Skanky Possum

Skanky Possum was an independent American poetry journal and book-publishing imprint founded in Austin, Texas, by poets and editors Hoa Nguyen and Dale Smith. The publication began in fall 1998 and operated for roughly fourteen years, producing a small number of carefully curated issues rather than pursuing mass circulation. Its principal periodical was a staple-bound journal that ultimately reached 11 issues and appeared twice a year. Annual circulation was reported at approximately 300 to 500 copies, placing Skanky Possum within the small-press and limited-circulation literary culture that has long supported experimental American poetry. The journal’s significance lay less in commercial scale than in the range and standing of its contributors. Its pages included work by major and influential poets such as Amiri Baraka, Clayton Eshleman, Robert Kelly, Linh Dinh, Eileen Myles, Kenward Elmslie, Alice Notley, Anselm Hollo, and Diane di Prima. Robert Creeley selected four poems from the journal for inclusion in the 2002 edition of The Best American Poetry, an indication of the publication’s visibility among poets and literary editors despite its modest print run. Contemporary commentary also described the magazine as highly regarded within poetry circles. Nguyen and Smith extended the project beyond the magazine by issuing poetry books under the Skanky Possum imprint. These books included works associated with Tom Clark, Kristin Prevallet, and Sotere Torregian. The imprint therefore functioned both as a periodical and as a small literary press, giving the editors a way to publish poetry in forms that could outlast an individual magazine issue. Skanky Possum belonged to a wider network of independent poetry journals whose small circulations and irregular commercial prospects nevertheless contributed to the vitality of American literary culture. Its editorial model emphasized selection, association, and community over scale. The publication ceased in 2012. No evidence in the supplied references indicates that the imprint continued under new ownership, maintained a current website, or remained commercially active after that date.

Skanky Possum emerged in Austin, Texas, in fall 1998 as a twice-yearly poetry journal curated by Hoa Nguyen and Dale Smith. The project was situated in the American small-press literary scene, where low-circulation journals often provided an important outlet for poets whose work circulated outside mainstream publishing. Rather than building a conventional commercial magazine business, the editors developed a compact, selective publication with a strong literary identity. The periodical was produced in staple-bound form and ultimately comprised 11 issues. Its reported annual circulation of approximately 300 to 500 copies was small, but the journal attracted a notable roster of contributors. Published poets included Amiri Baraka, Clayton Eshleman, Robert Kelly, Linh Dinh, Eileen Myles, Kenward Elmslie, Alice Notley, Anselm Hollo, and Diane di Prima. The breadth of these contributors connected Skanky Possum with several strands of postwar and contemporary American poetry, including experimental, avant-garde, and formally diverse practices. The journal received recognition beyond its immediate readership when Robert Creeley selected four poems appearing in Skanky Possum for the 2002 volume of The Best American Poetry. Literary commentary also characterized the publication as well regarded within poetry communities. These references suggest that its influence was disproportionate to its circulation: the journal operated as a specialist literary venue whose reputation depended on editorial judgment and the quality of its contributors rather than on advertising reach or distribution scale. Nguyen and Smith also used Skanky Possum as a book imprint. The press published several poetry books, including titles by Tom Clark, Kristin Prevallet, and Sotere Torregian. This book program broadened the project from serial publication into more durable author-focused editions and reinforced its role as a small independent poetry press. Skanky Possum continued publishing until 2012, when the journal and imprint ceased operation. The available reference material does not identify a successor organization, acquisition, relaunch, or continuing commercial owner. It is therefore best understood as a defunct literary imprint whose historical importance rests on its contribution to independent American poetry publishing and on the writers it brought together during its fourteen-year run.

• 2012

  Publication ends

  [1]Skanky Possumen.wikipedia.org

  The journal and associated poetry imprint ceased publication.

• 2002

  Recognition through The Best American Poetry

  [1]Skanky Possumen.wikipedia.org

  Four poems originally published in Skanky Possum were selected by Robert Creeley for the 2002 edition of The Best American Poetry.

• 1998

  First issue published

  [1]Skanky Possumen.wikipedia.org

  Skanky Possum began publication in Austin, Texas, with its first issue appearing in fall 1998.

An independent, highly selective small-press poetry journal and imprint serving experimental and contemporary American poetry.

• Poetry journal · 1998

  Skanky Possum journal

  A twice-yearly, staple-bound poetry magazine published from Austin, Texas. Across 11 issues, it presented American poetry by both established and emerging writers, including Amiri Baraka, Clayton Eshleman, Robert Kelly, Linh Dinh, Eileen Myles, Alice Notley, and Diane di Prima. Its small annual circulation of roughly 300 to 500 copies reflected its independent small-press model.

• Poetry books

  Skanky Possum poetry books

  A series of poetry books issued through the Skanky Possum publishing imprint. The editors published books associated with poets including Tom Clark, Kristin Prevallet, and Sotere Torregian, extending the imprint’s role beyond the journal and providing individual works with book-length publication.

1. 1Skanky Possumen.wikipedia.org