Subscriber News: May 2018
Recent Honors
Congratulations to Gary Beck. His poetry collection Expectations was released in April in print and e-book editions by Wordcatcher Publishing, an independent press in Wales. From the book blurb: "His explorations of a 'bankrupt civilization' and society's dependence on the cycle of consumerism make a reflective and at times uncomfortable read. Gary is unafraid to challenge us, our ingrained behaviors and our apathy as a society." Bill Brocato at the Houston Literary Review says, "His work stirs the emotions." In other news, Gary's poetry collection Rude Awakenings was published in April by Winter Goose Press. Paradise Review praises his "imagery and emotion that felt unique yet universal." His poetry chapbook Internet Yearnings was published in May by Fowlpox Press.
Congratulations to Débora Ewing. Her story "Full Moon New Year" was a finalist in the 47th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest and was published on their website. Visit her website for more of her writing. This thrice-yearly free contest gives prizes up to $100 for short stories that reflect the online journal's "interests in music, social history, literature, politics, art, film, and theatre, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-20th century America." The next deadline will be May 31.
Congratulations to David Michael McNelis. His memoir My Most Wanted Marijuana Mom: Growing Up in a Smuggling Family was recently published by Exposit Books, an independent publisher that "combines popular topics such as true crime with a serious approach." McNelis' book describes growing up in the 1970s with family members who went to prison for smuggling marijuana into the US when it was still illegal here.
Congratulations to Sofia Kioroglou. Her debut poetry collection, Literary Journeys to the Holy Land, was published by Gramma Press in affiliation with Promachos, an NGO dedicated to the raising of public awareness about the problems of starving children in Africa and the provision of food supplies. The book is a fusion of poetry and narrative accompanied by pictures from Sinai and Israel. The images and captions transport the reader to the places where Moses received the Ten Commandments and where Jesus walked and was crucified. This edition is in the original Greek; an English version will be published in October.
Congratulations to The Poet Spiel. His poem "Naked Arms" won first prize in the Colorado State Fair 2017 Poetry Competition (PDF). The next submission period will be June 1-July 20. He kindly shares it with us here. His book Revealing Self in Pictures and Words, a collection of new and selected paintings and poems, will be released later this year.
Congratulations to Rick Lupert. This month, Rothco Press published his 22nd poetry collection, Beautiful Mistakes, a travelogue of Seattle, Portland, and Twin Peaks. Rick says: "I drink coffee, I have conversations with Alexa, I search for owls in the trees, I have a Doughnut party in the hotel lobby, I dine with friends, and poets, and all is documented in these caffeinated, pie-filled, weird and beautiful poems." Read sample poems here. Rick will be reading with poets Amber Decker and Alexis Rhone Fancher at 8:00 pm on Friday, June 8, at Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Boulevard, Venice, CA.
Recent Publications
Dan Klefstad was the featured guest on the first episode of Guildy Pleasures, a podcast from the Rockford Writers Guild. He read a chapter from his novel-in-progress, The Guardian, and was interviewed by host Connie Kuntz. Visit his Amazon author page for his other works of fiction.
Mike Tuohy's political satire story "Fantasy Cabinet" was reprinted in Alycone: Speculative Fiction & Poetry, Issue #2 (2018). The story was originally published in 500 Miles Magazine in 2017. In other news, his story "Wunner If Elvis Got the Gun Instead?" was published in the 2017 Scribes Valley Writing Contest anthology Take a Mind Trip: Book a Fantasy. Mike says: "This story was inspired by a visit I made (at the suggestion of my editor, Jacq Marie Jacq) to the Tupelo Hardware Store where Elvis got his first guitar. According to lore, he came into the store on his 11th birthday to get a bike, but didn't have enough money. Then he spotted the .22 rifle. When his mama objected, the proprietor, Mr. Bobo, brought out a guitar. My story explores how things might have gone otherwise."
Judi Francis has started a blog, Miracles Do Happen, about raising a son with a developmental disability.
Lesléa Newman will be reading from her latest poetry collection, Lovely (Headmistress Press, 2018), at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, June 13, at the Amherst Senior Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA.
Konstantin Nicholas Rega has several poetry publications to report. "A Little Gardening" appeared in Typo Magazine, Issue 29. "Postmodern Rhapsody" appeared in Crack the Spine #235. "Weep Willow Reeds", "Like Father, Like", and "Heart & Soul" were published in Five🔢One. "Weep Willow Reeds" was also the poem of the day for April 18 at Every Day Poems.
Gail Thomas will be reading her poetry on Friday, May 18, at Anchor House of Artists, 518 Pleasant Street, Northampton, MA, in their Authors' Cabaret event for Arts Night Out, a monthly downtown gallery walk from 4:00-8:00 pm. Her portion of the reading will start around 7:00 pm. Visit her website to learn about her books and awards.
Published: May 7, 2018
