PLUME POETRY 7 is in publication and order-able--one click away!

Publisher: Canisy Press

An author roster like this is a poet's dream come true. I am thrilled to have my poetry in this anthology with these splendid, exemplary poets. You don't have to look too hard for the "needle" of my name in this haystack line-up, I'll say. I swoon just having Stephen Dunn's name above mine.

You can order your copy of the anthology today at Plume Poetry 7. I am confident this anthology will excite and satiate your literary spirit.

The right amount of letters, just the right sound

I've been appointed Guest Editor for Poetry for Blue Lyra Review's Spring 2016 Issue and I couldn't be more excited about reading all of your wonderful poetry manuscripts, so make sure you check out the submissions guidelines and send me your best and strongest poetry. I can't wait to start reading. You still have time to draft new, wild, fabulous work because submissions do not close until February, 2016. I will be eagerly waiting for your work.

And in this corner, I've got new poetry forthcoming this month from Iodine Poetry Review, edited by the enormously gracious and brilliant Jonathan Kevin Rice, both a gifted poet and painter in his own right. In fact, he created the cover for the latest issue, in which my poetry will be appearing. For me this feels bittersweet, as the journal itself after many years will be taking down its shingle after the very next issue comes out. But I'll be happy to say that I have had poetry appear within its covers, and actually, a twofold happiness, because the poems Jonathan chose to take are a trio of haiku, a form I do not normally write in, and certainly have never published in before. So this is special on that count as well. Here's a look at the gorgeous artwork he created, called "Earth," on the cover of the issue:

Artwork -- "Earth" by Jonathan Kevin Rice

And then in late fall, I have poems appearing in two literary journals I am overwhelmed with enchanted joy and gratitude to be in -- Plume and Fulcrum. [[Update, 2016: It is now going to be a 2016 publication in Plume, most likely spring, possibly summer, and for Fulcrum, the hefty 2016 anthology is expected to be ready for a March/April release, just in time for the LA AWP.]] To say I am fortunate comes nowhere close to the immensity of my feelings -- for all of these journals on this post to have chosen my poetry for their pages, or chosen me to guest edit for others' literary work to be displayed under their banner. I am so thankful.

To editors: Helene Cardona (Fulcrum), Daniel Lawless (Plume), Jonathan Kevin Rice (Iodine Poetry Journal), and Matthew Silverman (Blue Lyra Review). I will never stop giving poetry my best ~ and it's too late to stop now. Instead, cherish is the word.

They Really Need to Turn that Conference into a Week-Long Thing

~AWP 2015 at Minneapolis!~

I posted most of these photos on facewatch, but they're all over the place on my wall. Much tidier here. Thought you'd like to see a pictorial of some AWP 2015 moments. It was a splendid conference. 

I love being a poet. I love writing poetry and reading poetry and I love poets. And if that sounds elementary, so be it. 

With the Staff of Fourteen Hills Literary Journal

Claudia Rankine, three-quarter view

Claudia Rankine, straight on

With Daniel Lawless

With Eduardo C. Corral and Brent Goodman

With Jericho Brown

Displaying Salmon Poetry titles with Salmon Poetry Managing Editor, Jessie Lendennie

With Carolyne Lee Wright and Kelly Davio, at the Tahoma Literary Review Table

Marie Howe, twofold 

With Oliver de la Paz and Lee Ann Roripaugh

The Pink Tuxedos, l to r: Sophie Cabot Black, Rita Dove, Carol Muske-Dukes, Marilyn Nelson

With Fred Viebahn and Rita Dove

With M Scott Douglass, at the Main Street Rag Booth

At the Salmon Poetry Booth, l to r: Yun Wang, Lori Desrosiers, Stephen Powers,
John Morgan, Cynthia, Jessie Lendennie
When directed to express how we feel during the first hours of the first day
of the AWP Conference

And then to express how we feel on the last hours of the last day

Stephen Powers, Cynthia, John Fitzgerald, Helene Cardona and Jessie Lendennie

~See you next year in LA!~