Sam Pink Interview
[GS-INT-005]
Why do you publish your own work now instead of going through a publisher? And would you say you are one who enjoys collaborating?
Because it's easier overall and I can't think of a single reason not to. Like I can't think of a single thing that's better about traditional publishing, versus doing it yourself. I don't have a firm stance on collaborating except that it obviously depends on who you're collaborating with, and the purpose etc. In my experience, I mostly haven't enjoyed it, or it wouldn't have been my first choice for how to do things but I've also had some good experiences, mostly when working with designers.
I bet you feel a sense of being present walking your project through the entire process without the lag of time usually spent on submitting endless queries. I think there's fear in writers of not having the safety net of a publisher vouching for you, in a way. It would take a lot of courage most artists don't have to stand by their work enough to say no to any input. Or maybe the publishing process feels enormous. Or maybe because, and I assume this is the most common, it gives them hope that having a book come out with a publisher will show some kind of credibility so they can market themselves to the next publisher of greater-than-or-equal-to value/prestige. Does none of that matter to you?
No it doesn't matter to me.
What does matter to you?
In terms of publishing? Being able to engage in a process I find exciting and rewarding (making something) and then sharing that with readers, which tends to lead to connection and an overall positive experience.
I remember you once told me it's important to enjoy the confusion when you're starting out, and that the naivete would eventually go away and that feeling might be missed. Do you create more challenging projects to work on to achieve that feeling of chaos again? Or do you lean into the skill you've acquired through practice of a craft to execute more challenging projects?
I would say that each time, something about the thing I want to do is different, at least to me, and that I then use techniques to help achieve that. There's definitely parts of early confusion that aren't good, and get outmoded, but yeah the main thing for me is there's always something about the project that is different. I hate the feeling of just doing something over again. I notice it a lot when painting. I'll discover something new to me, some new technique or tool, and then I'll use it a couple times and realize I'm viewing it too sterilely again, and have to figure out something new.
Novelty is crucial. Could you explain what you mean by "viewing it too sterilely"?
What I mean is, when I find myself resorting to something I've already done, sort of like shorthand for any real new discovery, it's a weak state, to be operating out of that fear and ease. Every new thing requires something different, to create the necessary spirit.
Do you just use brute psychic force to push out of that established space of fear and ease to find something new, or do you have something you do to shake things up?
I think being able to recognize that state, the urge to flee the unknown by doing something familiar, is the first and only step needed. I think it follows from there. And eventually you even become relaxed at the idea that the accidents/solution will come. Be patient and just stay open. It goes back to being the original and only voucher. If you keep that standard, it will work itself out. You will see things as always open and possible, and never fully boxed in.
Perfect way to close it. Thanks for doing this, brother.
Sam Pink is a not once but twice pushcart nominee.