Introducing Linh Nguyen, Associate Producer

Hi, I’m Linh Nguyen, one of the Associate Producer Interns for the Small Press Network Conference.

At the moment I’m in my last semester at Monash University, studying Comparative and International Literature. Once I graduate, I plan on finally getting my drivers licence, finally learning how ride a bike (yes, I know), and – hopefully – finally visiting Japan. Until then, you can find me slaving away at the library as I count down the days toward freedom.

This year SPN turns ten, and to celebrate this momentous occasion we’ll be throwing a good, old-fashioned birthday bash, and you’re all invited! Mark down Friday, 11 November in your diary.

My love affair with small press publishers began when, as a dorky teenager, I first came across the American publication McSweeney’s (Issue 22, to be exact, the one with the magnets!). Over the years I’ve discovered literary journals that are closer to home, such as The Lifted Brow, Kill Your Darlings, and The Canary Press, to name a few. I truly think that independent and small publishing is where the most exciting, experimental, and innovative writing is found; writing that challenges, takes risks, and pushes the boundaries of genre and form. It’s also where you’re most likely find voices and perspectives that aren’t readily embraced by the mainstream.

The ten-year mark is a major milestone for any arts organization, and I’m lucky that SPN is housed in the Wheeler Centre, another young literary institution. I’m really excited to be organising the birthday party for the Conference, we have some amazing speakers and poets lined up, and I look forward to seeing you all there!

You can find me on Twitter @linhtwittler, and I sometimes blog at mesdf.wordpress.com/