Martin Walsh, 73, is one of the volunteers involved in producing the north-east magazine Pushing Out The Boat, which launches its latest edition this month.
TELL US ABOUT PUSHING OUT THE BOAT (POTB), WHAT IS IT?
POTB is the north-east of Scotland’s magazine of new writing and visual art and is now a Scottish charity. The latest edition, number 14, launches later this April.
WHAT IS YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE MAGAZINE?
I’m one of more than 20 volunteers who produce the magazine, from seeking submissions, the blind selection process – to ensure total impartiality – then deciding the running order, through editing and design to launching and selling the edition. Plus a fair amount of business development.
WHY IS THE RUNNING ORDER AND DESIGN SO IMPORTANT?
It’s one of the wonderful things about POTB – the juxtaposition of poems, stories and art. Well-known writers and artists are featured alongside the first-published. The simple, sophisticated layout allows each work to breathe on the page.
AS A WRITER, HAVE YOU EVER BEEN PUBLISHED IN POTB?
Yes, I’ve had several stories and even a couple of poems featured. But the anonymous nature of the selection process means that I’ve also had work rejected.
WHEN AND HOW DID YOU FIRST HEAR ABOUT POTB?
I became aware of POTB in 2002 and was encouraged to submit work. My first story was published in issue four. It felt a little bit like first love.
WHY DID YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS?
Originally an Aberdeenshire Council initiative, supporting the north-east’s rich literary scene, the publication came under threat in 2006. We couldn’t let such a valuable resource lapse, so a group of volunteers stepped in. From then, our team has steadily grown, along with our website. Our aim is to become part of the local literary firmament. By including works in Doric, we also help keep the language alive.
CAN YOU SPEAK DORIC?
Aye – mibee, bit nae as muckle as sim o the ither contributers!
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FOR YOUR STORIES?
As an ex-marine biologist, I’m lucky enough to have travelled and worked around the world, beginning as a volunteer in Sierra Leone. Being there in the 1960s – a unique time in the country’s history – I witnessed many incredible things. These kick-started my desire to both write and to reproduce some of the accents I encountered along the way.
WHY SHOULD READERS CONSIDER POTB?
We are unique. With such a wonderfully varied collection of short stories, poems and artwork, both local and global, we feel POTB is a tribute to north-east Scotland.
TELL US AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT THE LATEST EDITION.
The artwork for this edition’s front cover was gifted to us by internationally acclaimed artist Tom Hammick. Having someone of such stature in the art world donate his print is an acknowledgment of the exceptional standard of work within POTB, and an honour to the team. And of course the wonderful foreword by much loved and admired author Wayne Price.
To order your copy, see: http://www.pushingouttheboat.co.uk/
