“Discover Indie Books and Holiday Wonders at Brooklyn’s Press Play Fair”
**The Vibrant World of Independent Publishing: A Peek into the 2024 Press Play Fair**
In the frenzied world of last-minute holiday shopping, surrounded by the clamor of commercialism, there’s a softer, more thoughtful space fostering creativity, connection, and community. That space was the 2024 Press Play fair, held at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, offering a refreshing antidote to the chaos of consumerism, with two days dedicated to independent publishers, artists, and storytellers. Now in its fifth year, the annual event has become a haven for lovers of books, zines, art, and ideas — a treasure trove of independent creations that resist the confines of mass production.
### A Celebration of the Tangible
Press Play thrives on the idea of making creativity something you can hold in your hands. From pocket-sized zines to beautifully printed books, the fair celebrates the tactile joy of turning a page, feeling its texture, and seeing the imprint of the creator’s hand. This commitment to the tangible is a core tenet for many participating exhibitors. For Passenger Pigeon Press, named after the now-extinct bird, spreading ideas means embracing non-digital, tangible forms of art and literature.
Holly Greene, the press’s Project Manager, explained how their work, led by founder Tammy Nguyen, aims to create “unconventional paths” of communication detached from technology. Their Martha’s Quarterly collection is a prime example — a small, meticulously crafted publication that feels like a personal note left in your hand.
### Community at Its Core
More than a space to showcase and sell, Press Play creates a unique sense of community among independent creatives and their audiences. Chance encounters and serendipitous meetings were a common theme throughout the weekend. Christina Lee, an illustrator, cartoonist, and riso artist who was exhibiting her work, highlighted this communal spirit. “There’s one component of sharing your work and selling it to make a living,” she said, “but there’s another component of seeing your friends and making new ones.”
At her booth, Lee found herself seated next to fellow artist Kyle Canyon, someone she’d never met before but quickly bonded with over their shared medium and artistic practices. These moments of connection, both planned and spontaneous, underline the unique magic of small press fairs like Press Play.
For Esmé Naumes-Givens, the zine-making process itself had become an intimately personal journey. On a mission to create a zine every month leading up to their 30th birthday, Naumes-Givens’ work is steeped in themes of self-reflection and growth, exploring their life through writing, visual art, and poetry. Sharing this journey at the fair allowed them not only to celebrate their work but to connect with others who found pieces of their own stories in the pages.
### A Mix of the Familiar and New
The fair was a crossroads for veteran publishers, emerging artists, and attendees eager to discover something new. Organizations like Nightboat, Wendy’s Subway, and Secret Riso Club brought familiar faces and work to the mix, while first-time exhibitors unveiled fresh ideas and offerings. Almost 130 exhibitors participated this year, making the fair a bustling hub of creativity. For Charlotte Anderson of Ellipsis Rare Books, the diversity of participants sparked fascinating and unexpected moments of connection.
Ellipsis founder Andrew Lenoir shared one such moment: “I was sitting here reading a book this morning — something really obscure — and a woman comes up and says, ‘My husband published that.’ I didn’t believe her at first. What are the odds she’d walk by while I’m reading it?” Such stories illustrate the synchronicity that seems to pervade gatherings like Press Play.
### Workshops and Serendipity
The fair didn’t stop at showcasing work — it actively invited participation. Artist-led workshops encouraged attendees to try their hand at creating, and free entry made the event accessible to an even wider audience. The thoughtful curation of booths also allowed for serendipitous discoveries. Exhibitors such as Armenian Creatives, working on a series of translations between Western Armenian and English, and MAKE ME! Magazine, known for its experimental approach, exemplified the fair’s emphasis on cultural diversity and experimentation.
### Lessons from the Extinct Passenger Pigeon
Throughout the weekend, one thematic undercurrent seemed to define the ethos of Press Play: the value of slowing down and cherishing the tangible. Be it risographed postcards, handmade zines, or first-edition classics from Ellipsis Rare Books, attendees left the fair reminded of the weight a single piece of paper could hold — connecting us back to stories, history, and ideas in a way digital screens simply cannot replicate.
Much like the carrier pigeon that inspires Passenger Pigeon Press, the Press Play fair encourages communication that is slower and more intentional, carrying meaning across distances in its own deliberate way.
Ultimately, Press Play isn’t just a book fair; it’s