Statements

Mission

April Gloaming Publishing is a nonprofit, independent press that aims to capture and identify the Southern soul, Southern art, and Southern voice by both emerging and established Southern authors and artists. We hold events that bring Southern communities together around the necessary art of literature. Beyond this, we strengthen Southern communities by offering paid opportunities and internships for local professionals to aid in the publication process, such as freelance editing, graphic design, marketing, social media, and art/illustrations to accompany our titles. We also curate and publish the literary and arts journal, Waxing & Waning, which publishes poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, art, graphic stories (comics), screenplays, plays, and short films that "bathe in the light of the moon." It is our mission to amplify the South's necessary voices and vault them to a large audience. In a world where Southern art and writing is largely marginalized, we aim to capture the ever-evolving Southern identity and voice, one that we claim is much more than the South's stigma--one that is inclusive, open, equal--yet its hands still calloused by the land.

Background

Our history began in 2015 as 8 friends sat around a kitchen table and asked what was missing in Nashville and the South in general. We came to the conclusion that a strictly Southern literature and arts publisher was an anomaly, though one that needed to be made. Having a history curating artists and writers together in large events under the name, The Regenerates, we decided to take strides to be even better and reach larger audiences. Southern writers and artists ourselves, April Gloaming became the banner under which we all sought to change and better the arts in the South. In April 2020, we received our tax-exempt status from the IRS and have not only continued this mission, but now we intend to strengthen our community even more by bolstering community members' work experience with every step of the publishing process.

Impact

So far out impact has largely been from the publishing standpoint. We've published poetry collections, novels, memoirs, and short story collections in a modest amount in the past. Our venture was largely a part-time endeavor until Summer 2020. Just in the past two months, we've lined up 7 publications for 2020-21, the intent being 10 in 2021. Our literary journal, Waxing & Waning, just published its sixth issue in August 2020, and there will be 2 issues published per year. A new project, titled Waxing & Waning Presents, will make its debut call for submissions in October 2020. These special editions of our literary journal will focus on specific art and voices from our current society. Its first installment will be titled "The Tennessee Tempest Edition," which will be an open call for submissions from Tennessee writers and artists under the theme of the March 3 tornadoes and their aftermath along with living during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tennessee. Future editions will be "The Blackout Edition," which will focus on BIPOC/ally voices; an edition for those currently or previously incarcerated; an edition for those currently or previously homeless; and many more. As mentioned before, we aim to contract work from our Nashville/surrounding community, the aim of this being 2 community members per publication.

Needs

Our current needs involve volunteers or contract workers for every step of the publishing process, including freelance editing, graphic design, videography, marketing, social media, and art/illustrations to accompany our titles. We accept applications via our website for these positions under the "Opportunities" tab. Financial needs are relevant as well for projects, operational support, and/or endowments. There is also a need for a more diverse board staff.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Arts, Culture & Humanities  - Printing, Publishing
Secondary Category:	Arts, Culture & Humanities  - Visual Arts
Tertiary Category:	Arts, Culture & Humanities  - Arts & Culture