Yellow Press Contributors
The ​Yellow Press was centered around the ideology that new artists should have the opportunity and platform to showcase their works. With over 130 contributors to the Milk Quarterly publications, the press stayed true to their vision by delivering artists with a place to share their works. The press published the works of poets ranging from literary masters to novices in the field.
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The press also published many full length books written by its founders as well as many of their colleagues. Throughout the early years of the press, Ted Berrigan and Paul Carroll were remarkable mentors for the students who started the Yellow Press. Their insightful contributions and backing of the press cannot be left unnoticed.
To view a complete list of literary contributors to Milk Quarterly and the Yellow Press click below.¹
Core Contributors and Mentors
Co-founder and Editor
Peter Kostakis
While attending school at the University of Illinois-Chicago, Peter Kostakis studied under Paul Carroll. He became involved with Ted Berrigan when Berrigan came to Chicago to teach at Northeastern Illinois University. Kostakis was encouraged, by Berrigan, to co-found a platform where he and his peers could release their own work. Through the process, Kostakis became an editor for the Yellow Press and published Sweet Little Sixteen through the press.
Co-founder and Editor
Richard Friedman
Richard Friedman helped co-found the Yellow Press and Milk Quarterly during his time studying at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Friedman also helped to direct the Yellow Press readings at the Body Politic theater. During his time with the press, Friedman released The Origin of Eyelids, Straight, and Physical Culture. Friedman was also heavily involved in teaching poetry workshops at Northeastern Illinois University during the spring of 1976. Friedman also moderated weekly poetry shows on WZRD-FM and WBEZ-FM in Chicago.²
Co-founder and Editor
Darlene Pearlstein
Darlene Pearlstein also helped to start Milk Quarterly and the Yellow Press during her time at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Pearlstein co-edited the issues of Milk Quarterly, and published her own book of children's poetry called Rabbits, Frogs and Other Mischief. She also helped co-direct the Body Politic reading series. Pearlstein continued to share her work while teaching full-time for the Chicago Public Schools.
Co-founder
Bob Rosenthal
Bob Rosenthal helped found the Yellow Press and the Body Politic readings during his time at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Rosenthal helped edit the Milk Quarterly through its first seven issues, but eventually took more of a back seat role in the publication of the magazine. Rosenthal also published three of his own works through the Yellow Press: Morning Poems, Sweet Substitute, and Rude Awakenings.
Mentor and Teacher
Paul Carroll
Paul Carroll became involved with the Yellow Press through his teaching position at the University of Illinois-Chicago. He continued to be a great mentor to the students as they matured into a publishing house and founded the magazine Milk Quarterly. Carroll also published his work New and Selected Poems through the press in 1978.
Mentor and Teacher
Ted Berrigan
Ted Berrigan became involved with the founders of Milk Quarterly after teaching night classes at Northeastern Illinois University. Berrigan encouraged the students to create their own platform and take charge when it came to publishing their works. He backed their magazine, press, and reading series. Berrigan also released his own work Red Wagon through the Yellow Press in December of 1976.
Mentor
Alice Notley
Alice Notley became connected to the Yellow Press after her husband, Ted Berrigan took the young poets under his wing. The couple often welcomed the students into their home and offered endless advice and support to the budding the artists. Notley often read for the press' reading series and aided greatly in the publication of Milk Quarterly. Notley also published her collection, Alice Ordered Me to b Made, through the Yellow Press in January of 1976. She also later published At Night the States through the press.
(1) Digger, Terence. Encyclopedia of The New York School Poets. Facts on File, 2009.
(2) Friedman, Richard, et al., editors. 15 Chicago Poets. Yellow Press, 1976.