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producing and publishing new writing that goes beyond the mainstream

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collaborating with artists, grass roots arts venues, readers groups, indie publishers and booksellers

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what is dif ?​

• a focal point for new directions in queer writing

• a growing network of writers and artists working on solo and collaborative projects

• a holistic movement that also engages with publishers, bookshops and readers

• a project physically based in Bristol +  a group in Manchester + an online network with global reach

• lgbtq+ focussed + open to allies

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why dif ?​​​

• to think beyond the now - our contribution to modelling queer utopias

• todays queer canon was yesterdays beyond the mainstream - consider Alan Ginsberg's Howl which was banned and tied up in a legal case for years.

• the UK publishing scene even at an indie level is structurally conservative and London-centric. 

• to move beyond the traditional parameters and rules of literature form and length such as novel - poetry - fiction - non-fiction

• to reassert freedom of expression especially in the wider context of banned books and soft censorship in libraries based on a fear of social media backlash from interest groups

• language itself needs to change - Ursula LeGuin talks about this

• use DIY, writer led learning approaches to developing new writing

• consider human creativity in a landscape dominated by digital and AI developments

• protectionist global tariffs and brexit customs rules have made it harder and more expensive to access and export alternative lit between countries.

• our network aims to build independently and reduce reliance on increasingly problematic global social media platforms.

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is dif going to publish writing ?

• yes - we are about to go to open call for contributors to a literary zine.

• we also accept proposals for white labels

• our focus is on print production and distribution

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how do you work with artists ?

• by encouraging exploration across all intersections, having unexpected conversations

• discussing where creativity with words appears in other art forms

• exploring the dif vibe in other art forms

• co-working in art spaces

• collaborations

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who are dif ?​​

• sam jenks had the original idea and facilitated the research sessions with other writers and artists during 2024.

• at the moment dif is essentially a loose network of writers, artists and other creatives who form co-productions under the dif banner. 

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do I have to be gay, queer or lgbtq+ to join dif ?

• no - everyone who is for LGBTQ+ is welcome. if you feel like you belong here - you're probably right.

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what is the vibe?

• our dif studios mood page below gives you a good idea of where we are at

• + check out our manifesto further down this page​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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​​​​​​​​​how can I get involved with dif ?

so many ways! we are by definition fluid and project based. have a read around the website - get in touch. for example you could

• join our bristol, manchester or online groups

• access our writer studio in bristol (for up to 4 writers at any one time)

• connect your readers group with us or be a reader for one of our writers

• propose a project idea - it could be almost anything such as a one day festival - a book launch - a show - a workshop - retreat - your own dif group where you live

• apply for an online or in-person residency

• offer us a residency with you, your group or organisation

• publish a white label with us

• have 1:1s or mentorship from our producer Sam Jenks or someone else in the network

• do a volunteer/placement/internship with us - we need certain skills - we’ve got skills and experience to share

• collaborate with us - including if you’re an agent, publisher or gallery.

 

 

how do I become a dif network member ?

​anyone actively involved in our network or projects is invited to become a member - membership is free - then you can.​​

• be listed publicly on our webpage

• access forthcoming network events online and in-person such as our zoom check-in groups and whatsapp chat areas.​

• ​dif buy me a coffee supporter members [£2 per month] are also invited to many of our network activities. its a great way to support our development and be involved.​

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how is dif funded ?

• ​we're totally independent and plan to remain that way

• everything we currently do to run dif is with our own time

• we are diy and low budget orientated but we also believe writers and artists need some money to live on and we build that into our project designs

• donations are crucial to us to help with basic running costs – you can donate via our buy us a coffee page from as little as £2

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​how else can I support dif ?​

• buy any books through our affiliate page on bookshop dot org  and we get 10% of the sale price to help fund our projects

• buy our merchandise

• subscribe for free updates

• follow us on Instagram, threads or bluesky

• tell people about us

• donate a physical book or work of art to our dif library-gallery - it could be your own work or someone else's

• commission us to develop a project for you

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buy any book via our dif library page and you'll be supporting us at the same time

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​dif manifesto

these ideas that came out of our network research hangouts in autumn 2024

coproduce

DIY

​writers readers artists allowed to dream the impossible

paint it up - type it out - do it by hand - by mouth - touch it

orientation disorientation

genre- free

getting ideas off the ground

catalyse

think

writer-artist led

loved-up on books

queer writers are different - queer writing is different

collaborate

experiment along the edge

rough is a style

partying

join us inside the outside

controverse transgress intersect

voices of the fucked over

overlooked by the mainstream

break boundaries of language and geography

wherever the words land

hangouts hotspots studios

readers up close and personal

countercult subculture

experimenting

dirty

going all the way

put it out there

scratch and sample

trying to build utopias has to be done - the future takes us beyond the present ​

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​if you're excited by what dif are doing please consider supporting us ££ or get in touch with your ideas.

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