Featherproof Books

In 2005 Jonathan Messinger and Zach Dodson formed Featherproof Books, an independent publisher based in Chicago and "dedicated to the small-press ideals of finding fresh, urban voices ignored by the conglomerates"[1]. "Using a dose of humor" [2], they publish perfect bound fiction, as well as downloadable mini-books. "Similar to the hands-on nature of indie music labels, Featherproof works with each writer directly, on everything from how a book cover looks to promotion" [3]. Many independent publications and presses like Featherproof have experienced anxiety in recent years due to the growth of the internet as a means for writers to gain exposure. Featherproof thus seeks a balance between embracing developing technology and defending the printed page. Their "imagination and synthesis of print/web content seems vital to indie press survival" [4]. In 2007 Newcity Chicago named Featherproof on the "Lit 50" list[5].

Books

• The Enchanters vs. Sprawlburg Springs by Brian Costello
• Sons of the Rapture by Todd Dills
• Degrees of Separation, edited by Samia Saleem
• Hiding Out by Jonathan Messinger
• This Will Go Down on Your Permanent Record by Susannah Felts
• boring boring boring boring boring boring boring by Zach Plague

Mini-Books

Mini-books are a series of self-contained short stories published periodically. These stories are available online, downloaded and printed on ordinary paper by the reader and folded into pocket-sized books. The books and their instructions can be found at Featherproof.com.

"The Light Reading series is an expanding group of short stories readers can download and print off Featherproof's website and fold together to create a slim, easy read, perfect for long commutes on the el where space is limited and staring at the person across the aisle can only go on for so long"[6].

The free mini-books are authored by writers from Chicago and across the United States. Featured stories have "navigated such diverse topics as failed love, competitive familial golf games and vampires in graveyards" [7].

Contributors

Brian Costello, Todd Dills, Samia Saleem, Jonathan Messinger, Patrick Somerville, Anne Elizabeth Moore, Kevin Sampsell, Fred Sasaki, Scott Stealey, Kyle Beachy, Jeb Gleason-Allured, Kerri Mullen, Elizabeth Crane, Ryan Markel, Pete Coco, Andrea Johnson, Ambrose Austin, Kate Axelrod, Tobias Carroll, Mary Cross, Paul Fatturoso, Abby Glogower, Laura Bramon Good, Amelia Gray, Mary Hamilton, Rana Kelly, Heidi Laus, Susan Petrone, Jay Ponteri, Fred Sasaki, Timothy Schaffert, Zach Stage

External links

• Featherproof Books
• Featherproof on Myspace
• boring boring boring boring boring boring boring website
• Time Out Chicago's book blog, edited by Jonathan Messinger
• This Will Go Down on Your Permanent Record website
• Zach Dodson and Brian Costello on WNUR's The Lit Show

References

Hospodka, John. "Three Questions for Jonathan Messinger, Featherproof Books", Gapers Block, August 31 2006. Accessed September 04 2007.

Breyne, Tiffany. "Featherproof offers light and 'enchanting' reads", The Columbia Chronicle, 2006. Accessed September 04 2007.

Larimer, Kevin. "Featherproof Books: Using a Dose of Humor to Sell Fiction", "Poets & Writers," 2006. Accessed September 10 2007.

Pearson, Laura. "Preserving Our Independents: Featherproof Books", "Is Greater Than," February 25 2008. Accessed May 29 2008.

Lynch, Tom. "Lit 50: Who really books in Chicago", "Newcity," 2007. Accessed September 10 2007.

Templeton, Patty. "Independent presses can exist: The rise of Featherproof Books", Venus, 2006. Accessed September 10 2007.

Bond, Veronica. "Feature: Featherproof Books Light Reading Series", Gapers Block, November 8 2006. Accessed May 29 2008.