Independent Rockford bookstore launches publishing arm with focus on exporting local talent
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — An independent bookstore in downtown Rockford has launched its own publishing arm that will be focused on showcasing local talent.
Maze Books, 406 E. State St., is releasing its first book “Cold Comfort” on Saturday at the store. That collections of poems, essays and illustrations fittingly comes from the shop’s owner, Dave Pedersen. But the author’s goals extend beyond a glorified form of self-publishing: Pedersen hopes to make Maze Books a means to export Rockford’s literary and artistic talent to other communities.
“We’re importing so many things here, and there’s so much talent I think we can export it,” he said. “There’s something about Rockford that’s not like anywhere else. There is something here that we can export, and I think it’s a lot of creativity.”
Next up for Maze Books is a haiku anthology focused on Rockford and illustrated by Rockford artist Joe Tallman. That project is slated for 2025. Pedersen also envisions poetry chatbooks and reprints of classic books in the public domain with fresh covers from Rockford artists or forewords from local literary experts.
“The hope that this can be a cultural hub for literature — that is something I’ve talked about since we opened,” Pedersen said. “The anthology is going to be a great way to showcase some of the talent, and it’s going to be a great way for me to get more into the editing role.”
Pedersen said they’re not taking open submissions for publication, but instead plan to work with people who they’ve connected with at various literary events.
“I like to showcase writers and authors and poets who are in regular attendance at other authors and poets events,” he said. “The people who will be published at Maze Books will be people who you already know about, who have already been putting in the work and supporting everybody, and this will be the cherry on top for them.”
“Cold Comfort,” Pedersen’s third book, is a collection of poems and personal essays that explore post-pandemic isolation. The first run of books is just 200 copies, with orders headed to other small bookshops Pedersen has met through the industry.
The cover was designed by photographer and zine maker Ryan Searl and the foreword was done by poet and author Don Heneghan.
It was printed locally at 11th Street Express Printing. Doing so, Pedersen said, gave a high level of control of the every aspect of the feel and look of the book.
“Right now, anybody can publish anything,” he said. “It’s just a matter of can you put your hands on it? Can you feel it and make it sure it’s exactly what you want before it goes to print?”
The look and feel was designed in the style of Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s “City Lights Pocket Poets” with a small but heavy stock that can fit in your pocket so it’s easy to carry around and read.
Pedersen said he pored over options with Gary Ehrhardt and Susan Richards of 11th Street Express Printing before landing on the final product.
“Everything there is on purpose, from the cream color to the weight,” he said. “I want it to have a real feel of, this is not made in some real-quick, fast publishing house. This is a piece of artwork on its own.”
Book release | ‘Cold Comfort’
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Where: Maze Books, 406 E. State St., Rockford
Admission: Free
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
