Mark Gates, a former ad sales representative at the Village Voice, died earlier this month of lung cancer. He was 57. After working for a few years doing general sales at the Voice, Gates' boss suggested he start cold-calling publishers to sell book ads, but he was met with hesitation by the book publishers. As Gates told Publishers Weekly in 2006, he then came up with the idea of doing a section of book reviews once a month, and the Voice Literary Supplement was born, with the first issue coming out in October 1981.

Continue ReadingMark Gates, Who Helped Launch ‘Voice Literary Supplement,’ Dies

The Oakland-based alt-weekly is sticking its toe into the beer and entertainment business with the launch of EBX Bleeding Heart Lager and Club X. The lager is brewed by the local Linden Street Brewery, and all of the proceeds will go to local nonprofits of the Express' choice. The venue is on the first floor of the Express' office building, and will book all-ages shows in a partnership with the Oakland Metro Operahouse.

Continue ReadingThe East Bay Express Launches a New Beer and Live Music Venue

Earlier this year, the Denver alt-weekly Westword made waves when it began accepting applications for a critic to review medical marijuana dispensaries. Now its sister paper OC Weekly has also gone to pot -- the paper is hiring a freelance medical marijuana writer. "The ideal candidate will be a skilled, experienced writer and reporter who is well-versed in the history and politics of California's medical-pot laws -- from Proposition 215 to Senate Bill 420 to any municipal ordinances," editor Ted Kissell writes in a blog post.

Continue ReadingAnother Alt-Weekly Looking for Someone to Write About Pot

"In spite of the bad news that keeps streaming out of newsrooms, editorial cartoonists are not giving up," USC Annenberg publication Neon Tommy reports. "Most of the small community of 300 editorial cartoonists is adapting, experimenting with new media and sharpening its business sense." Among those who discuss the industry's future with Kevin Douglas Grant are Steve Greenberg, who contributes to the Ventura County Reporter, and Matt Bors, whose "Idiot Box" comic appears in several alt-weeklies. "I have a 'last man standing' strategy," Bors says. "I'm living in a shitty apartment, sleeping on an air mattress. I can't go down any further. Or maybe I could, but I don't plan on it."

Continue ReadingEditorial Cartoonists Discuss Newspaper Cutbacks

In addition to his part-time work at LEO, Ron Jasin has over the past few years created gig posters for Shellac, My Morning Jacket, the Monsters of Folk, Band of Horses, and Connor Oberst. "This started out from staying up all night making flyers at Kinko's," he tells Louisville Mojo. "I feel really lucky to be able to do what I do for a living. In the end, I'm just a fan of the music like everybody else."

Continue ReadingLEO Weekly Art Director Also Designs Posters for Marquee Indie Shows