Dear Readers and Writers, (and Hello to you over there in the corner, who have stumbled into this webbernet portal by pure coincidence)
It gives me great pleasure – and a fair amount of relief – to type these humble words. Whether you’re one of the many creative minds that submitted the fruit of their literary labour for our editorial scrutiny, and who so patiently have been waiting for a response, or one of the eager readers who have been “pestering” us about the release of our next anthology since mid-January, you’ll be glad to know that your wait is nearly over.
While the shortlist is all but done, its nature shall remain unofficial until… TUESDAY! That’s right, the shortlist for Lion Lounge Press‘ best ever publication, The Lounge Companion Vol. 2, will be unveiled Tuesday the 9th February 2010 at 9pm (GMT) – on both this page and in the Newsletter.
We will, of course, also be contacting all submitting writers via email, so keep an eye on your inbox Tuesday night, if you’re one of them. Or even if you aren’t! I mean, why not?
The reason for this inexcusable 3 week delay was, as I’ve mentioned before, the fact that we received a whopping 529 submissions, so many of which have been a sheer delight to read and re-read, and that this staggering number prompted us to augment our ambitions and make plans to publish an even bigger, thicker, and more literarily stimulating Companion… which we will! Nearly twice as many writers will find themselves happily shortlisted than we had first intended. Excited yet?
A natural consequence of this delay, unfortunately, is that the publication, too, will be pushed forward in time ever so slightly. Fret not, however, as we’ll have established and announced the new publication date by the end of next week.
As always, feel free to send us your comments, thoughts, and witty banter.
Kindest regards,
L. Terner
Founding Editor
January 17, 2010
The Lounge Companion Vol. 2
Dear All,
I trust that crossing the midnight border into the realm of 2010 went effortlessly, and that you are already enjoying the new year to the fullest. For Lion Lounge Press, New Year’s Eve – aside from the obvious festivities, friendly gatherings, and champagne bubbles – meant that we were no longer accepting submissions for the upcoming sequel anthology, The Lounge Companion Vol. 2.
That’s right. Though we appreciate the attention, if you still want to submit your work for it, I’m afraid it’s too late. Have a look at our Submissions page, however, and read about what other publications we’ve got in store for y’all. And if you feel that any other titles apply to your writing, then you know what to do.
Getting back to TLC2, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. To all of you who sent us the fruit of your creative labour, we raise our goblets in awe and gratitude. We received so many amazing and well-written stories and poems! In fact, we received a whopping 529 submissions – Yes, 529! Since so many of them were print-worthy, there’s actually been talk around the board about pushing back the publication date just a smidgen, in order to be able to produce an even bigger, thicker, more massively bombastic volume of creative writing! But we’ll get back to you about that…
Despite the onslaught of submissions, and the fact that the editorial board is still recovering from New Year’s Eve, we hope to have established the shortlist within, errm, short. Keep checking back here and/or subscribe to our Newsletter to be the first to hear the breaking news.
That’s all for now.
Adios amigos!
L. Terner
Founding Editor
December 23, 2009
Last week’s duel, Multimedia & Season’s Greetings
What-ho-ho-ho, dear Reader!
A short message here, so don’t run away just yet. First of all, we were incredibly thrilled to see so many of you at our premier Lion Lounge Duel, The Battle for Oxford, at the Albion Beatnik Bookstore last week. And while on the topic, I would like to thank all of the contestants for participating and preparing/adlibbing/composing/inventing such marvellous creative stuff, as well as extend a gigantic congratulation to Chris “South Chris” Rogers, who arose victorious at the end of the night. Well done, old chap! I would also like to thank the Albion Beatnik once again for generously allowing us to frolic within its domain.
Head on over to the Events page, where you’ll find some photos of the soirée in question.
Furthermore, you may have noticed that a new icon has found its way into this website’s header. How curious! … In keeping with the times, Lion Lounge Press now has a YouTube presence as well. Follow the link to discover moving picture recordings from the above-mentioned event. More media of the multi-variety will be added to that page in the future as well, so you may want to subscribe to it just in case.
Well, that’s it for now. I shall see you again in 2010.
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year,
L. Terner
Founding Editor
Lion Lounge Press
December 14, 2009
Lion Lounge Duel #1: The Battle for Oxford — Tomorrow!
Just a reminder, people, that the first Lion Lounge Duel ever (!) will take place tomorrow evening at 7.30pm in the auspicious realm of the Albion Beatnik in Oxford.
Things are moving along according to plan, with the sole exception that instead of four contestants, we will now be enjoying the witticism and public agony of three.
