The Write Stuff

Over the years, Brian Polk has learned that being a loudmouth isn’t always the best way to incite change. “We’re all a little bit older, and the machine has won — kind of,” laments Polk, the man behind Suspect Press, a new zine celebrating its release tonight at the Deer...

By Cory Casciato

December 19, 2013

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Over the years, Brian Polk has learned that being a loudmouth isn’t always the best way to incite change. “We’re all a little bit older, and the machine has won — kind of,” laments Polk, the man behind Suspect Press, a new zine celebrating its release tonight at the Deer Pile. A longtime writer and producer of zines in Colorado, Polk says his latest newsprint adventure promises to be a little less angry and a lot more encompassing of different writing styles and points of view. Plus, Polk has chosen to pay his contributors this time around — something he thinks will lead to better content for readers and a longer-lasting project.

After shutting down his previous zine, The Yellow Rake, Polk wanted to work on a fresh collection of criticisms, fiction and think pieces — so he enlisted friends such as restaurant owner/local culture purveyor Dan Landes and poet Ken Arkind for Suspect Press. The resulting quarterly is free and filled with short stories, music-related interviews, regular columns, real-life reflections, and reviews of local and national albums and books.

Tonight’s program will celebrate the creation of Suspect Press with live readings from renowned slam poets, including Suzi Q. Smith and Arkind, as well as comedy from Kristin Rand and Jim Hickox, live music from Joe Sampson, deejaying by Polk and more. The party starts at 9 p.m. at the Deer Pile, 206 East 13th Avenue. As with all events at the Deer Pile, there will be a suggested donation, but no one will be turned away. For more information, visit facebook.com/suspectpress.
Sat., Dec. 21, 9 p.m., 2013

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