Help start first Diné womxn owned publishing press

Did you know there are only a handful of publishing presses in the United States that publish only Indigenous writers? On top of that there are less than a handful of Indigenous owned publishing presses in the United States. I discovered this when I was trying to look for an Indigenous owned press to submit my first full collection of poetry. From this realization, I wondered if other Native writers were having the same trouble with trying to find someone that cares about publishing their work without having to accommodate to the white gaze in order to sell more books.
I would like to start a publishing press for Native people by Native people. Included is my about and mission for Abalone Mountain Press!

*One of the main reasons, I would like to start this fundraiser is to make sure that all Native writers, editors, artists and content creative involved will be paid for their time and service in their time and work.

*In addition to creating Abalone Mountain Press, I would like to host a monthly podcast for the year 2021 which will include interviews by Native writers, giveaways and a chance for your story to be picked as story of the month.

Ahé'hee'!

Amber McCrary

Abalone Mountain Press

“A place for Indigenous writers to dismantle the cannon”

About: Abalone Mountain Press will be a Diné womxn owned press working on occupied Akimel O'odham land. The meaning behind Abalone Mountain comes from the Diné name for the so-called San Francisco peaks in Flagstaff, Arizona. Abalone Shell Mountain is one of the four sacred mountains for Diné. The owner of Abalone Mountain press, Amber McCrary grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona therefore this sacred mountain is near and dear to her heart and among many Diné folx.

Mission: To create a space for Indigenous voices to be heard without having to accommodate the white gaze. We strive to create books for Native people by Native people. We hope to create a press that supports Native artistry in all forms. We hope to bring quality work to Indigenous literature and create a world for Indigenous voices to thrive as genuinely and true to form. We encourage works such as poetry, fiction, non-fiction and hybrid works.

We are an indigiqueer, trans, non-binary, Black Indigenous, Indigenous feminist friendly press. We do not accept any forms of lateral violence, Homophobia, racism or sexism in our work or in submissions.

Podcast: For each month in the year of 2021 there will be a podcast episode/ interview from one Native writer on their creative process, life perspectives and tips on writing. We hope to make the podcast interactive by encouraging listeners to submit their responses to the writing exercise posted at the end of each podcast episode. If their response is selected, they will have the chance to win a prize.

 About Amber McCrary:

Yá’át’ééh, Shí éí Amber yinishyé. Kinłichii’nii nishłi Naakai Dine’é bashishchiin. Ashiihí dashicheii. Ta’neeszahnii dashinali. Ákót’éego diné asdzáán nishłį́. Ahéhee.’

Amber McCrary is Diné poet, zinester, feminist and artist. She is Red House born for Mexican people. Originally from Shonto, Arizona and raised in Flagstaff, Arizona. In the small town of Flagstaff is where she discovered her love for Punk Rock and the Do it Yourself Culture. She earned her BA from Arizona State University in Political Science with a minor in American Indian Studies. She received her MFA in creative writing with an emphasis in poetry at Mills College. She is also the creator of DANG! Zine (Daydreaming, Awkward, Native, Girl) Vol. 1 and Vol.2, Angsty Asdzáá: Tales of an angry Indigenous womxn zine and The Asdzáá Beat. She recently released a chapbook titled, Electric Deserts! (Tolsun Books). She currently resides in Mesa, Arizona.