A DECADE OF LITERARY COMMUNITY

Metatron Press is an award-winning literary publisher based in Montréal, Quebec. Founded and managed by Ashley Obscura, this remarkable publishing house is “devoted to publishing new perspectives in literature that reflect the experiences and sensibilities of our time.” I had the pleasure and privilege of interviewing Ashley to commemorate Metatron’s first 10 years! The conversation was lovely and smooth; it was wonderful to discover that we both share similar perspectives on the literary scene in Montreal and the lack of opportunities for QTBIPOC writers.

Ashley studied Creative Writing at Concordia University, and during her third year, she began exploring the creation of spaces outside the academic system, which differed from those she had been involved in during university. It all started with a reading series, which grew into a very successful endeavor—drawing a beautiful community around it.

“We were dealing with rejection, so I had the idea that we could create our own realities and that we didn’t need someone to hear us [...] There were too many male gatekeepers in the English department at the time. The professors who were fired for sexual harassment were sort of my mentors, so after everything that happened, I knew we all deserved better.”

Ashley was very candid about the difficulties of keeping Metatron Press running and the challenges in evolving that dream. Due to a lack of stable funding, Metatron Press has been quite intuitive in responding to community needs. As Ashley stated, “I really see the press as an experiment, responsive to the needs of the community.” Because of this, the community that gathers around Metatron Press has sensed the authenticity of the project, which is one of the most important characteristics that draw people to the publisher. Overall, Metatron has adapted over time, remaining flexible, but one thing that hasn’t changed, according to the founder, is that “the vision has always been to poetify the world—to create value around poetry and to value writers and people in a world where our humanity often feels under threat.”

As a poet, I felt extremely grateful to hear about some of the upcoming projects Ashley has planned for the community and for herself.

“Lately, I’ve been dreaming about creating a poetry center in Montreal for local writers to occupy, build a library together, and host events—just a reliable space for poets that also has international ties [...] I am working on a book right now titled *Boca*, which is about my complicated relationship with being half Mexican but not speaking Spanish. I really want to find a publisher who can hold this work. I want to create a space that isn’t extractive and won’t fetishize people’s trauma in this strange way.”

It’s true that Montreal is a culturally rich city, but there is a notable lack of spaces for emerging writers who wish to connect with a community that welcomes them without judgment—a space to grow together. Ashley’s statement about her fear of handing her work to any publisher resonates deeply within me. Her experience is unique and specific to an environment that is often misunderstood and quickly judged—even by fellow Mexicans. As someone who lived in Mexico my whole life, I’ve heard the popular discourse about immigrants and the children of those who do not speak the language. Canada prides itself on being a land of diversity, yet writers still feel unsafe about how their works will be handled due to their cultural backgrounds and other often marginalized intersectionalities. Thus the necessity for a community like the one Ashley has been tirelessly building.

Nonetheless, it was especially refreshing to hear Ashley reflect on the past and conclude that she doesn’t regret anything that has been done. Her perspective is inspiring for artists who often navigate the scene alone, and struggle to establish their names in such a competitive environment. “There is nothing I could have done differently because I did it all with the limited resources that I had and without a mentor to guide me. [There were definitely mistakes along the way, but I don’t see them as mistakes because I learned so much.]”

I deeply admire Ashley’s perseverance with the project. I asked her what aspects have remained the same throughout the years, and I think her answer truly reflects her dedication and compassion, and the hard work and passion she wholeheartedly invests in poetry.

“What has stayed the same is my stubbornness about this project. If you know me, you know how much I talk about how hard the project is, but I just love the vision too much. So yeah, it’s my stubbornness that has made it work. Part of that comes from being the child of an immigrant mother who left everything—her family, culture, language, food, and community—to move to Canada because she thought her children would have a better life here. I chose the path of being an artist, a poet of all things, and no one in my life had been an artist before. I truly believe this is a devotion to my mom and her dream. I chose this path, and I cannot fail to give it my all because my mom sacrificed everything for me to have something like this.”

As someone who constantly writes about my mother as the muse for my work, I relate deeply to her response and the sentiment of giving back to her mom through this project. I strive to do something meaningful with my writing—whether it’s writing about Mexico and publishing it, incorporating my language, participating in magazines, or attending readings—so I can honor the sacrifices my wonderful parents made for me from afar in Mexico. Metatron is a noble cause that reflects how Ashley interacts with poets and their work.

Ashley and I also had a side conversation about the political role of the poet in society and how poets and artists are often the first to be persecuted in totalitarian states. I wanted to ask her about her relationship with writing, as I’m always curious about other writers’ connections to our shared craft.

“A place where we can be in touch with consciousness and life. Writing is the art of paying attention. We live in a world that tries to distract us. I think it’s very revolutionary to pay attention, write, and see the world. Writing has been a way for me to process; it’s my spiritual processing system where I can express everything. It’s really nice to be seen and published, but I think most poets do it because it’s a survival mechanism for them.”

I’m now even more excited to attend Metatron Press’s “The Decade Event” after speaking with Ashley. For her, the 10-year journey has been quite a ride: “I was feeling all of the hard stuff come up. After attending a reading with a friend, some people asked me if I wanted to do something for the anniversary, but I didn’t feel like it at the time. I thought, ‘If I don’t do anything special this year, I’m going to regret it’ [...] I’m excited to see my community come together for this event. I am incredibly proud of what I have done and have zero regrets. My pride is that I have dedicated the last 10 years of my life to poetry and poets.” This event is much more than just a milestone; it’s a reminder of the kindness, hard work, and humanity behind a project that prioritizes narratives from writers who dare to see the world and write about it.

Metatron Press

A DECADE OF LITERARY COMMUNITY

McSweeney’s List (16 October 2024)

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