Reader Meet Author: Mel Bosworth

I allude to it in my first question, but I feel like should tell the entire story. It was 1996 and I had just graduated high school and was heading to Denison University for a week long writing camp. As part of one of the workshops we were handed a list of reviews, journals, and so on that we could begin to submit our work to. We worked on crafting cover letters to include with our poems and stories as we mailed them around the world. It was somewhat daunting for an 18 year old filled with ideas and words hoping for the day that I could share them. An alphabetized lists journals, most of which I hadn't heard of, how would I know what they wanted? The world lit has clearly changed in the last thirteen years, and the path to becoming published has never been clearer and more accessible.

Writer Mel Bosworth has found his path and it typically runs through the genre of flash fiction. His work has a good dose of humor, and has appeared in decomP, PANK, Full of Crow, Dogzplot, and so many more. He was recently kind enough to answer a few of my questions.

Orange Alert (OA): I suppose it's not a new concept anymore, but when I was growing up I was handed a mailing list at writing camp of places to mail my work. You say that you don't like blogs, but have one anyway. Do you feel the internet is the best way to make a name for yourself in the literary community? Is there an internet community and print community?
Mel Bosworth (MB): Well, I don’t “hate” blogs, just the word “blog.” It sounds nasty to me, like, “Hey, I just dropped a huge blog in there. Wait a few minutes before you go in.” I know it’s short for “web log,” but you’d think they could’ve sliced it differently, or maybe not at all. I’m all for brevity, but was killing the “w” and “e” really essential? I think not.

And as far as using the internet to make a name for yourself in the lit community, it’s certainly not a bad idea. In fact, it’s a damn good idea. It’s without a doubt the most practical. Saves time, money, and you never have to dress up or wear a tie, although I am wearing a suit for this interview. You like it? My cat does.

But seriously, the interweb, despite all my past resistance (it took me years to finally get online) is pretty awesome in terms of getting yourself out there. 3-dimentional self-marketing is time intensive and potentially expensive, but equally important. I’m still practicing that, as well as the whole internet networking thing. Sending an email to someone is far easier than physically walking into a bookstore, introducing yourself as a writer, and then asking for counter or shelf space without sounding pathetic. Again, that requires some personal grooming, whereas sitting at the desk behind closed doors does not. Speaking of which, do you have any flea shampoo? It’s not for me, honest.

Lastly (I know—I’m rambling) I do believe there is an internet community and a print community, although they’re not mutually exclusive. They often bleed together. Right now, I’m more a part of the internet community, and it’s been a fun ride so far. Great people, great places, great fun. Everyone is friendly. We’re all in the same boat. And, more often than not, we’re all chasing what the print community offers: ink, smarminess, and better food.

OA: How did you get to be the first writer published as part of Folded Words "Heron" project? What are your thoughts on what Folded Word is doing?
MB: It’s all about timing, and I caught wind of Folded Word/PicFic/Shape of a Box at just the right time. I stumbled upon PicFic when they first opened their doors. I was still very new to the whole Twitter thing, but I figured it out well enough. The editor (JS Graustein) was kind, awesome, and extremely professional. We hit it off, and the rest is Heron history.

My thoughts on what Folded Word is doing are that they are fearless and know no bounds. They push writers and their work on so many levels and in so many mediums that it’s mind boggling and ferociously admirable. Folded Word is nothing if not ambitious. I’m very lucky to be a part of it.

OA: What’s going on with Flash Fire 500?
MB: Ah, the Flash Fire 500. Thanks for asking. Well, FF500 (as it’s known on the street) is sleeping right now. My life away from my writing grew very busy, and I had to make a choice: Flash Fire 500 or my own silliness. It was a tough decision, but I had to choose the latter. My poetry editor was dealing with some life swirl too, so it was something that needed to happen. I have no idea whatsoever how guys like J.A. Tyler and Blake Butler can manage myriad publications and still find the time to crank out their own work. I’m convinced they have clones, or something.

And the funny thing is, as I was closing the doors of FF500 (but leaving the lights on) things were really starting to pick up. The genesis of FF500 is rooted in anger, interest, and accessibility. I was angry that none of my close writing comrades had taken the initiative to start up an e-zine (or blog-zine—puke) so I took it upon myself to get one going. I was interested in seeing what would happen, what kind of material I would receive, and what I would learn sitting on the other side of the desk. I wanted to create a place that was fun, accessible, and in no way intimidating. I wanted the little guys just starting out to come and knock on our door….we’ve been waiting for you….Sorry, I miss John Ritter.

Anyway, the FF500 experience was/is well worth the time and effort. The caliber of material we received from the equally loaded writers (I’m looking at you Christopher Allen!) was beyond anything I ever could have imagined. So, when the time is right, or when I manage to clone myself, the doors of FF500 will once again swing open. But until then, readers can always read.

OA: What is it about Flash Fiction that appeals to you?
MB: Exactly that: it’s Flash. It’s built for people with short attention spans. Or very busy people. Or very busy writers. It’s also a great challenge. The shorter the piece, the bigger the challenge. I once spent an entire week working on 30 or so words for elimae. I know, it kind of defeats the purpose of Flash Fiction from a writer’s perspective, at least in terms of time management, but it goes to show the care and craft that goes into these works. It’s like building a house from three sticks of wood. Can it be done? Ask Meg Pokrass or David Erlewine. They do it all the time.

OA: What do you look for in a journal when submitting?
MB: High quality presentation, excellent material, and personality. If the journal doesn’t move around in bed, why would I want to submit to it?

OA: What's next for Mel Bosworth?
MB: Hmm…Well, something substantial with a publisher whose name I shall not yet reveal. Something fun. Something for everyone. Something etched into paper with actual ink. Something you can curl up with. Something you can spill coffee on. Something good. I hope. Stay tuned.

Bonus Questions:
OA: If you could sit down to coffee with anyone (alive or dead) who would it be?
MB: Juliette from LOST. Kate who? Yeah, I said it.

OA: What type of music do you enjoy and who are a few of your favorites?
MB: I’ll listen to anything, but I’ll always come back to the stuff that hits me in the head and chest. Favorites right now would be Neutral Milk Hotel, The Black Keys, Brandi Carlile, David Bazan, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, and…MGMT.

For more information on Mel Bosworth please check out his blog.