Doug Nordfors asks a lot of pointed questions in the year’s first issue of C-VILLE:
Shouldn’t C-VILLE, as a newspaper in a city with such a writerly reputation, be truly inundated with literary stuff? Shouldn’t my groan be replaced by a blood-curdling scream as another local literary journal arrives at our office a week after VQR does, and another one three weeks after that—these, unlike VQR, with all local contributors? Shouldn’t we be getting more than a trickling stream of press releases about local literary events? Shouldn’t we be almost at a loss as to how to cover all these aesthetic goings on with the necessary depth? Moreover, even though the fact that we don’t receive more fine local books of poetry and novels has a lot do with the limitations of the publishing industry, it still seems that we should run out of space to put them all.
Behind the exaggeration lies a plain fact: While Charlottesville is without a doubt a comparatively literary city with big events like the wonderful—even if oddly named—Festival of the Book, it’s not a vibrant literary city. Typically, the blame for this situation is placed on the writers themselves, which is to some extent warranted. A competitive spirit, and not simply solitary time spent behind closed doors in pursuit of the right word or sentence or line or character detail, can put a damper on a literary community. But readers in general (which should, for God’s sake, include writers) have to band together in order for serious sparks to fly.
He concludes by wondering whether “Charlottesville has the capacity to ratchet up its literary reputation several notches.”
I think it has. I think Charlottesville has the capacity and the local talent to do just about anything it wants to do. So, what can I do to help? If there’s a book by an area author you’d like to see covered here, let me know about it. If you’re a local author, let us hear from you.
Filed under: authors, books, charlottesville, reading, virginia, writing | Tagged: C-Ville Weekly, Doug Nordfors, literary community, VQR
Don’t you think there is an immense amount of talent over at cVillain.com? I may be biased, but I’m always impressed by the writing skills of our contributors.
Tremendous talent at cVillain.com, no question. I think it should have its own tv show.
So, in order to create a “vibrantly literary city,” readers and writers must all become promoters? Why can’t C-Ville Weekly staffers do more than wait for information/magazines to land on their desks?
I think for one thing, they could go cover the events we do have, the way music acts and gallery exhibitions are now being covered. I don’t know, maybe showing up to watch a reading wouldn’t be a great journalistic experiences, but I’ve seen some authors here whose work provoked intense discussion with the audience on issues of current importance — Morris Berman at New Dominion a couple of years ago, for instance. That event would have made a good story.
As for dearth of literary magazines, you and I have discussed this before, C. — it’s not lack of talent in this town, it’s lack of funds and lack of editors willing to volunteer the hours and hours of hours of hard work it would take. I’d love to see a non-UVa literary magazine in this town, but until someone with the money and the time steps up…?
[...] Contact Me ← Cville “not a vibrantly literary city” [...]
There is (or was) a non-UVa Litmag — the Charlottesville Writing Center published Streetlight for several years running. Is it dead now?
I think it is. The last issue that came out was the Fall 2006 issue, and the website hasn’t been updated since. I hope someone will correct me if I’m wrong.
You’re probably right. The CWC’s offerings have definitely dwindled as its founding members have moved on to other pursuits; it’s a shame.
If by literary city you mean the number of people who read books — Charlottesville is very high up there. The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library has the highest per capital circulation in the country in its population size. Last year during THE BIG READ — hundreds of people read THE GREAT GATSBY and attended book discussion events. March/April of this year THE BIG READ will be TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Check the website for events that will be continually added.
[...] Charlottesville Words is discussing Charlottesville’s failure to become vibrant literary city. I think everyone is using their talent on this site. Elizabeth said we needed our own TV show? Who’s got video equipment? [CWords] [...]
If you charge for submissions, and charge for copies of the magazine, that should offset at least part of the money/unpaid time factor.
We’re trying to do our part to keep things local and keep people reading.
Check out: http://www.cvasports.com
It’s an all local, all the time website dedicated to spotlighting all the positive news in Central Virginia athletics.
Does the C-ville Weekly know about your site?
One way for Charlottesville to become more a literary town would be to record as many readings as possible.
I would gladly lend out recording equipment to people who wanted to record events at New Dominion, or at other readings. That would give others who can’t attend the chance to listen in, on their own time, either at their computer or with an iPod.
[...] 11, 2008 · No Comments Sean Tubbs of Charlottesville Podcasting Network comments: One way for Charlottesville to become more a literary town would be to record as many readings as [...]
[...] 22, 2008 · No Comments In this vibrant, literary city, yet another local author is about to make the scene: Jenny Gardiner’s novel, Sleeping with [...]