Eckleburg‘s NY Editor, Lisa Marie Basile, discusses her history with the Review, life in NYC and her goals as Assistant Editor and NY Coordinator.
Q: How did you learn about/become involved with Eckleburg?
LMB: In 2009-2010, I was writing both fiction and poetry. Heavily influenced by magic realism, after devouring everything by Isabel Allende, I came across Moon Milk Review. Rae Bryant read (and loved, luckily!) my piece “The Last Moment in Mexico,” which she published. Soon after, I had read with her as part of MMR, and did a series of wild, fun and creative events with her. Later, I worked with her on her book The Indefinite State of Imaginary Morals. Naturally, I’ve been reading and loving Eckleburg.
Q: What role at Eckleburg do you have?
LMB: I’ll be soliciting work from the many incredible working writers and poets living in or writing about New York. I’ll also be taking part in the planning of Eckleburg/Rue de Fleurus Salon events in NYC and promoting the Review as a whole to NYC. I’m like an ambassador—always looking to add the varied NYC aesthetic and work mediums to Eckleburg. I’m also teaching for Eckleburg Workshops.
Q: What are you looking for in submissions?
LMB: I’ll be asking poets and writers I love to submit to Eckleburg for publication consideration, but I also urge anyone in the NY area to submit directly to the site. I’m looking for tightly-written, thoughtful and well-executed work. Work that understands its own voice and isn’t simply trying it on. Work that makes me scream HOLY SHIT. I do not enjoy safe, and I do not find pop-culture references alluring if they’re not absolutely purposeful and organic. I do love exploration of form. While I love expert lineation, I also love fluidity and musicality of voice. I am also looking for work that reflects the diversity of NY itself in both culture and gender. Translations, literally or otherwise, are welcome.
Q: What have been one or two of your favorite pieces you have seen in Ecklbebur so far?
LMB: I adored the 5 poems by Sasa Perugini translated by Linda Kalaj and “Average Ordinary Trainwreck” by Ruther Berger.
Q: What are some of your publications?
LMB: My chapbook, Andalucia, was published by the Poetry Society of NY in 2011. They produce the Annual NYC Poetry Festival and do a variety of performance productions, including the Poetry Brothel. My second chapbook, triste, was published by the amazing Kristy Bowen of Dancing Girl Press. Later this year, war/lock, a chapbook, will be released by Hyacinth Girl Press. My full-length, APOCRYPHAL, will be published by Noctuary Press, edited by Kristina Marie Darling, one of my favorite poets—also featured here at Eckleburg!
Q: How do you approach writing?
LMB: Honestly, without caring about trend or other people.
Q: In 5 words or less, describe what kind of a journal you think Eckleburg is.
LMB: Honest. Unafraid. Loud. Intellectual. Bloody.
Q: Anything else you want to share?
LMB: Find me here: lisamariebasile.tumblr.com
Lisa Marie Basile is the founding editor of Luna Luna Mag, a mischievous little women’s arts & culture site. She also edits the micropress Patasola Press and is co-editor for Diorama Journal. Her work can be seen in Best American Poetry, Poets & Artists Magazine, PANK Magazine, The Nervous Breakdown, La Fovea and others. She is the author of Andalucia (The Poetry Society of New York) and Triste (Dancing Girl Press). Her newest chapbook, war/lock, is forthcoming from Hyacinth Girl Press in 2014. Noctuary Press, run from University of Buffalo, will publish her full-length poetry collection, APOCRYPHAL in June 2014. Lisa Marie has edited for SUNDRESS Publications and WEAVE Magazine. She has taught poetry at The Brooklyn Brainery and was poet-in-residence at Westfield High School. She is an assistant editor for Fifth Wednesday Journal and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize twice. She is a graduate of The New School’s MFA program for creative writing.