We were lucky to catch up with Allison Blevins recently and have shared our conversation below.
Allison, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I was lucky to study with incredible professors during my MA at Pittsburg State University and my MFA at Queens University. Laura Lee Washburn, a professor at PSU, has been an important mentor throughout my career. She continues to answer questions and offer support even now. In addition to formal education, I’ve learned so much about writing as a publisher. Working at Small Harbor Publishing has taught me about how publishers make decisions and about the process of publication from submission to holding a physical book in your hand. I think working at a literary magazine or small press is one of the best ways to learn about writing and publishing.
Allison, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a queer, disabled writer. I received my MA at Pittsburg State University and MFA at Queens University of Charlotte. I am an Assistant Professor at Nightingale College and a Lecturer for the Women’s Studies Program at Pittsburg State University. I am also a poetry and nonfiction mentor at Middle Tennessee State University.
I am the author of the poetry collection Where Will We Live if the House Burns Down? (Persea Books, forthcoming), the hybrid collection Cataloguing Pain (YesYes Books, 2023), the lyric nonfiction collection Handbook for the Newly Disabled, A Lyric Memoir (BlazeVox, 2022), and the poetry collection Slowly/Suddenly (VA Press, 2021). I am also the author of the chapbooks Keeping Up (Seven Kitchens Press, forthcoming), fiery poppies bruising their own throats (Glass Lyre Press, 2023), my second collaborative chapbook with the poet Josh Davis; Chorus for the Kill (Seven Kitchens Press, 2022), my first collaborative chapbook; Susurration (Blue Lyra Press, 2019); Letters to Joan (Lithic Press, 2019); and A Season for Speaking (Seven Kitchens Press, 2019), part of the Robin Becker Series.
I am the founder and Director of Small Harbor Publishing. I live in Minnesota with her spouse and three children.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I began Small Harbor Publishing in 2018 after the birth of my youngest daughter. I was working from home and just needed a creative outlet to help me feel like I was more than a mother. The magazine quickly grew, and in 2020 we officially incorporated and became a 501 c3 nonprofit. We are a feminist press, and we are committed to diversity and inclusion. We have a mission to address gender parity and marginalization in publishing.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of writing is connecting with folks who see themselves in my work. I often write about my disability and chronic illness. I’ve also had the opportunity to teach workshops and run writing groups with incredible people who have stories that are similar to mine in some way. I’ve been honored to work with so many talented writers and artists in previous editorial roles and at Small Harbor. I learn about writing and grow as a writer through my relationships with the writers we publish.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://allisonblevins.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harboreditions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallharborpublishing
- Other: https://www.smallharborpublishing.com https://bsky.app/profile/smallharborpub.bsky.social