On Books and Their Harbors
On Books and Their Harbors was born out of a desire to hold space for celebration in a time which has been heavy and grief-filled, space for connection in a moment when we’re all having to keep one another at a physical distance, space to honor the labor that it takes to make art, and to help books find their way to readers. This spring, we watched as book tours, in-person readings, book club meetings, lectures, and bookstore signings were cancelled in the interest of maintaining public safety.
We’ve watched and listened as many writers have struggled to reconcile the need to share their own books, with the extraordinary challenges this pandemic has created, and their grief and awareness of our collective struggle, not just as a people or a nation, but as a world. And just as quickly, we’ve watched with amazement and gratitude, as communities and organizations have come together to re-envision what it means to gather as writers and readers and dream up virtual ways to hold readings, conversations, craft lectures, drawing people together across state and country lines. Still, this is also a time of so many reckonings. In the United States the brutal murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Armaud Arbery, Dominique Fells, Riah Milton, Tony McDade and so many others have sparked national protests over white supremacy, institutional racism, and unconscionable police brutality. With this series, we’ve strived to elevate perspectives traditionally underrepresented in publishing, and showcase independent businesses and unorthodox ways of distributing books. We’ve also made particular effort to highlight the voices of debut authors while recognizing that writers at every stage of their career are hurting right now. We believe this is a moment in which ranging, diverse, and dynamic art is more essential than ever. We believe it matters even more acutely now that books find their way to readers; and we want, in whatever small ways we’re able, to help writers lift up their own work and the expansive creative communities they are a part of. For this series, we’ve asked writers with new work out in the world to reflect not just on their new books but also the organizations and spaces in their communities which have been especially vital for their reading life, and for helping their books find readers, homes, and harbors. We’re honored to share their contributions, and their communities with all of you.