing. There is a particular focus towards images and artwork celebrating bicycles and radical politics. Many of the items offered are not available easily elsewhere on the web or otherwise.

Incorporating the tactics of early punk record labels and a DIY approach, Microcosm uses guerrilla styled tactics for promoting their titles unlike most publishers of equal size. They rarely purchase advertising, and rely more heavily on the people who appreciate their craft independently passing out their catalogs in their respective towns.

In September 2008, Microcosm opened a new retail store in southeast Portland There was a noticeable shift in the type of reading material offered, since most stock is "hurts" and "remainders" sold at half retail price or less. In May 2010 the store grew for a third time and moved in with Printed Matter Screenprinting and Eberhardt Press in a new building in southeast Portland at 636 SE 11th Ave.

In July 2011, Microcosm closed its Bloomington, Indiana, office and opened a new distro/mailorder location in Lansing, Kansas. One month later, Lansing staffer Jessie Duquette (aka "Jessie Duke"), an employee since 2006, became co-owner of Microcosm.

For nearly sixteen years, Microcosm has remained truly independent of any outside management or funding and has suffered the corresponding financial hardships. Management decisions are made internally in meetings where full time staff collective members have an equal vote.

External links