A new press in Stockton celebrated it’s launch on Oct. 28, with Delta College professors serving as key cogs in its inception.
More than 70 people attended a launch party at the Mile Wine Company on Pacific Avenue marking the launch of Tuleburg Press, a publishing company set to aid local writers.
“We are more than crime stats, duplicity and bankruptcy,” said Delta College English Professor Paula Sheil in reference to passed perceptions of Stockton.
“There is a renewed interest in the literary arts — even in the face of a digital tsunami. It’s exciting to help people find voice. In Stockton many people don’t have a voice. No voice equals oppression. We are going to do our part to remedy this weakening of the human spirit.”
Sheil is one of the founding members of the press, which also includes Stockton arts and literary scene notables Roberts Reinarts, Tama Brisbane and Bruce Crawford. The three are all writers or poets from writers’ groups or small writing companies within the Stockton area.
The hope for the kickoff event was to raise money to match a Marion Jacobs Literary Forum grant for start-up costs.
Delta English Professor Phil Hutcheon will be the first author published under the Tuleburg Press moniker.
Hutcheon’s first novel “Nobody Roots for Goliath” was published in 2006.
“Desperation Passes” will be its follow up.
Hutcheon said Sheil is the “driving force” behind Tuleburg Press.
“She suggested that I write a grant proposal to fund publication of the novel through a new local press. She chairs the Marian Jacobs Literary Forum, and in the process of approving my proposal, that group decided to start The Tuleburg Press,” said Hutcheon in an email interview.
Hutcheon said he was eager to continue writing about the characters but without a means to release it.
The plan is for his book to be out next year.
Sheil is a former reporter for The Record and has been involved in writing publications for close to 20 years.
On campus, Sheil is also the faculty adviser for The Artifact, a writing magazine featuring writers and artists from across the valley.
