Cati Porter, former executive director of the Inlandia Institute, has founded Mile Square Press, an independent publishing house aimed at highlighting stories from Riverside, California. After leaving her role at the nonprofit in December, Porter wanted to reshape her career, ultimately identifying a need for children's literature that reflects the local history of Riverside.
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Her first publication, "Riverside California: The City Built from the River Up," authored by Janine Pourroy, addresses this gap. The book is designed for children, offering insights into the city's history that families can explore together. Porter noted, "Kids grow up here and ask questions, and this gives families an opportunity to explore those questions together."
Although the debut title centers on local history, Porter does not intend for the press to be limited to historical works. The next book, "10th Decade," by UCR history professor emeritus Carlos Cortés, is a poetry collection celebrating life in the later years. Porter shared that Cortés looks forward to turning 100, emphasizing the community focus of her publishing effort.
With over 15 years in the Riverside literary scene, including her tenure at the Inlandia Institute, Porter aims to keep Mile Square Press independent and community-driven. She plans to fund the press through pre-orders and advance pledges, ensuring that revenue directly supports book production.
Porter intends to operate the press solo, hiring freelancers for design tasks, and she expresses hope that the community will value these efforts enough to contribute financially. She will further support local writers through her monthly column, "Reading Room," in the Raincross Gazette, where she will share book recommendations and community stories.
In one planned installment, she aims to engage Riverside City Council members in a discussion about the last book they read for pleasure. Porter emphasizes the importance of reading, stating, "I think people are reading more than ever, but what they're reading is different. All reading counts."
She believes that literature fosters community connection, asserting, "Writing, the active writing itself may be a solitary act. But writers are not solitary creatures. We need to connect with each other and stay connected."