Rinky Dink Press launched the first series of their new zines Friday night, revealing the collaborative work of creative-writing students and poets from the Phoenix area.
Rinky Dink press is dedicated to promoting single-author collections of micro-poetry. The writers were invited to read their work at the event.
Creating poetry that is condensed to a few words is a good training tool, Dombrowski said, adding that when you’re being concise, each word has value.
“Micro poetry is about a tiny product that does not suppress quality,” said Rosemarie Dombrowski, curator of the Rinky Dink Press and professor at Arizona State University.
Dombrowski said {9} The Gallery was selected to release their publication because of the support it provides to the poetry community.
At the launch, the retro theme of the collection was expressed throughout the night. The authors read their work throughout the evening, and a DJ was spinning vinyl. There were “box sets” and singles of the Rinky Dink Press collection for sale, which featured unique cover art reflecting the content within.
Dombrowski said the Rinky Dink Press collection would not have been successful if not for the hard work and dedication of her students.
The zine format allows poetry to be shared in a less-demanding way and with less commitment, compared to purchasing a book, Dombrowski said.
The product is also less expensive to produce, making it more accessible to anyone who is looking to read poetry, Lockhart said.
“A micro-zine is poetry in a mini skirt,” Lockhart said.
When purchasing the collection of zines, the reader gets a flavor of different writers filled with individualized experiences, Lockhart said.
Kitt Keller, a poet included in the Rinky Dink Press spring collection, said being apart of Rinky Dink Press creates a place where students can get introduced to the publishing world. She said the collection of zines allows students to be engaged in the art world and have experience producing poetry.
The collection makes poetry more desirable and approachable and makes poetry less scary, Keller said.
Rinky Dink Press will have another open submission for three months during the summer.
Looking forward, the press strives to invent an inclusive art community where authors feel comfortable to express their work and feel included.
“Zines are enhancing the art scene of downtown Phoenix as it grows and demands a diverse audience,” said Nadine Lockhart, editorial assistant at Poetry Flash and co-founder of the Phoenix Poetry Series.
Contact the reporter at Ashley.Halpern@asu.edu.
