Arthur Powers has a new book, The Book of Jotham, out on Kindle. The Book of Jotham won the 2012 Tuscany Prize for Catholic Fiction for the Novella and is published by Tuscany Press, which is “seeking and making known stories with human frailties, beauty, grace, love, redemption, hope, courage and the presence of God.” The 61-page book is about Jotham who is a mentally challenged man-child and apostle of Jesus Christ. Arthur also has a book of short stories due out from a great little independent publisher, and I will tell you more about that when the publication is out.
Patty Somlo has a short story “A Leaf in the Storm” in Dark Matter. Dark Matter is a blog for speculative literature. Patty’s story begins this way: “You spotted him across the poorly lit subway station. He carried a small cane suitcase held together with rope.” Bet you want to read the rest . . .
Patty also has a story called “The Ship” in the St. Somewhere Journal. Here is how the journal describes itself: “St. Somewhere Journal is an online literary journal with a focus on the broader Caribbean Basin region. Our primary mission is to present works from, about or inspired by this geographic region, its peoples and cultures.”
Did I tell you that Michael Constantine McConnell has a poem “Faun’s Lament” published in Electric Velocipede? The four-part poem begins: “I loved a woman carved from green cheese.”
Thanks to Jason Pettus at Chicago Center of Literature and Photography (CCLaP) for mentioning me in his January 10, 2013 blog on The Year in Books: Highlights from Locals and Friends. If you don’t know about CCLaP then you are missing out. For instance, you know how lately George Saunders is receiving all kinds of accolades? Well, Jason uploaded an interview podcast with him (January 15) and followed it the next day with a critical overview of Saunder’s work.That’s just one example of the great subject matter that Jason takes on. And of course in addition to all the blogs, reviews and photos posted on the site, CCLaP produces unique books. The latest is Famous Drownings in History, Essays on 21st Century Jewishness.
R.D. Armstrong editor of LUMMOX wants you to keep the journal in mind and suggests that it might be the right addition to the syllabus for a class you are teaching. LUMMOX (no. 1) represents a cross-section of 21st Century underground / small press poetry. The first issue features “favorite poems” by over 200 poets, with a special emphasis on the poetry of Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico. I was lucky enough to have a poem “Commiseration” in this new journal.
Finally, this site receives few legitimate comments but many spam messages, hawking UGG boots, replica jerseys, designer purses and lots of other stuff. Spammers are smart and try to leave a message that could pass as on the level. One I recently received cracked me up — it was almost poetry:
I guess I could come over
Keep your temper under control.
What’s up? He invited me to dinner yesterday.
Do me a favor?
When I was young, I’d listen to the radio, waiting for my favorite songs.
When I was young, I’d listen to the radio, waiting for my favorite songs.
These shoes don’t fit right.
The price just covers the cost.
I’ll have to ask my bosswife first.
Thanks for reading. . .
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