Interview with Umbrella Factory, a New Online Literary Magazine

This is an interview I conducted with the owners of Umbrella Factory, a new online literary magazine. Read the interview, check out their site and submit you work -- submit, submit, submit!

Why did you guys begin Umbrella Factory?

UF: We wanted a place where writers and poets could come together and develop a community--both real and virtual. We also wanted to create something meaningful. We've all been doing these jobs we don't really care about, and Umbrella Factory was our opportunity to do something with purpose. Hell, with this horrible economy, why not create something like Umbrella Factory? A place where we can employ our friends and develop a culture of creative minds. We're like the island of misfit toys, right? We don't belong anywhere but here. Long term-we hope Umbrella Factory lasts for generations, meaning the next crop of writers and readers, developers of origami raindrops and dreamers are yet to be born. We're starting a magazine, but we're neither starting a movement nor a community; we're doing our best to contribute to an existing community.

Why was the name "Umbrella Factory" chosen?

UF: Over the last few decades, American manufacturing has tapered off as globalization opened the door to a variety of new benefits and challenges. What's left behind is a culture of service rather than production. We saw Umbrella Factory as our opportunity to manufacture something real, tactile. Specifically, "factory" instills this idea of industry and production. Then there's the "umbrella" part. Metaphorically, at least, umbrella is potent, encompassing and inherently protective. We also view the consumption of culture--literature, movies, music, whatever--as a portable shelter that can allow us to move more efficiently through the climate around us. Of course, it's not just one piece that protects us, right? It's not just books, it's also visual art, or a great summer hit. Those all make up this idea of the "umbrella" and to say that we are workers in the factory is an important gesture for us as editors taking part in manufacturing something whose demand is perpetual.

What is the goal of Umbrella Factory?

UF: To deliver the public option. We're just doing our part.

What types of submissions does Umbrella Factory accept (criteria, publishing rights, etc)?

UF: In the largest sense: fiction, poetry, non-fiction. We're not a niche publication, we want all good writing. We're trying to give a voice to the next generation of great writers. For the specifics, please check out our website. We want new work, original work.

Why should prospective writers publish their work on Umbrella Factory? Are there any monetary payments?

UF: Well, everyone should remember we're a young publication. We're trying to cultivate relationships. Relationships are important in any field. We're trying to promote our writers as extensively as possible. We don't just let a writer's work get one run and die. Our goal is to promote our writers as much as possible. As we say: "Our best is your best." Monetary payments? Well, no. We don't have big dollars coming in from advertisers. That means, of course, that we don't have any limits to who we publish or represent. We are a writers' publication. Our promotion of our contributors' work means exposure for them. We're trying to get as many readers as possible for our writers.

What will Umbrella Factory online consist of? How often will it be published?

UF: Aside from the current and archival issues, we'll also have a forum on our site. We believe the forum will help to cultivate community between readers and writers. A discussion or an argument or debate is the first line in establishing dialogue and then a community. We're offering workshops that you can register for online. We believe this will bring people together in a smaller scale. These workshops help the participants to interact with one another and build personal relationships. Oh, how can we forget, within the year we'll also have a online bookstore.

Our writers are showcased quarterly: March, June, September and December in Umbrella Factory Magazine.

How can others, besides writers, support Umbrella Factory?

UF: As we say: Submit. Comment. Subscribe. Tell everyone you know. Stay dry.

Tell us more about your promotion of work to the Pushcart Prize and other third party anthologies.

UF: Third party anthologies are a path towards greater distribution and a wider readership. Remember: "Our best is your best." We are doing our best to further the careers of our writers, promotion to third party anthologies is one of the ways to do it.

Tell us about the Umbrella Factory workshops and why writers should attend.

UF: The workshops are not just for writers, although our workshops will definitely benefit writers. They are for anyone and everyone interested in writing, the writing process and literature. The short story and feature length film workshop, for instance, has very little writing to it; it's a discussion workshop. But we hope to fill these workshops because they help to build relationships, not only for us but for everyone involved. Also they're going to be a great time. All the money we raise in 2010 goes directly to our 2011 print budget.

What is the best way to contact Umbrella Factory?

UF: On the contact page of our website.or become our fan on Facebook.

Where do you see Umbrella Factory in the future?

UF: The future? We definitely want to leave room for the UF to grow in any direction that helps us evolve. Specifically, we're looking toward owning an independent bookstore, a physical location with our offices and press. This makes it easy for everyone and anyone to come and see us--the Umbrella Factory pilgrimage, if you will.

Umbrella Factory is holding a fund raiser (of its 2010 operating budget) on January 17, 2010 at 7:30 PM at PS 1515, 1515 Madison Street (Corner of Colfax and Madison) in Denver, Colorado. What can fund raiser attendees expect?

UF: First and foremost all proceeds go to our 2010 budget. A close second is the best party anyone has ever seen. We really want people to have a good time. It's worth mentioning the good people at the PS lounge and their support. If anyone knows how to throw a party, it's them. We're going to enjoy live music too. What a great way to support your local small press.

Is there a physical location, a place for snail mail?

UF: The physical address depends on the success of the fundraiser.