Reader Meet Author: David Oprava

It is a noble mission and one I have the utmost respect for, but you have to the right approach. I feel success in the small press has a lot to do with intent and goal, and from everything that I have seen David Oprava has all the best intentions for his new press Grievious Jones. With hand picked poets and novelists presenting their latest efforts and a sleek uniform appearance, this press has simple goal and an honest approach. It's ultimately about seeking something new and sharing it with the world.

David Oprava, a writer in his own right, has taken a bold step forward and is excited to share these discoveries with you the literary fan. It is a bold and brave move, but a move that keeps the small press vital and growing. His first three books will be released this month.

Recently, David was kind enough to answer a few of my questions.

Orange Alert (OA): So we've cleared up that the name of your new press does not come from a Pixies song, so where does the name Grievous Jones come from?
David Oprava (DO): Grievous Jones originally came from an idea I had in 2008 to do a lit-zine based completely on writing written from the alter-ego, from the “other you" and published under an assumed name. The notion was to publish honest writing simply for the sake of the writing and nothing else. Then, that idea mutated. In the beginning of 2009 I started setting the groundwork for a small, limited edition poetry and prose press that featured only writing that was true, real, and very visceral. I was determined to produce books of seriously high quality, the finish, the paper, cover-art, everything. So, that’s what I’ve done. Grievous Jones came into existence with the sole purpose of being the physical embodiment of what lurks within. In this case, words are just the medium. These are books that are about you, you just don’t know it yet.

OA: It seems like one of the goals of the press it to push the limits a little and not to shy away from certain themes or images. What are some of the other goals of the press?
DO: We are still young and the goals are simple: publish writers who are not afraid to express themselves with clarity and truth, writers who have no pretence or ambition to sound or be poetic, and writers who have a distinct voice. Another goal of GJ is to be fair to writers. I don’t expect to make much, if any, money on this venture, but I am dedicated to the idea that writers get a fair shar, that is why I offer them 50% of all book profits after the recovery of initial costs. This means they might actually make something, albeit pocket change, off the sale of their own work. I know, a novel idea in publishing, go figure.

As far as pushing limits, we have no limits; therefore, that part is easy. Although, I think you might be referring to the cover of Lara Konesky’s book, Next to Guns, and it’s funny how sometimes a single picture of a naked woman holding a gun over her vagina can capture the essence of someone’s poetry, in this case, it definitely did.

OA: You have a very impressive trio of authors lined up for the launch of the press. I am assuming you approached these three, how did you pick these authors and what will your approach be going forward?
DO: I found Lara’s work online and contacted her immediately. It is some of the most real poetry I have ever read. There is no finesse, no schooled metaphors or witty double entendres, it’s just her and her life. As for Joe and Melissa, I like both their work and had met them a few times, done readings with them, and thought they both had voices were distinct and unique in the “underground” lit scene. That being said, I hate all terms of “underground” or “outside” etc., these folks are writers, damn good ones, and just because they are not on Amazon’s top selling list (is any poet?) they should not be relegated to a label.

As for going forward, when I read someone and I am blown away by, I contact them and see if they are interested in doing a book, plain and simple.

OA: You are also working on another imprint called American Mean. What can we expect from American Mean?
DO: American Mean is something I am extremely, extremely excited about. Being an American expat living in the UK, I have always had an affinity for writing that I consider to be uniquely American. Once the ball started rolling with GJ it was easy to envisage a small imprint of the Press dedicated to voices that roll out of the American soul, its middle, and that’s why I contacted Karl Koweski, John Dorsey, and Misti Rainwater-Lites. They are all old pros at the writing and publishing game and they remain some of my favorite writers out there today. I was thrilled that they wanted to take part. Each one of their books is going to be a new chapter in the American canon, I can feel it, and I hope under the shield of American Mean, we can start to push poetry back into the hands of students, housewives, check-out girls, octogenarians. That is what you can expect starting next April when the first three books are released.

OA: With all of this challenging work and dedication to the small press, are you still finding time to focus on your own writing? How are you balancing that?
DO: Luckily I have, and imagine I always will, write because I have to. It keeps me more or less sane and I am scared of what would happen if I did not write. This keeps me motivated and I still find time in the recesses of the early morning or whilst the kids are in the bath to pound out some verse. I am still going, still writing, still publishing work, if that ever stops, then something else will have to go, maybe bathing.

OA: What's next for Grievous Jones Press?
DO: We have the big launch of the first three books, Next to Guns by Lara Konesky, Baby, I’m Ready to Go by Melissa Mann, and the novel Last Days of the Cross by Joe Ridgwell taking place in London on Sept. 25th. The books are available now for pre-order on www.grievousjonespress.com and will be released on Sept. 5th. After that, it is on to American Mean and the release of those books in 2010. And then, we’ll just have to see. There is no shortage of good writers out there.

For more information on David Oprava and Grievous Jones Press please visit their website.