Irreverence in print

When Paulette Rees-Denis and Mark Insalaco set out to name their new self-published literary magazine, now called the Irreverent Fish, they chose the “fish” part of the title easily.”The ooligan is a fish,” Insalaco said, referring to the Portland State publishing program, Ooligan Press. “So I said, a fish, well how about an irreverent fish?”The catchy name seems to have done the magazine well. The founders said that the magazine has been getting a great deal of recognition after the publication of just one issue.The duo, co-publishers and co-founders of the magazine, started it as an outlet for people who wanted to get something published. As graduate students, they used the knowledge and capability they gained from the Portland State publishing program to put out the magazine.Insalaco said he is surprised at how strong the response has been to the publication. “I have been hearing about it from all over the place.”While Insalaco does all of the design of the journal, Rees-Denis does the editing. Rees-Denis said that they have received many submissions, and that for the next issue she will probably have to start turning down some submitted material.”We got great submissions. It is very exciting,” she said.Rees-Denis and Insalaco used their allotment of graduate Xerox copies to publish the first 100 copies of the issue, and printed off a few in color. Rees-Denis said that she is accepting submissions from all students, but particularly the ones in the English, writing and publishing departments. The submissions also don’t have to be only literary works, but can be art as well.”I wanted to get to know everyone in the program,” Rees-Denis said. “I’m all about uniting the tribes.”The pair is currently working on getting the magazine published online through the Ooligan Press website. “If someone wants one in print, we can print it off for them,” Insalaco said.They are also looking into seeking funding as a student group from the Student Fee Committee. Insalaco said that he is going to be meeting with Justin Bernstine of Student Affairs on Tuesday to discuss the issue.Bernstine said that it is up to the SFC committee to decide on the funding of these programs. Both are just waiting and watching to decide what to do next.Rees-Denis is not positive how long she will stay working editing and publishing the magazine, but is going to stick with it for now and wants it to continue on in the future.”I hope students will want to work with it,” she said. “There are so many little ‘zines, though.”Insalaco said that he also isn’t positive how long his future with the publication will last, but is looking to stay in this area of work, after working 10 years in corporate group design. He hopes that in the future he can start another publication dedicated exclusively to photojournalism.With Rees-Denis teaching dance, completing her book, attending graduate classes and Insalaco working around 20 hours a week in the STA Mac lab and also taking classes, they do find it difficult at times to make time for the magazine. They continue to push forward, however, saying that they expect the second issue of it to come out within the next two weeks. They still are not positive if they will publish it only online or print it, and if so, how. “It’s kind of what happens, happens,” Rees-Denis said, who is traveling to Australia this week as part of her dance instructing job.