May 30th

Sylvie and Richard are considering “working with” someone who might have an interest in their projects overseas. Anyone who knows French…or has an interest in things French…or connections with Francophiles, etc. would certainly be on the top of The Priority List. Other interested parties who have a working knowledge of another European language are welcome to inquire about opportunities too. Ditto for everyone who might have an inkling… that something might be brewing with the croissants for them.

May 16th

Aggravation for Zero!!!

Since Carol Adler, the mean-spirited, shortsighted, rude/crude publisher of the plebian works of Dandelion Press, has rejected my work absolutely –after having solicited my interest in having her highlight my writing– I thought I should share the following exchanges below (provided in chronological order). These most recent emails do not give the whole story, but there’s enough here to give lessons to one and all, I believe. The first order of significance here has no more to do with me than my most recent article (which I trust you’ll read following this, if you haven’t already) has to do with Alexander Cockburn. I could give ridders three important lessons to be learned from this back and forth which have zero to do with me or my work, but much to do with the so-called Movement. From the top of my head. But…if anyone’s interested, we can follow through on that in private or in public. There are definitely people out there who should be jumping on this, but…let’s leave that to everyone’s inclinations/interests. Speaking of which, my previous offer respecting connecting me with a decent publisher still stands. That, in spite of my having taken a quantum attitudinal leap since I received Carol’s misguided, deliciously malicious email. And on Sunday of all days! Good reading, Richard

——

DEAREST CAROL: VERY EXCITED. THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL. PLEASE CONSIDER, AS PER THE WORDS BELOW, READING THE ARTICLE THAT’S POSTED (AS IS) BEFORE DIPPING INTO THIS “FIRST DRAFT” OF THE ANNOTATED SUBMISSION. LOVING REGARDS, RICHARD

Special note: **TENTATIVE TITLE IS THE ANNOTATED OX: CULTURAL POLITICS O to X.**

The “Drake” piece would lead into ten others. “O” would be represented by a Wilfred Owen article, “X” (perhaps) by one on Malcolm.

*DEAR CAROL: I CAN SEE WHAT’S BELOW FOLLOWING A “TESTIMONIAL” PROVIDED BY DERRICK JENSEN. LOVE, RICHARD*

**Special note to ridders: What’s directly below is what I was proposing as a kind of introduction to all (which started off with an email of hers to me).**

“Richard, we will be accepting new works at the beginning of June. If you’d like to submit a work at that time, I’ll surely give it priority. We’ve discussed at length the type of book for which there is a need in the marketplace: cultural criticism, observation, analysis… making a strong case for supporting America’s literature, poetry, music, visual and plastic arts, theater, dance, etc., with the same gusto we currently support athletic (macho) events and passive (non- interactive) entertainment…. that we are dying from fast-food cultural malnutrition, i.e., adolescent instant gratification… as in the last days of Rome. This is the type of book I feel you could surely produce, that could be a collection of articles you’ve written in the past, compiled with a clearly stated theme or thesis that runs through the entire work, i.e., that is supported by each of the essays or articles.”

The above is an excerpt from an email I received from my publisher on May 3rd. It’s got some legit concerns, which I’ve heard expressed many times before about my writing. But because I can’t really change my style of writing without altering the messages, etc., I decided to provide the reader with two versions of each piece. One, straight-up. The other with annotated notes interspersed throughout the same text. Although –to my mind– the latter cannot capture the nooks and crannies of what my articles are really about any more than a running description of a ballet can convey “the meaning” of the performance, I do think certain readers deserve an attempt at clarification on some basic points, angles, etc. Steps, if you will.

With that in mind, I invite the reader to either jump into the eleven articles below (a Baker’s Ten?) as they were originally posted online, (and/)or to indulge in the annotated versions presented. The latter experience is not much different than what one might experience watching a DVD feature which provides a running commentary superimposed on the original.

Blessings in solidarity,
Richard Oxman

**SPECIAL NOTE TO RIDDERS: ALL OF THE ABOVE WAS FOLLOWED BY AN ANNOTATED VERSION OF MY “DRAKES” ARTICLE…IN THE SAME MISSIVE. AS INDICATED, A “FIRST DRAFT.”**

——–

Richard, I’m sorry to report we are not interested in pursuing this book project further. You have an amazing writing gift, as I have stated before, and you certainly have a broad background with a mind that collects information. However, there seems to be a challenge in correlating the material and giving it value to a readership.

I appreciate your interest in Dandelion and I certainly wish you luck in finding a readership for your material.

All the best,
Carol

——–

Morning, Carol. This is fine with me, especially since I was just contemplating the “mistake” I might be making in providing… explanations of texts. Just this moment… as your email arrived I was angsting about such matters. However, your response –much appreciated for being so prompt– still begs the question of why you’ve decided (without the benefit of back and forth) to so abruptly sever ties. I am very curious about that. And I would greatly appreciate clarity respecting why such a sudden break –so final, seemingly– is offered up at this juncture. Why so much promise –for want of a better word– disintegrating in this way? Best, Richard

P.S. In other words, aren’t challenges, under such circumstances, usually discussed? And, if so, why not here?

