Local publishing company hopes to promote work of volunteers, nonprofits

The Look House, home to Alice James Books.

FARMINGTON – A local publishing company specializing in poetry is hoping to draw attention to itself and other nonprofit organizations with an appearance at the state house next month.

Alice James Books has been selected to appear at the 9th Annual Nonprofit Day on Feb. 2, along with 12 other Maine organizations that represent a wide range of nonprofit activity. The publishing organization, based out of the Look House on Main Street, will present books, posters and other material that advertises the range of its poetry publications at the Hall of Flags in the Augusta State House from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The nonprofit, founded in 1973, was named for the talented writer Alice James, the sister of William and Henry James, whose work went unrecognized during her lifetime. At AJB's start, the seven founders of the publishing cooperative wanted to give women better representation in the industry; it has since evolved into a publishing company that encourages the work of all poets. Alice James Books titles have been reviewed in The New York Times Sunday Book Review, The New Yorker, Bark, Slate, Boston Globe, L.A. Times, Library Journal, Poetry, Publishers Weekly, and other publications.  AJB has also been featured in several magazines on poetry and writing.

"We're kind of an unexpected entity," AJB Executive Director Carey Salerno said Thursday.

As an affiliate of the University of Maine at Farmington, the book publisher sponsors creative writing major student interns each semester for a variety of work experiences in publishing.

Recent publications include "Hagar Before the Occupation, Hagar After the Occupation," a collection of poems by Amal al-Jubouri that is part of AJB's Translation series and "Pier," a collection by Janine Oshiro.

"We're dedicated to the preservation of poetry," Salerno said. Future plans include distributing some publications in an e-book format, beginning with "Here, Bullet" by Brian Turner. AJB's widest-selling publication, "Here, Bullet" has sold more than 30,000 copies.

AJB has been a member of the Maine Association of Nonprofits for 10 years, Salerno said. Nonprofit Day is an annual event, providing an opportunity for nonprofits to showcase their efforts in Maine communities, as well as highlighting the work of organizations and volunteers in promoting the arts, preserving the environment and advancing science.

"I hope people will come to the exhibit and come out and learn about us and these other nonprofits," Salerno said. While the event demonstrates the impact of a handful of selected organizations, she added, it was really meant to recognize the work of all such groups across the state, as well as the volunteer and philanthropic support that made such activities possible.

AJB will be appearing with 12 other nonprofits:

Cobscook Community Learning Center, Trescott
Community Counseling Center, Portland
Consumers for Affordable Health Care, Augusta
Frannie Peabody Center, Portland
Friends of Seguin Island Light Station, Bath
Maine Robotics, Orono
Mano en Mano, Milbridge
Natural Resources Council of Maine, Augusta
Operation Breaking Stereotypes, Orono
Spurwink, Portland
Trekkers, Tenants Harbor
Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP), Portland

The 9th Annual Nonprofit Day takes place on Feb. 2, 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., in the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta. For more information on this event, contact the Maine Association of Nonprofits at (207) 871-1885 or visit www.nonprofitmaine.org/nonprofitday.