Campus News
By Hannah Kremer, Opinions and Editorials Editor
Last Thursday, creative writing professor Dr. Conner Bassett celebrated the launch of his new publishing company, Bench Editions, with a poetry reading of the press’s first release: a poetry collection by Alyssa Perry entitled “Oily Doily.”
With an Instagram post on Sept. 25, exclusively captioned “we are bench,” Bassett unveiled his newest project: a press focused on publishing experimental poetry and prose. With the intended goal of pushing the bounds of literature, the publication aims to promote writers who seek to communicate through thought-provoking and unconventional methods.
Bassett celebrated the release of his press with a poetry reading on the first floor of McDonald Memorial Library. Robin Robinson and Clocktower Review helped organize the event where poets were invited to read their work, including Xavier University’s own Dr. Kristen Renzi, poet and friend of Bassett’s Kylan Rice and author of “Oily Doily” Alyssa Perry.
Kaylan Rice (left), Alyssa Perry (middle) and Dr. Kristen Renzi (right) read excerpts from their work at the launch of Dr. Connor Bassett’s publishing company, Bench Editions.
Bench Editions was first ideated when Bassett was working towards his MFA at the University of Iowa’s Writers’ Workshop. While at the gym, a friend jokingly suggested creating a publishing company called Bench Press. Originally just a play on words, the idea stuck with Bassett years later.
He describes the “Bench Editions” concept as more than just a quip. The bench represents not only where the reader sits to open a book, but also the workspace on which a writer crafts their novel.
“The lifeblood of the literary community is the small press, especially concerning poetry,” Bassett explained. With his company, he seeks to amplify the writings of authors who go beyond what is distributed in mainstream book industries.
“Literature in the market is often reproduced and reproducible–determined by what has worked or what has been popular in the past–and therefore sometimes is formulaically predictable. Such is the case with what sells,” Bassett said. “What falls outside the market is sometimes unrecognizable as literature and expands what writing is capable of.”
Bassett has since succeeded in releasing Bench’s first publication, “Oily Doily” by Alyssa Perry. In sharp and brazen verses, Perry discusses the idea of being watched, power dynamics, the privilege of watching and choosing when to turn off the screen. She explores the social and digital realm of our society in thought-provoking stanzas.
Students and faculty gathered on the first floor of McDonald Library to listen to poetry from three guest speakers.
“I’ve been a fan of Alyssa’s work since I knew her in graduate school,” Bassett said. “It’s weird. Paradoxically, it’s hermetic and social at once. It kind of scares me.”
Senior English major Laney Konz and Class of 2024 alumna Chloe Salveson were also involved in the project as intern and assistant director, respectively of Bench Editions. Together, they worked to bring the novel into physicality and also organized events promoting “Oily Doily.”
“I hopped into the publishing process a bit late in the game,” Salveson explained. “Our designer, Robin, had already designed the book and put together a beautiful website. I handled the book printing, shipping and other less exciting tasks, and I’ve enjoyed this opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes of setting up a small publishing company.”
Bassett hopes to continue publishing books, with the goal of publishing 2-4 titles yearly. To explore their publications, go to bencheditions.com or their Instagram, @bencheditions.
