Microcosm*Publishing

Growing Your Small World

[riylcast]

Episode 358: Joe Biel

Shortly after appearing on the podcast way back in 2015, Joe Biel sent me an email. Since the interview, he’d been diagnosed with autism (or “Asperger’s” at the time), a revelation that had already begun to have a profound effect on his life.

Biel returned 30-odd episodes later to discuss the insight and impact.

On a recent visit to New York City, the Portland-based publisher returned my apartment to discuss the intervening four years his life, which included the 2016 publication of Good Trouble.

The book was published to mark Microcosm’s 20th anniversary, exploring the publisher’s history and Biel’s own life, up to and including his diagnosis.

[llleighsmith]

from the microcosm publishing 2018 catalogue

how to thrive -read every day -respect/ compliment -embrace change -forgive -talk about ideas -learn daily -accept responsibility -sense of gratitude -have a long term plan towards real goals -learn from people with different experiences -embrace meaning and purpose!

how to starve -compare self to others every day -punch down / criticize -fear change -hold a grudge -talk about people -know it all -blame others for failures -sense of entitlement -never set goals -dictate others’ experiences -internalize criticism

[la-laborista-republiko]

Do you know any good books about squatting?

Yes!  Everyone ever needs to procure a copy of the book Making Stuff And Doing Things put out by Microcosm Publishing a few years ago.  It’s got great information not just on squatting, but on all different aspects of DIY culture.

[maddy-spencer]

Hey, kids! Here are some pages from my sketchbook. They’re characters from a graphic novel I’m doing for Microcosm Publishing in Portland (@microcosmpub). On that note: I’m doing a graphic novel for Microcosm! It’s a solarpunk story about lesbians, libraries, and Shakespeare! I’ll be posting more updates as I go, but I’m really excited about this project. 

[freecakeforeverycreature-deacti]

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN BANDS OR WRITE BIG ZINES BUT OVERALL, I THINK THAT I ALWAYS FELT LIKE THOSE PEOPLE WEREN’T BETTER OR MORE PUNK THAN ME, THEY WERE JUST DOING SOMETHING AWESOME. IT’S LIKE WE’RE ALL IN IT TOGETHER SO I’M HAPPY FOR WHATEVER EVERYONE ELSE DOES- BECAUSE I GET TO ENJOY IT TOO

-Brea Grant, from “Beyond The Music: How Punks are Saving the World with DIY Ethics, Skills, & Values” by Joe Biel

Right on, Brea. This quote reminds me to have more confidence in myself, and that making music/ art/ zines isn’t a competition or a hierarchy that I’m automatically at the bottom of. She also echoes my cheerleading call to “keep making weird shit, people!”

(via freecakeforeverycreature)

[adhd-hippie]

Patches | Microcosm Publishing

All products of category Patches on Microcosm Publishing

[ID: A link to the website Microcosm Publishing.  The image associated with the link is a pink background over which white lettering is superimposed the lettering reads “Microcosm Publishing” with a sub header in black “Growing your small world” beneath the words is the image of an orange person raising their fist in protest above the words is the microcosm logo a gear with 5 spokes and a concentric circle in the middle a heart.  End ID]

So my friend turned me onto this small Portland Oregon publisher.  If you want books to fuck with your world view, help you with actual self care, or spread a little anarchy this is the publisher for you.  Seriously!  I just found a leaflet called “Organizing Cools the Planet” on there, there’s another called “How to Resist Amazon and Why”.  Or how about “Perspectives on Anarchist Theory: Beyond the Crisis”.

The link I included takes you to the page for their patches, a great place to get a feel for the whole org.  Anywhoozles, enjoy!

[microcosmpub]

Interview on "Eat This, Drink That" CKLU, by Alex Ketchum

track by Alex Ketchum

An interview with the author of How to Start A Feminist Restaurant, Alex Ketchum on Eat This, Drink That.

[microcosmpub]

Book Review – Fix Your Clothes

There is an independent publishing company, Microcosm Publishing, based in Portland, Oregon. This is a publishing company with an edge – have a look at their website and you’ll see what I mean. The…

“Describing the craft of mending simply, with straightforward illustrations, this tiny text is all you need to learn how to mend your own clothing. You can read this book in an afternoon, so that you know how it’s organized for future reference, or you can keep it with your sewing basket and pick it up when you need it. After reading this book, I saw myself in my mind’s eye mindfully repairing my clothing from a beautiful sewing basket or pouch in a corner of my living room.”

Review of Raliegh Briggs’ handy book Fix Your Clothes.

[microcosmpub]

Reader Views Book Reviews, Reader Views, Author Publicity, Book Reviews, Book Review, Book Review of No Apocalypse: Punk, Politics & the Great American Weirdness by Al Burian, No Apocalypse: Punk, Politics & the Great American Weirdness

"...Burian never fails in getting a point across by the end of each piece. It’s an interesting dynamic that keeps the audience engaged."

Reader Views reviews Al Burian’s new book No Apocalypse.

[microcosmpub]

A review of Hardcore Anxiety from Chaos and Comics

[microcosmpub]

"With a never-condescending tone towards the subject or the reader, Craven’s Juggalo Country is the only piece of music writing about the Juggalo culture I’ve read that shows some form of drunken respect to this slighted crowd..."

Get the book here

[microcosmpub]

"If the past three years have taught us nothing else, we have surely learned how much bad news a body can stand before breaking (that could mean breaking down in tears or breaking out the Double Stuf Oreos). Staying resilient is critical to our survival as reasons for hope come and go. Here is a quick read on just that topic, that will pay off over and over on bad days regardless of the cause. “Coping Skills: Tools & Techniques for Every Stressful Situation” (Microcosm Publishing) provides just what it says, ways to overcome or at least endure the worst stuff life throws at us."

Get the book at microcosm.pub/copingskills 

[microcosmpub]

The Intersection of Bicycling and Social Justice | Utne Reader

Social justice issues like race, community, and environmental justice are all deeply entwined with bicycle culture.

Utne Reader shares a bit of Bicycle/Race by Dr. Adonia Lugo.

@utnereader-blog

[microcosmpub]

[microcosmpub]

Dr. Faith G. Harper and Unfuck Your Brain, a gif set.

[microcosmpub]

Sometimes you want to wear something HONEST.

Out of Fucks pin by Trista Vercher

[nprbooks]

Ben Passmore is back with an expanded edition of his popular self-published comic. Our critic Etelka Lehoczky says that with this new book, Passmore “has room to unleash his dense, brilliantly colored drawings, thoughtful reflections and kooky vignettes.” Check out her full review here.

– Petra