The Callum MacDonald Memorial Award 2013

One of the most fascinating and beautiful niche markets of Scottish literature is the publication of poetry pamphlets.  The printing of pamphlets to disseminate ideas is not a new phenomenon, indeed it’s been happening in Britain and the rest of Europe since the Early Modern Period (a wise historian will no doubt be able to find even earlier examples of printing), and yet it is something that has fallen to the wayside.  Creating attractive and exciting printed material takes time and passion, and in an internet-led world in which convenience has won the battle for the mainstream audience’s attention, it takes a certain kind of person to commit their time and passion to creating a unique printed pamphlet.

Thankfully, here in Scotland we do show our appreciation for those individuals who believe there is something to cherish in holding onto a brand new printed pamphlet.  Scotland’s best and brightest in pamphlet poetry gathered on the evening of Thursday 16^th May 2013 to celebrate the 13^th Callum MacDonald Memorial Award “created to recognise publishing skill and effort; to validate the practice ofpoetry publication in pamphlet form; and to encourage the preservation ofprinted material of this kind in the national collections.”  The ceremony, held annually at the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, was formal yet friendly affair.  Although I had never come across much pamphlet poetry or the publishers and authors who created it before, I felt welcomed and knew that I would never ignore the importance of pamphlet poetry again!

The ceremony began with a speech from Darryl Mead, Dept. National Librarian, who thanked the audience for attending, appearing genuinely pleased to see such a large and eager audience.  After Mr. Mead came the wonderful Tessa Ransford who, as always, exquisitely articulated her love of poetry and the sheer quantity of the submissions for this year’s awards.  After this, Lesley Harrison whose pamphlet Ecstatics: A Language of Birds published by Brae Editions won the award in 2012, took to the stage to explain how the writers award, a two-week position as Michael Marks Poet in Residence at the Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece, was an exceptional experience that not only allowed her to be surrounded by ‘beautiful places and people’, but also enriched her subsequent writing.

Finally, Athens born Lady Marks took to the stage to give a brief account of her adoration for Scotland and its arts and literary heritage, explaining that this was the reason why she was passionate about supporting the Callum MacDonald Memorial Award.  Her Greek lilt filled the room with anticipation as she read the shortlist:

• HanselCooperative Press and WoodendPublishing for Reflections by Yvonne Gray and John Cumming
• HappenstancePress for After the Creel Fleet by Niall Campbell
• MariscatPress for On Time by Donald Mackay
•  NewVoices Press for Holding by Maggie Rabatski
•  RoncadoraPress for Nest by Tom Pow and Hugh Bryden
• StewedRhubarb Press for The Glassblower Dances by Rachel McCrum
  

After the congratulatory applause, Lady Marks revealed the runner-up: Roncadora Press for Nest by Tom Pow and Hugh Bryden.  Roncadora Press are well known to the Callum MacDonald Memorial Award, having been shortlisted for Hugh Brydon’s If Ah Could Talk Tae the Airtists in 2008 and winning the award in 2009 for Postcards from the Hedge, a collection of poetry by Hugh McMillan with Illustrations by Hugh Bryden. 

Lady Marks with 2009 winners Hugh Bryden and Hugh McmIllan

Next came the most anticipated moment of the night, the disclosure of the winner: Stewed Rhubarb Press for The Glassblower Dances by Rachel McCrum.  Rachel and her fellow creator at Stewed Rhubarb, James T Harding, took to the stage to receive their reward:  a cheque for £800, which is awarded to the publisher of the pamphlet and the Callum Macdonald Quaich, which winners keep for 12 months.  Rachel will also take up the two-week position as Michael Marks Poet in Residence at the Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece later this summer.  Once the audience had applauded- noticeably the loudest applaud of the evening-Rachel took to the podium to read from her winning collection.  Rachel later revealed that, while James had known about their win for a couple of weeks, he did not tell her, so her “tonguetiedness” and beaming smile was “entirely genuine”.

Stewed Rhubarb Press was founded in 2012, just under a year ago, according to founder and Editor James T Harding, who admits that he “didn't go into pamphlet publishing for the glitz and glamour” and found winning the coveted poetry pamphlet award a “surreal affair”.  For a new publisher to win such a prestigious award for niche book production is not only tremendously exciting, but it is also hugely influential.  Both Rachel and James looked genuinely thrilled to receive the award.  They are young and vibrant, and you can’t help but feel excited about their future in poetry.

Both Rachel and James feel it to be a huge achievement to have won: “It's a serious honour to have won this award, and [we] can't thank this year's Callum Macdonald team enough for their recognition and encouragement."  The vital word here is ‘recognition’.  As a young publication Stewed Rhubarb Press will be able to absorb such recognition and use it to project itself into the world of indie publications.  Scottish poetry pamphlets may very well be consigned to independent book shops, subscription or word of mouth, but that’s not to say with publishers like Stewed Rhubarb at the helm this is where they will stay.   The duo clearly views poetry as an important art form, and are not willing to let it die.  Rachel is well known for her performance poetry and is also one half of ‘lyrical cabaret’ duo Rally & Broad.  There is something new, modern and long-lasting about this new wave of poetry.

Rachel McCrum and James T Harding

For Rachel McCrum, new developments in digital design and printing allows for young people like herself to get her material into the hands of interested reads:  “Poetry pamphlets are important, and with advances in digital publishing and design, it is easier than ever to produce high quality, affordable booklets. When James and I started Stewed Rhubarb last July, we had no idea we'd be standing on the steps of the NLS holding the Callum Macdonald quaithe less than a year later, but I am so, so glad that we did decide to start it. For me, publishing the pamphlet was the first step to taking myself a little more seriously as a writer. It was also a way to get my work out there - I perform at gigs at least once a week, and having portable, beautiful little collections that I could sell for less than the price of a pint has been a huge boost.”

Rachel McCrum
Image courtesy of Chris Scott,
Literary Paparazzo

Ultimately, everything about Stewed Rhubarb Press is exciting, and fits snugly within the current trend for independent and self-publication.  Their win on Thursday evening was significant, not just for Rachel and James, but for the entire poetry pamphlet scene, because they have adapted an age-old niche object and made it interesting and exciting, and I for one, cannot wait to see where this accolade takes them.

All of the pamphlets mentioned above are available to purchase but, as you can imagine, they have relatively small print runs.  The best way to find about getting your hands on them is getting in touch with the writers and publishers directly.

More information can be found at the dedicated Scottish Pamphlet Poetry site.