Marvin Bell to Judge the 2009 New Issues Poetry Prize

New Issues is now taking submissions for the 2009 New Issues Poetry Prize, an award given to a first book of poems. The prize includes a $2,000 award and publication. Marvin Bell, author of Mars Being Red, will select the winning manuscript. New Issues often publishes the runner-up and additional manuscripts from the contest.

Previous recipients of the New Issues Poetry Prize include Justin Marks, Sandra Beasley, Jason Bredle, Katie Peterson, and Malena Morling.

Visit our website for complete guidelines.

Jennifer Perrine Wins VABC's "Taste 'Test" Contest

Congratulations to Jennifer Perrine, author of The Body Is No Machine (New Issues, 2007), who was named the winner of the "Taste 'Test" contest, held by the Virginia Arts of the Book Center. In addition to being featured on Poetry Daily, her poem "If Life Gives You Lemons, Make" will be made into a limited-edition letterpress broadside by VABC artists.

Upcoming Poetry Readings

September 20, 2008 at 8 p.m.
The So and So Series: Rauan Klassnik, Justin Marks, and Lisa Olstein
The Distillery, 516 East Second St, Boston, MA

September 25, 2008 at 8 p.m.
The Third Area at Pharmaka, 101 West 5th St, Los Angeles, CA
Louise Mathias, Gail Wronsky, Holaday Mason and Marsha De La O

November 14, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
Imaginary Press Reading Series: Louise Mathias, David Dodd Lee and Hugh Behm-Steinberg
Jon Oulman Salon, 331 13th Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN

Ron Slate Reviews Sexton's Causeway

Visit Ron Slate's website to read his review of Elaine Sexton's Causeway: www.ronslate.com

Just a taste: "Causeway is a book to savor and study for its ambition, scope, and execution – but also, for its generosity in freeing us (by gathering us in its claws) to experience desire and understanding in dynamic and sometimes conflicting action, much as in 'Borrowed House': 'the way we push and pull one another / as we buffet the past, as I see it, through glass.'"

MCACA Grant Awarded to New Issues will Support the Publication of Michigan Poetry

New Issues Poetry & Prose has been awarded a $9,000 grant from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs to support the publication of three new titles in the Inland Seas Poetry Series. The three titles, each by poets who currently live in Michigan or who have strong Michigan connections, will be published in 2008-09.

* Talking Diamonds, a new book of poetry by former Poet Laureate of Grand Rapids, Michigan: Linda Nemec Foster.
* Beauty Breaks In, a fourth collection of poetry by Mary Ann Samyn, author of two other Inland Seas titles: Inside the Yellow Dress and Purr.
* Hilarity, a third book of poems by Detroit-native Patty Seyburn, and winner of our 2008 Green Rose Prize in Poetry.

"It seems like Michigan really takes care of its own writers," was a comment we received at a conference once, and yes, New Issues believes in supporting one of Michigan’s most precious natural resources. To date, the publication of over fifty books has been supported by MCACA as part of our Inland Seas Series.

The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs serves to encourage, develop and facilitate an enriched environment of artistic, creative, cultural activity in Michigan.

2008 Best New Poetry

Check out the latest Best American Poetry for poems by New Issues authors John Rybicki and Lee Upton. Lee Upton's poem, "Thomas Hardy," is from her collection Undid in the Land of Undone, published this year.

Sandra Beasley's Fall Poetry Readings

Monday, September 15, 2008 - 7:30 p.m.
Cafe Muse with Susan Settlemyre Williams (open mic to follow)
Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 South Park Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD

Sunday, October 19, 2008 - 3 p.m.
2008 Maureen Egen Exchange Award Winners :: Sandra Beasley (poetry) and Willett Thomas (fiction) Hosted by Poets & Writers magazine
Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, 126 Crosby Street, New York, NY

For a complete list of Sandra's upcoming events, visit her website: www.sandrabeasley.com.

Pineda Falls for the Book in Virginia

If you are in Virginia this fall, check out the Fall for the Book Festival. New Issues poet Jon Pineda will be reading as part of the festival.
When: Sun, Sep 21, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Busboys and Poets, 4251 S. Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA
Description: The award-winning poet reads from his collection, The Translator's Diary. Co-sponsored by Busboys and Poets and the Friends of the Sherwood Regional Library.

Sandra Beasley's Writer's Digest Interview

Robert Lee Brewer posted an interview with Sandra Beasley, author of Theories of Falling, to his blog, Poetic Asides, on the Writer's Digest website.

A small sampling of the interview:

Robert: You have a very nice website and blog. What do you see as the main benefits of having these?

Sandra: Honestly? My website started because of "Sandra Beasley and the Spaz Rats," my internet doppelganger who is a renowned expert on alternative medicine for rodents.

Want more? And why wouldn't you? Follow this link for the full interview: Exclusive Interview with Sandra Beasley.

Jericho Brown Gets Broadsided

Visit the Broadsided Press website to download the new broadside of Jericho Brown's poem "Open," beautifully illustrated by artist Kevin Morrow. Jericho Brown's poem will appear in his debut poetry collection Please, coming out this Fall from New Issues.