Just out T Juno 16. 1 9 9 9 ▼ 17
Travel the w o rld ,
but call us first...
A change of view
An attorney went up a mountain
and came down a publisher-editor
V
by Risa Krive
Woman, a collection of poetry by eminent author
ay 25, 1995, marked the 10th
Judith Barrington. No one would distribute just
birthday of Eighth Mountain
one book, so Gundle told people she was 1 aunching
Press. The first decade of this
a press. As she convinced others—and through a
Portland-based feminist press has
series of fortunate “coincidences” developed the
produced 20 books of feminist
tools with
and an
skills necessary for running a small
literary and nonfiction writing by women,
press—Gundle convinced herself that she should
emphasis on writing by lesbians. In this short time
continue on this path.
the publishing company has become significant in
Contrary to the struggles of most small publish
the realms of both feminist publishing and main
ers, Eighth Mountain Press enjoys considerable
stream media.
commercial coups. Recent bestseller A Journey of
Like the giant publishing houses, Eighth Moun
One’s Own by former No on 9 political leader
tain Press produces books of high literary quality
Thalia Zepatos, is the first and only book of its kind
and outstanding artistry. Similarly, this small press
to provide “Uncommon Advice for the Indepen
enjoys international distribution and financial suc
dent Woman Traveler.” Entertaining encounters
cess. But any distant relation to its multinational
corporate cousins ends
there—because Eighth
Mountain Press is, liter
ally, a publishing house.
It is a lovely old house in
a tree-shaded residential
neighborhood
near
Laurelhurst Park, where
publisher Ruth Gundle
lives and from where she
conducts all of the busi
ness of the press. Thou
sands of books are housed
in the basement, a couple
of comfortable offices sit
on the second story, and
a black pooch named
Perdita presides over the
front porch.
This domestic haven
produces a profusion of
poetry and prose. Offer
ings range from collec
tions of stories and es
from the author’s own cross-cultural experiences
says to travel guides. The press publishes two
are intermingled with practical and expert advice
books each year, and hosts a nationally recognized
for traveling women. Topics include traveling
poetry contest every other year, judged by such
alone, traveling with a group, bargaining, dealing
poet laureates as Audre Lorde and Judy Grahn,
with sexual harassment, traveling with a child,
with publication of the winner’s book of poems.
using
foreign currency, finding the cheapest air
Rejecting the conventional wisdom which dic
line tickets, and all of the other myriad details that
tates that a business must continually grow in order
make the difference between exhilarating or ex
to prosper, Gundle has kept the operation of Eighth
cruciating travel experiences.
Mountain Press deliberately small. Gundle is both
New York Daily News stated, “This is the best
publisher and editor. She searches for new talent,
women’s travel resource we’ve seen, ever.” Qual
and produces, markets and promotes each book.
ity Paperback Bookclub agrees. They recently
She is assisted by a freelance proofreader and
bought the rights to the book. Given this wider
student interns. Marcia Barrentine designs the gor
audience, the book will further inspire and enable
geous covers featuring artwork by Northwest art
women to ease on down the road.
ists.
Praise for other Eighth Mountain Press titles
Ruth Gundle climbed many mountains before
founding Eighth Mountain Press. Like many aus
has been equally superlative. The Advocate de
scribes Minimaxby Anna Li via as “Spellbinding.. .a
picious conceptions, the birth of this publishing
blend of...magical realism, science fiction, and
company was unplanned. Gundle was living the
lesbian-feminist political savvy.” Bay Windows’
life of a successful leftist lesbian lawyer. She
review of Dreams o f an Insomniac by Irena Klepfisz
argued several cases before the Oregon Supreme
said “This work is some of the most powerful to
Court as litigation director of Oregon Legal Ser
come out of the feminist publishing movement.”
vices, including the triumphant case that forced the
San Francisco Chronicle describes The Eating
state to grant Medicaid funds for abortions. She
taught at Lewis & Clark College’s Northwestern
Hill by Karen Mitchell as “a rich and magical look
School of Law and sat on the governor’s commis
at BlackSouthem culture.” The Nation's review of
sion to study the controversial issue of compara
Between the Sea and Home by Almitra David said
tive worth. But status and success did not replace
“This book, these poem s...are...as beautiful as
words can be.”
satisfaction. Gundle said that working as an attor
ney, “whether...on behalf of Exxon...or anti
The beauty of words is apparent in the name
nuclear protesters...is just boring as hell. You
Eighth Mountain Press. Ruth Gundle chose this
learn the worst of human nature and.. .how corrupt
name for its personal matrilineal significance. Her
the system is. But you don’t learn important truths
mother’s maiden name, Achtenberg, means “eighth
that are useful to your life.”
mountain” in German. Gundle later learned that in
Tired of wasting words to salve the wounds of
Jewish theology the Eighth Mountain is the home
a worn-out system, Gundle cut her legal commit
of Shekinah, who is the female form of God. It is
ments to cultivate her interest in literature and her
also the home of this publishing company, where
friendships with writers. Without making a career
the power of the press creates worlds out of words.
I à I i I A i * è
choice, she published Trying to Be an Honest
M
.
.
It is a lovely
old house in a
tree-shaded
residential
neighborhood
near
Laurelhurst
Park , where
publisher Ruth
.
Gundle lives
and from where
she conducts
all of the
business of
the press.
232-5944
1 - 800 - 232-5944
1939 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland
TWENTY-THIRD AVENUE
BOOKS
invites you to an evening with
Nolan Bennett
author of
Place of
Shelter
Nominated for
Lambda award:
Best Gay Novel
Thursday, July 6
7 pm
1015 NW 23rd Avenue, 224-5097