Fret not, however, for this well-groomed Lion is of the opinion that this can only make for an even more interesting display of creative carnage. There are still going to be three literarily loco rounds of scholarly rampage, and plenty of wine and good company in-between. Heck, we’ve even managed to secure for you, dear reader, a bit of intermission entertainment in the form of Oxonian poet/comic genius, George Chopping, who no doubt will serve a platter of laughs and a side-order of pensiveness before scurrying off to his 2nd gig of the night. My God, there’s no end to this man’s energy!
So, please, do make an appearance. You’ll not want to miss this…
Oh, and don’t forget we’re having drinks at Raoul’s once the dust has settled.
November 23, 2009
The Lion Lounge Duels: The Battle for Oxford!
Brace yourselves for the first of many Creative Writing Duels, dear Readers.
On the 15th December 2009, starting at 7.30 pm, four young creative minds will be thrown to the Lions, so to speak. Under the strict scrutiny of the editors of Lion Lounge Press, four writers will be made to read, write, and perform before a hungry audience.
The arena in question: The Albion Beatnik Bookshop in Oxford’s Jericho
The four writers: TOP SECRET (for now…)
Four writers will enter, but only one will make it out with artistic pride intact.
And the audience will partake in the spectacle as well!
Scan the Events page for further details, and subscribe to our Newsletter to stay up-to-date.
I look forward to seeing you there!
L. Terner
Founding Editor
November 14, 2009
Newsletter + The Albion Beatnik + More…
Jimney Crickets, have we got some news for you! Literally! To the immediate right of this articulate piece of epistolary marvel you’ll find a bright red sign indicating that we’re now offering to dispatch our very latest News bulletins your way directly through the ether. Sign up today for updates on events, publications, and all things Lion Lounge.
What’s possibly even more exciting is this: Our last publication, The Lounge Companion: A Collection of European Creative Writing, is now being stocked by the Albion Beatnik Bookstore in Oxford’s Jericho – perhaps the jazziest, certainly the friendliest, and undoubtedly and utterly unforgettable, bookshop in Oxford. Thus, if you happen to be in Oxford and you’re in the market for a new Companion, pop in to pick up your own copy, and browse their bookshelves while you’re at it to find infinite treasures of Beat and more.
Oh, lastly, and just to whet your appetite, dear Reader, Lion Lounge Press is planning to host an event of crazily literary proportions sometime very soon, around mid-December in fact, so keep your eyes peeled for updates on that one… In fact, why not start by signing up for our Newsletter (!), and so the circle is complete.
Very good, off I go for now.
L. Terner
Founding Editor
November 5, 2009
Another Exciting Update
Ahoy there, dear reader!
Yes, once again this glorious webbernet portal has been augmented in the most phenomenal way. This time, as you’ve no doubt noticed by now, with the addition of this splendid blog right here, as well as the Twitter feed over there on the right. Check back here for regular updates on Lion Lounge Press endeavours, events and escapades, and – please, for the love of God – if you’re not already following us on Twitter, do so now. Post Haste! With new media spreading its tentacles every which way, there’s no end to the forums, in which this splendid Lion can host and post its witty banter.
What else is new? Well, Lion Lounge Press attended two of Opium Magazine’s Literary Death Matches in as many days, and what an exhilarating display of highbrow showmanship it was. If an LDM is ever held in the vicinity of your home, I strongly urge you to make an appearance!
Lastly, we’re practically being rained upon with short stories and poems for our 2010 publications. It’s wonderful to see how many talented writers there are out there. We’ve received some truly remarkable material so far, but we’re a greedy little lion, and we want more, so keep them coming! If you’re not sure about the procedure, scan our Submissions page for all the details.
Adieu,
L. Terner
Founding Editor
October 29, 2009
What-ho, dear reader, and welcome to Lion Lounge Press!
Before you venture any further into this wonderful website of ours, I would like to direct your attention to the fact that LLP is accepting submissions for its 2010 publications.
Thus, if you happen to be the artistic vessel for a creative labour that you feel may very well be worthy of our attention, then have a look at the Submissions page, scan the guidelines, and see exactly why you ought to submit your work for our resolute scrutiny.
Furthermore, have a look at the Bookshelf, and if you haven’t read the title displayed there already, then you are strongly urged by forces unknown to do so immediately!
Lastly, the website has now been endowed with some rather interesting multimedia as well. Not only are you invited to view the trailer for 2009’s ‘The Lounge Companion’ in the Bookshelf, but some photographs from the launch party of said title are now to be found in the Events section.
