Bedlam still publishing seven years later

by Elysia Conner
Monday, January 18, 2010 5:06 PM MST

What kind of place would it be if creative writers and artists kept their work hidden away on hard drives and in notebooks?

The founders of Bedlam Publishing knew too many, including themselves, who seemed to be writing only to themselves.

So, seven years ago, two cousins, Scott Dvarishkis and Domanick Dvarishkis along with their friend Josh Smith, decided to do something about it. Thus, “The Bedlam Reader” came to be. Nancy Moran, Greg Hirst and Fara Donathan have since joined their counter-culture literary publication effort, and all have created an even better and bigger new publication.

The six writers who deliver “The Rag” each month are the first to admit that they do it for the fame. It might be small-scale, but it’s encouraging for writers to see their name in print and know people are reading, Hirst said.

“We want to bring that to other people,” Smith said. It gives writers an incentive, boosting Casper’s creative output.

“The main drive was just to get other people involved,” Scott Dvarishkis said. While it’s on a small scale and they can’t pay featured writers, it gives a taste of what it’s like to be published, he added.

For the last seven years, the crew gladly has poured their time, talent and money into the free publication. Why? Because they believe that independent, underground publishing is the truest and purest form of literary expression alive in the world today.

They hope to be a stepping-stone for artists and writers, and encourage anyone interested to submit their work. They plan to feature more visual art and welcome those submissions as well.

A new edition of “The Rag” is due to come out this week, and will be distributed at Sonic Rainbow, The Ink Spot, Ralph’s Books & Cards, and Wind City Books.

The six lead busy lives with various combinations of work, college and family. But they meet each Wednesday to plan and create the magazine. Staple parties are a staple in their routine to put it all together.

Some things change, some don’t

Some things have changed over the past seven years. A few staff members have come and gone.

But generating a community of literary people has always been the goal.

“We love nothing more than to print other people’s work,” Smith said, and “we’re all about helping people.” As editors and those knowledgeable about literature through education and passion, they are willing to help others with projects and quests to be published.

Through technology, Bedlam Publishing has gained national readers and contributors and even gained attention around the world. Links to their Twitter and Facebook pages and more can be found on their main Web site at www.bedlam publishing.com.

Michael Phillips from Florida has been a regular contributor after meeting Smith on the Web site of his favorite writer, Jeff Vandermeer. Phillips has guest blogged Vandermeer’s site.

Chester, the grinning character in the symbol invented by Scott Dvarishkis, has changed a little too.

He may have more of a career ahead of him too, with great potential as a comic book character, Domanick

Bedlam Publishing contests

All artists submitting to Bedlam Publishing will retain their copyright and trademark to the work.

In addition to these monthly contests, Bedlam is also accepting flash fiction, feature articles and visual art.

Submissions may be sent with proper headings to bedlampublishing@hotmail.com or through the submission form at www.bedlampublishing.com.

Monthly Rag Fiction Contest

Original pieces of short fiction can be submitted with the heading “Rag Fiction Contest.”

First-place winners will be printed in the next issue of “The Rag” and runners-up will have their work featured online.

Submissions in by the 10th of each month will be accepted for competition in the following issue.

Any genre, style, topic and format of short fiction, preferably less than 3,000 words, will be considered.

The Rag Featured Poet Contest

With the heading “Featured Poet,” send at least four poems or enough poetry to fill four pages.

The chosen one will be interviewed and will be the sole poet in an issue.

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