This is the fifth in Entropy’s small press interview series, where we ask editors about their origins, their mission, and what it’s like to run a press. Find the other interviews from this series in our small press database here and under the Resources tab at the top of the page.
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Interview with Spencer Madsen, Editor
How did Sorry House start?
I wanted something to do with my hands.
Tell us a bit about Sorry House. What are your influences, your aesthetic, your mission?
I was influenced by everything, which is why I didn’t want a mission or a decided aesthetic. Those things are really limiting. Missions especially turn me off to other presses. A mission will fail. I wanted something less qualitative. If I was going to lose money I wouldn’t have felt I failed.
Can you give us a preview of what’s current and/or forthcoming from your catalog, as well as what you’re hoping to publish in the future?
Not really. I’ve hinted at what’s next but I’m not ready to say.
What about small/independent press publishing is particularly exciting to you right now?
How boring it is, how I can do anything with that boredom. I have no bosses or employees. I’m it. Everyday I wake up and sometimes I decide to run a press that day and I never know what that means. It’s whatever I do.
How do you cope? There’s been a lot of conversation lately about charging reading fees, printing costs, rising book costs, who should pay for what, etc. Do you have any opinions on this, and would you be willing to share any insights about the numbers at Sorry House?
Its extremely easy to make a little money publishing books. You just can’t be boring about it. I outlined how I do it here.
How sorry is Sorry House?
I barely do anything, but Sorry House for this purpose is basically me, and I’m sorry all the time in ways that never come off as genuine as I wish they would.
Recent Sorry House releases:
