Editor's Note: This was supposed to be an interview of the principals of Irvington's Celestial Panther Publishing. We prepared carefully a list of what we thought to be relevant and intelligent questions about their on-line publishing endeavor. What we received back was really a third-person article. As such, we have included it in our "Articles" section. It is as follows:
Submitted by Matt Panther and Autumn Lioness
Celestial Panther Publishing emerged from the murky froth of a liberal arts education. In the midst of senioritis two years ago, two long term Liberal Arts students—Matt Panther and Autumn Lioness—were looking for outlets to send their writing to. In a battle of frustration for the lack of literary magazines in the city of Indianapolis, the two began to conceive of their own.
“Indianapolis needs a literary magazine,” Panther explained, “there are writers here who are passionate about their work just as there are in any city, but we have an absence of options.”
Thus, Celestial Panther Publishing was in motion. Together they convinced Jeremy Jaguar—a local musician and psychology poet—to join forces with them. With three strong minds and writers at hand, CPP began working with IUPUI students and writing groups from around the city to plant the seed of an independent publisher making its way into the world of Indianapolis’ writers.
Panther said their web site is just the beginning for CPP. Full plans are in the works to provide a printed lit magazine called The Darien Gap for readers to enjoy and also a side adventure of sitcom action providing a little insight into the minds of CPP’s creators. On top of their primary work with writers from all around the city and outskirts, CPP has been diligently working on publishing chat books, with their first installment by Chadwick Redden, a very talented Indianapolis writer, due out by the end of spring.
“We,” Autumn Lioness expanded, “are trying to provide a place that can give local writers and readers what they both deserve: a multifaceted experience in independent literature.”
CPP truly believes that Indianapolis has a slew of creative thinkers, writers, artists and the like that should be provided with a publisher committed to them and their work. “Nowhere else will you find a publisher willing to work with an individual and their writing as we are,” CPP said. Unlike large non-community based publishers, CPP works with a writer on many levels of editing and advice to make the best piece possible for the writer and readers.
“Our commitment isn’t only to the magazine,” CPP said. “It also goes out the individuals. We are proud to be publishers and writers ourselves and we want every person who submits to feel the same way about their own work. We edit and communicate on a deeper level than any other publisher out there.”
If you are wondering right now, who are these people, exactly?
We are glad you asked.
Matt Panther is a dashing, debonair, dubiously delirious man. He loves writing, reading, charming (that's the Irish in him), making great conversation and trying to always talk someone into something. Stylish and suave, he is the type of man you want to meet in a crowd, on the street, or drinking coffee in a shop. Most likely you will spot him in his eye-catching blue and red plaid blazer, with blond curls frolicking about his head desperately trying to be tamed by aviator shades. English has done him well (though the pizza man disagrees).
Autumn Lioness was born in an airplane hangar festooned with billowy parachutes near Surprise, Arizona, in the shadows of the looming Vulture Mountains. From there she traveled, living in 15 exotic locales before screeching to a chilly halt in the wintry northern state of Indiana. There she gave life to 4 children while working on her English degree. In her spare time (which she miraculously still manages to have), she makes copper jewelry, wind-chimes, pencil sketches, paintings and the like. She spends the rest of her remaining time writing, reading, interpreting tea leaves and strangers' faces. She has a bite that stings like hot sulfur and eyes that know the depths of souls.
Jeremy Jaguar is a free-lance blogger and slam poet. He became the group’s “therapist” (that includes the readers) because of his experience in the dating world. Not to mention his strange fascination with the human mind and condition. He has been studying psychology for the past three years at IUPUI. He somehow keeps Panther and Lioness from clawing at each other, all the while maintaining his extremely swank composure. Go J-Luv.
Together they have over 30 years of experience in the writing and publishing world and if any one group of people will make it in the independent scene, it will definitely be this unique trio. By the way, did we mention that this project will be provided to Indianapolis readers for free? Check them out at celestialpanther.com and watch out for their prints sneaking into your favorite local shop.
For more information about Celestial Panther Publishing, visit their web site LINK