**Special note to ridders: In fact, Carol’s response was not so prompt; I was being kind with my choice of words. Receiving no response to this, I send the email that’s directly below. I’ve included the impatient (but mild, under the circumstances) “Subject” heading.**

——

Date: Sun, 15 May 2005 15:12:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: “Richard Oxman”
Subject: A few words at least for Oxman?

This is significant news you’ve sent my way today, Carol. I really would appreciate knowing what you think about my questions below… at your very earliest convenience. Best, Richard

**Special note for ridders: The “questions” are the questions which appear in the previous email.**

——

**Special note to ridders: Hold onto your seats!**

Richard, I seem to have difficulty explaining the same point to you, or you seem to have difficulty accepting what I have been telling you. Here it is again, and after that, **I would appreciate it if you would not contact me further. If you do, I will not respond.**

You would produce excellent articles and books with value if you could focus on the reader and give them a definite theme or thesis. What do you want to tell them? What are you trying to say? What is the point of what you are writing about?

Your mind seems to fly off in too many directions simultaneously and the effect on the page is clutter. If there is a message, it gets lost.

Practice clarity. Find a direction. Make an outline. Use a map if you need to, and cut a clean path instead of wandering. I and no one else have time to read words and sentences that go nowhere, interspersed with excellent quotes from other people that are not supported by something substantive for digestion, reflection and appreciation.

Best regards,
Carol

**Special final note to ridders: Like a Bette Davis character once said, “Well, I never….” The boldfacing of *boldfaced whatever-you-call-it* above is mine.**

——

May 9th

SPECIAL NOTE: BELOW IS AN EXCERPT FROM A RECENT EMAIL…FROM A PUBLISHER WHO’S INTERESTED IN POSSIBLY MARKETING MY STUFF. ANYONE WHO WANTS TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS ABOUT WHAT I SHOULD INCLUDE (OR WHAT I SHOULD SAY) IN RESPONSE TO THE MISSIVE…FEEL FREE TO LET ME SEE…. Love, Oxie

Richard, we will be accepting new works at the beginning of June. If you’d like to submit a work at that time, I’ll surely give it priority. We’ve discussed at length the type of book for which there is a need in the marketplace: cultural criticism, observation, analysis… making a strong case for supporting America’s literature, poetry, music, visual and plastic arts, theater, dance, etc., with the same gusto we currently support athletic (macho) events and passive (non- interactive) entertainment…. that we are dying from fast-food cultural malnutrition, i.e., adolescent instant gratification… as in the last days of Rome. This is the type of book I feel you could surely produce, that could be a collection of articles you’ve written in the past, compiled with a clearly stated theme or thesis that runs through the entire work, i.e., that is supported by each of the essays or articles.

All the best,

“That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it….” — from Dire Straits

I got zero bucks in royalties for the Knopfler ditty, but that’s kitty milk under the bridge. Don’t ask, please. But…for those of you in true dire straits (or not), feel free to cash in (with me)…if it’s in the cards. To wit, while I’m waiting on a wonderful publisher to come through on a promise, I encourage all readers to find me another. If you hook me up with the right publisher, you’ll be more than welcome to the lion’s share of any good fortune that comes our way. I know alternative books have an understandable history of being in the red, BUT…I think we’re sitting on a possible exception…potentially…with me. How can I think otherwise*?

*Seriously, I wouldn’t hold out much hope for $$ in the Alternative Pub World; there must be a huge publishing scam going on with all the releases going into the bargain bins…like Beckett’s giving birth astride the grave imagery…forceps with baby dropping six feet immediately.

Once I get past dealing with environmental problems associated with certain materials/processes that might be attached to publishing my efforts**, reader colleagues can count on me making it well worth their while (if the gods permit)…helping to circulate Oxwork.

** I might have underscored elsewhere on the site that paper can be made from any plant fiber, not just trees. Readers can explore/encourage new technology available…(so that so-called alternative activist writers do not have to plow ahead…plowing down the forests) by touching base with William McDonough’s and Michael Braungart’s accomplishments in Crade to Cradle. Their ideas about remaking the way we make things in general is truly admirable, BUT…still…there’s the issue of thinking tech is going to enable us to, essentially, keep our lifestyle. The not have to do without notion. That’s a real deal killer by me.

Core activists following new paradigms need and deserve special financial assistance…on their way to helping others see light at the end of the tunnel. We’ll find some way, I suppose. Stay tuned here for other ops that may arise.

Here’s to no tolls,
Oxbucks (The Powers)

P.S. We’ll also focus on recruitment issues, trades and related matters from time to time here…which means we might have just as well titled this section “Something for Something.”