dif. producing and publishing new writing that goes beyond the mainstream
what is dif. ?
-
a focal point for new directions in queer writing
-
publisher of the print only dif literary zine
-
publisher of the white label series of shorts
-
a loose network of writers and artists worldwide working on solo and collaborative projects
-
lgbtq+ focussed, artistically queer
why dif ?
-
to think beyond the now
-
todays queer canon was yesterdays beyond the mainstream - Alan Ginsberg's Howl was initially banned and tied up in legal cases for years but won out
-
an alternative to a UK publishing scene that is structurally conservative and London-centric.
-
freed from the traditional parameters, rules and genres of literature
-
to reassert freedom of expression in a context of banned books and soft censorship in libraries based on a fear of social media backlash from interest groups
-
for real change, language and grammar itself needs to change - Ursula LeGuin talks about this
-
use DIY, writer led learning approaches to developing new writing
-
encouraging human creativity in a landscape dominated by developments in AI
we work with artists
-
by encouraging exploration across all intersections, having unexpected conversations
-
looking into where creativity with words appears in other art forms
-
exploring the dif vibe in other art forms
-
co-working in art spaces
-
collaborations
who are dif ?
-
writer sam jenks had the original idea and facilitated the research sessions with other writers and artists during 2024. he coordinates the network of writers, artists and other creatives who form co-productions under the dif banner.
-
the most active project at the moment is the dif zine team of Bea Ralston, John Lugo-Trebble, Louis Bullen and Sam Jenks
what is the vibe?
-
take a look at our shop, see what we've posted on insta...you'll get it..
-
check out our manifesto further down this page
how can I get involved with dif ?
-
email us or dm us on our socials, tell us what you're interested in doing,
-
propose a project idea - it could be almost anything such as a one day festival - a book launch - a show - a workshop - retreat.
-
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
-
collaborate with us
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.
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 as best we can
-
you can donate - we will honour you
how else can I support dif ?
-
buy our stuff, see the shop
-
subscribe for free updates
-
follow us on instagram
-
tell people about us
-
collaborate with us
dif manifesto
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
freedom of expression
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
if you're excited by what dif are doing please get in touch - we want to get to know you.
.png)