About
A Brief History of Les Figues Press
Les Figues Press was founded in 2004 by Teresa Carmody, Vanessa Place, Pam Ore and Sarah LaBorde. In 2006, Les Figues incorporated as a nonprofit 501c3 organization.
Les Figues Press Mission Statement
Les Figues Press creates aesthetic conversations between readers, writers, and artists, especially those interested in innovative/experimental/avant-garde work.
Les Figues:
– uses “aesthetic-based” to mean work that grounds itself within a cultural tradition and holds the artist responsible for that cultural participation.
– believes innovations in literature are not intuitively known, and that authors have an artistic obligation to assist the public in understanding and assessing writing that is as deeply serious as it is unfamiliar.
– does not see itself as gatekeeper, but gate, providing a portal for literature that is difficult, demanding and deeply felt—literature whose existence is vital for a thriving culture.
Les Figues Publishing Projects
Les Figues Press publishes TrenchArt, an annual series of new literature. TrenchArt posits literary works in an inter-textual conversation; participating literary and visual artists also write an aesthetic essay or poetics, setting the terms and parameters of the serial conversation.
In 2007, Les Figues will expand its projects to include other aesthetic-based works of critical literature.
Mrs. Porter’s Women’s Art Salon
The Press sponsors a women’s art salon and discussion in which artists working in all media (visual artists, writers, dancers, musicians) share their work and discuss how the presented material fits into a larger artistic and social frame. The Salon meets on the second Saturday of the month in mid-city Los Angeles. Interested parties should contact the Press for additional information and instructions.
Other Events
Les Figues Press sponsors and participates in public readings, workshops and other events, including the Smell Last Sunday of the Month Reading Series.
LFP Affiliations
Les Figues Press is a member of the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP) and the Green Press Initiative. Les Figues Press titles are distributed by Small Press Distribution (SPD).
LFP People
Co-Directors
Teresa Carmody
Vanessa Place
Web Design
Allison Carter
Interns
Janice Lee
Jared Woodland
Board of Directors
Johanna Blakley
Jennifer Calkins
Molly Corey
Pam Ore
Coco Owen
Vanessa Place
Janet Sarbanes
Contact Us
Inquiries, investigations, gifts, and other important correspondence should be addressed to:
Les Figues Press
PO Box 7736
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Email: info[at]lesfigues[dot]com