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Monday, April 6, 1998
06 Apr 98
By Paul Ford
Jim Esch Appreciation Week
Dear Subway Diary Reader,
This is Jim Esch appreciation week.
Jim has published a little magazine for 7 years, called Sparks. He gives away writing, art, music, and ideas. He runs the Orange Street Press out of the corner of his pocket with the whole of his heart. He also works full time, and does freelance work to make ends meet. With his wife, Stacy, he takes care of his daughter. Stacy is included here, too, because she's one-half of Jim and the Orange Street Press. So it's also Stacy appreciation week.
He encouraged this diary in its first days. "Keep going," he said, many times. "It's worth it."
He has published dozens of new authors in Sparks. He keeps the dialogue going. Time Magazine will probably never write a full-page article about Jim. That's the way these things go. But he doesn't let it get him down. And he inspires the hell out of me.
So celebrate his week. Grab a beer and sit quietly, and watch the world for fifteen minutes. Take a break at work and write a poem on the back of a memo. Sketch a picture while you're taking the train going home. Finish that short story. If you like it, you should send him a copy. If he likes it too, he may publish it.
That's why it's his week. And Stacy's.
Thanks,
Paul Ford
DIY really means others help you do it yourself
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