This article appeared in the Patriot Ledger newspaper regarding the pending publication of hoi polloi.
The write stuff: Aspiring authors given new outlet
New publishing house will use its first book to help local charity
By SYDNEY SCHWARTZ, The Patriot Ledger
Marshfield resident Bob McNulty is helping people write their way to a better world. McNulty, an information technology consultant, founded Dog Days Press, to provide resources and publishing opportunities to new and established local writers.
Proceeds from his first project, "hoi polloi, A Literary Journal for the Rest of Us," published last month, are going to Sowing Seeds, a local charity that helps community members in need.
"It's a literary anthology and it's also a resource for people who may be interested in pursing writing, but they don't know where to get started," said McNulty, a former school committee member.
McNulty came up with the idea for the publishing endeavor during the dog days of the summer of 2006, he said.
His friend, Bitsy Bullock, a member of the Sowing Seeds board of directors, was looking for ways to raise money.
McNulty's son had recently self-published a book and he understood the difficulties in getting published. McNulty wanted to give writers an outlet for their work while helping to raise money for those in need.
Sowing Seeds helps people meet housing needs and provides job counseling, family budget guidance, parenting information, adult companionship, clothing, transportation to medical appointments, legal assistance and help for the handicapped.
McNulty said, the name Dog Days Press has a dual significance because the idea occurred to him during the dog days of a summer and because "every dog has his day." He named his first publication in the same vein. The Greek term "hoi polloi" means "the masses."
"The average person has an opportunity to express their writing talents," McNulty said.
McNulty set up a Web site for submissions and reached out to local published and novice authors. The journal was published last month. It features short stories, articles, essays, poetry and a one act play, along with author profiles and interviews and profiles of Marshfield and Sowing Seeds.
Authors range in experience. There is an essay by his niece, an Abington teenager who wrote about her brother leaving for Iraq. The journal also includes resources for those who want to pursue writing.
McNulty wrote a short story and a poem. He said he had difficulty deciding whether his own writing was up to par for publication, but decided the whole premise of the journal was to give writers like him a voice.
"The whole premise of 'hoi polloi' is that it's a sample of writers of all talents and varieties," he said. "There are people in there whose writing is very simple. Some of the writing is very talented."
McNulty released a version of the journal for $12.95. He plans to release a smaller one and a hard-cover version. He's sold 15 books. He promised to buy a copy for each contributor.
Over the next few months, the book will be available through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble online and will be available to local bookstores. McNulty is also planning a book launch event.
He plans to launch a second edition in October and dedicate the proceeds to another local charity. He's also starting a book project for middle and high school students. He would also like to publish a compilation of interviews with Vietnam War veterans like him.
"What I hope to do is each year have another charity to focus it on," McNulty said. "I think it's a worthwhile project that can generate more enthusiasm in the writing community. I find that it a novel approach to fundraising. I think it's also a lot of fun."
The anthology "hoi polloi" is available online through the publisher LULU.com. For more information or to order a book, visit dogdayspress.com.
Sydney Schwartz may be reached at sschwartz.ledger.com.
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