more people

Miranda Ericsson Kendall
Fran Beier
April Ewing
Susan Jackson-Rodgers
Lisa Tatonetti
and
Jessica Phoenix

Cover Art

The theme of the poetry is around my memoir--around being raised by two mothers. My mom came out in 1983, then met Sondra after a couple of years. They've been together for almost 30 years now.

As far as what a painting would look like, based on the poems: I picture a white, snowy background, the old Kansas Capitol Building (pre-Ad-Astra, and with its green dome), and two Valkyrie in flight on horses.

This is the cover I originally wanted:
http://marvel.wikia.com/Defenders_Vol_1_130
Marvel's gatekeeper wants $2500 for me to use it.

Then I found this:
http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=726847&GSub=27627
Wizards of the Coast is without reply.

So this is where I am.

If you don't know

http://emergeliteraryjournal.com/2013/09/17/elj-publications-pending-publications/

I want to thank Ariana!

I don't like Tom Petty!

Good news: Subito Press selected My Secret Wars of 1984 as a semi-finalist!

Bad news: Cue Tom Petty. "The wa-a-ait-ing is the hardest part."

Yes, waiting to see if we can bring MSWo1984 into the world.

Don't get me wrong--I am thankful to get the recognition, to meet new poets, and to be part of the community.

It's just that Tom Petty breaks in with his Southern whine.

Just sent the file

I just sent the file to Ariana, the final words I want in the chapbook.

Also, I am close to having the cover art selected.

Very thrilling.

I'm reflecting on the people I will be joining at ELJ. I've also facebook friended a few.

I'm just happy all-around!

December 15, 2013

The release date is set. I'm negotiating art for the cover. All is good.

With Loving Thanks

With loving thanks to the mothers in my life: Susan & Sondra (familial), Margy (adoptive), and Carrie (spousal). With many thanks to Joe Harrington and Hadara Bar-Nadav for their mentorship, friendship, help with the poems that sparked this collection, and for their endless dedication to people. With grateful thanks to the editors who took in some of these poems: Julia Cohen, Bin Ramke, Jennifer A. Luebbers, Cate Lycurgus, and Deborah Kim. With brotherly thanks to Kevin Rabas, for his letters and support. With friendly thanks to Ben Cartwright, Leslie Von Holten, Jennifer Pacioianu, Melanie Burdick, and Sarah Smarsh. With familial thanks to DeAnn, Tom, Carl, Sarah, Martha, Joy, and Ron. With deepest thanks to the mentors who continue: Tom Averill, Amy Fleury, Li-Young Lee, Elizabeth Dodd, Donna Potts, Susan Jackson-Rogers, and Laura Moriarty. With a poetic thanks to CA Conrad, Kristin Prevallet, Lyn Hejinian, Travis and JenMarie Macdonald, and Sandra Simonds for keeping it real. With collegial thanks to Danny Wade, Sharon Sullivan, the Department of English, and everyone at Washburn University for their support--especially my students who keep me real. With a Topekan thanks to Leah Sewell, Tom Kennedy, Laura Burton, Matt Beneka, Sara O'Keeffe, the great people at PT's at College Hill, Juli's, the YWCA and its Center for Safety and Empowerment, seveneightfive, I DO, XYZ, NOTO, and the other people who keep it real. With a Lawrencian thanks to Judy Roitman, Jim McCrary, Megan Kaminski, Billie Joe Harris, Brian Daldorph, Denise Low-Weso, and the other poets there who keep it real. With a literary thanks to the Woodley Staff, especially Larry and Linda McGurn. With a Kansan thanks to Julie Mulvihill, the board, and everyone at Kansas Humanities Council who help keep the humanities in Kansas alive. With ecstatic thanks to Ariana Den Bleyker for taking in the manuscript, and for all of the work she does in building poetic communities. With warmest thanks to you.