Pertaining to the Outside: Cantine Press' inaugural publication “Exoterica"

Join Cantine Press and writers, artists, and friends for a festive double launch! Over the course of two hours, converse with contributors to the literary anthology Exoterica, take part in a game of Exquisite Corpse, create blackout poetry with new friends, and enjoy music and libations to celebrate the launch of a new Oakland-based press. The event will feature micro-readings by contributors, a brief primer on book binding, and a chance to purchase a copy of Exoterica—including a limited number of our hand-bound Special Edition.

Cantine Press is a new experiment in publishing. Founded in 2024 and based in Oakland, California, they are testing out what they like and will change what they do accordingly. To start, they are collecting works by new and established writers and are especially keen to feature Bay Area locals. They will publish in multiple languages, beginning with English, French, and Spanish. They aren’t picky about genre. They like book arts almost as much as literary arts, so you can find hand-bound Special Edition versions of their publications. And they pay all of their contributors. Clio's is honored to host them on Friday, February 7th.

Exoterica: An Anthology is Cantine Press’ inaugural publication. It comprises an exploration of the meaning of the esoteric’s lesser-known twin. What happens when you try to say a complex thing simply during an era of climate catastrophe, rising authoritarianism, and mass dissociation? What does it look like to write and make art for everyone? Exoterica’s nineteen contributors responded with speculative fiction, listicles, a disgraced politician’s fictional final speech, poems about farms, deeply personal essays, and original artwork. Come see what this generation of exoterics has to say for themselves.

Featured contributors:

Audrey Taylor is a human rights activist and researcher working to end systemic violence against women and LGBTQIA+ communities, both at home in the San Francisco Bay Area and around the world. She hails from small-town Georgia and lives in Oakland, where she spends her weekends working on her first book.

Luke Swanson is a writer, musician, and sailor from Bellingham, Washington, who has called Berkeley, California his home for the last decade.

Nico Hough is a “writer” and an “artist.” He was born on a pacific island in 1988. He is the proud recipient of The World’s Best Kisser award. He lives in Miami with his brilliant partner, Pangea, and their cats.

Pangea Kali Virga was born and raised in New York and lives and works in Miami, Florida. Social responsibility is pivotal to her art, as she attempts to communicate urgent, difficult messages in beautiful and fun ways through narrative layered fiber art works, dramatic experiential art and performance, free and public sustainable art and skills workshops, and other collaborative projects with the public and arts institutions.

Samira Pingali is an Oakland-based public health practitioner working at the intersection of youth mental health and digital innovation. Originally from India and raised in the Philippines, Mexico, and Italy, Samira brings her unique perspective on the notion of home and belonging to her work.

William Hough (1986 to present) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After a misspent youth of literature and adventure he has retired to a quiet life of firefighting and marital bliss in Berkeley, California.

Nota bene: This event will sell out; walk-ins will be admitted based on space available. We recommended purchasing a ticket in advance for a nominal fee. Better yet, purchase a copy of Exoterica in advance and Clio's will pour you a house cocktail upon arrival. We love Cantine Press!

Cantine Press production team:

Emily Grigone is an independent graphic designer and visual artist based in the Pacific Northwest, where the Columbia River meets the Cascades. She leads design and production for Cantine Press. Nature, pattern, connection, and consciousness inspire her work.

Julia Uyttewaal is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Cantine Press. A human rights researcher and advocate by day, she is experimenting with ways to actualize the human right to and need for creative and collective expression.

Host or Publisher Clio's Books