Flyfishing is not merely a diversion or pastime, or
even an escape, but rather, a portal of sorts, leading to a harder edged &
brighter reality where more than the expected unfolds & reflection hints at
fractal truths, ever revealed. Our activity, our aim to fish, is only the
departure point to a deeper emersion in the crucible of experience. For me,
artful writing evokes a similar affect. And that is a process shared among us,
& well understood by the authors contributing to the Pulp Fly story anthologies.
Pulp Fly Volume Three is out, with stories by Erin Brock; Alex Landeen; Pete
McDonald; Miles Nolte; Tom Reed; Tom Sadler; April Vokey; Bob White; Steve Zakur;
Jay Zimmerman & Bruce Smithhammer. I was impressed with the idea & the
writing contained in the first two volumes of Pulp Fly, so I contacted
writer/editor Bruce Smithhammer, & he agreed to an interview with Soft~Hackle
Journal, which went thus:
SHJ: This one might make you
feel a little uncomfortable, but SHJ is primarily about fly tying so I have to
ask you this one: Have you ever snipped anything from a pet for use as fly
tying material? the kitty’s whiskers for mayfly tails? Be honest. And don’t worry
this isn’t a purity test. The arctic fox-like tip of Foofoo’s tail, maybe?
Bruce: It doesn't make me uncomfortable at
all, actually. I've snipped materials from many animals, and I really enjoy
making a game out of doing it surreptitiously. It's kind of a "counting
coup" thing. Maybe some day I'll share the recipe for my 'Schnauzer Clouser.'
SHJ:
This one might be uncomfortable too, but salient, I think: If all the fishing
water were suddenly privatized, would you advise carrying fence-cutters?
Bruce: I would advise a lot
more than just carrying fence cutters. I unequivocally believe that the very
heart of our democracy, and the manifestation of the American experiment, are
embodied in our visionary system of public lands. And that's not hyperbole. Only tyrants would seek to
deny people of honest and healthy recreational opportunities on lands that are
currently held in the public trust. And as such, they should be treated they
way tyrants have been throughout history, with the citizenry rising up,
wielding the swift hammer of justice and the unwavering values that prompted
the beginning of this country to begin with. Take that as you will.
SHJ:
Do you think letters of literate discourse & repartee on the internet will
ever meet the artistic depth of civil expression enjoyed in the cafes &
salons of old Paris or Vienna? or have they?
Bruce: I think that as long
as there are literate people, there will be literate discourse. "Civil
expression?" I'm not sure the existentialists, the expressionists, etc.
were all that 'civil,' to be honest.
SHJ:
It’s always been about the words. Beginning with Dame Juliana there has always
been a strong literary tradition juxtaposed with our sport, as well as
journalistic. I love an evocative fiction, but also a straight-forward,
informative how-to article. And I cringe when I read new writers berating ‘mainstream’
publishers for presenting style they consider less than literary, while not
seeming to realize that much of what they condemn was never intended to be
‘creative’ writing, but rather, informative writing. I can think of guys who
are fly-designing savants yet are less than great shakes as writers, but I’m
glad they publish. And that kind of stuff is approachable to kids just starting
out & they learn from it. As for fiction & memoir, the greatest portion
I’m seeing in books & sporting magazines is robustly creative & not
clichéd, there seeming to be a sensitive avoidance of that on the part of
editors these days. Anymore, I don’t think publication is difficult because
publishers are reticent to take chances with new fiction, but rather, there is
an incredible number of good writers working the genre & a fairly limited
number of outlets for the work – competition for available placement is
extremely competitive. Do you agree?
Bruce: Do I agree? Not
entirely, but it would take a short essay to explain why. Suffice to say that I do think there is a fair bit of
risk-aversion in traditional media these days, for all the usual reasons. And
that this isn't coincidental to the current state of things.
SHJ:
What does the publishing landscape look like to you right now (self-publishing
versus traditional publishing) & where do you think it’s going for new
writers who are stretching the genre?
Bruce: Contrary to what a lot
of people seem to be saying right now, I actually think it's a pretty exciting
time in the publishing business. Things are changing rapidly, some old models
are dying, some new ones are taking shape. Volatility breeds opportunity.
Suffice to say that I think there are more opportunities than there have been
in a long time for people to distribute their work to a potential audience, and
a number of the old hurdles are falling by the wayside. "Circulation" for example, is now instantaneous and
international, and doesn't have to be limited by how many units you can afford
to print and mail, for example. But it still takes elbow grease, and knowledge
of how it all works, to publish effectively. I've always believed that if what
you want doesn't exist, then it's time to get off your ass and create it. This
is why we (Michael Gracie, myself and our esteemed contributors) started Pulp
Fly - to take advantage of new technologies to help writers get their work
promoted and distributed. We bring a serious editorial eye, attention to detail
throughout every level of the publishing process, and the promotion and
wide-ranging distribution that we believe our writers deserve. And we're able
to take risks that traditional publishing largely doesn't seem to be willing or
able to take anymore.
SHJ:
Last one. Everybody’s dying to know: Do you think we’ll make it off the planet
on time?
Bruce: Some of us already
have. And that's already more than I should share...
Thanks for that, Bruce. You’re
good off the cuff. Intuit informs me you can
be trusted to drive.
Remember, everybody, Xmas is
coming, & if your knowledge of gear is not at least equal to the angler’s
on your gift list, then you’d better play it safe, do the smart thing, &
buy them a copy of Pulp Fly. http://pulpfly.com/volume-three/
