Poets, Poetry, News, Reviews, Readings, Resources & Opportunities for Poets and Writers
Author: Jamie Dedes
Jamie Dedes is a Lebanese-American poet and free-lance writer. She is the founder and curator of The Poet by Day, info hub for poets and writers, and the founder of The Bardo Group, publishers of The BeZine, of which she was the founding editor and currently a co-manager editor with Michael Dickel. Ms. Dedes is the Poet Laureate of Womawords Press 2020 and U.S associate to that press as well. Her debut collection, "The Damask Garden," is due out fall 2020 from Blue Dolphin Press.
When we marched,
Slithered
Through slimy mud past riot-shielded cops in Alexander
(This is the ghetto.)
While children peered wild-eyed from dark windows,
For some of us these were re-runs of earlier apartheid-burdened days.
But, then, it was defiant resolution that drove our hearts and braced our feet.
Now, sadness at betrayal sat sadly on our hearts.
Our shouted slogans hung heavy over us in grimy air.
We winced at familiar oft-repeated lies
Oft-repeated lies.
There are people for whom poetry exists almost exclusively as an aid to social change, to political discourse– not as some sort of didacticism – but as a discussion, a wake up call (consciousness raising), a way of approaching some truth, finding some meaning, encouraging resolution. A horrific war photo, a terrorist act, a homeless person outside the grocery, a friend in pain that can be traced to a social injustice, and the words start to flow. There’s the urge to respond, to do something …. even if that something is simply the passion to express the moment in poetry. Perhaps righteous passion is the strongest form of resistance and poetry the conscience of the collective soul.
In Dennis Brutus’ poem above, he points to the world we now live in. Having survived Robben Island with Nelson Mandela, he was freed only to find that while racial apartheid ended in South Africa it had become world-pervasive,, expressing itself as economic inequality. The few haves vs. the masses of have-nots.
I can’t help but think that the revolutionary peace, justice and sustainability so many of us seek is rooted in the slow transformation of values. Hence, it is more evolutionary than revolutionary. As such, perhaps that change is as gradual as the pervasiveness of our desires.
Perhaps it is evident in our blogosphere and the heart-born prose and poems of simple folk like you and me with nary a pundit or politician among us. Perhaps it’s a bottom-up thing, more likely to be blogged than broadcast, often rising from homespun poetry – outsider art – sometimes rudimentary and awkward, but always quiet and true and slow like a secret whispered from one person to the next. It is perhaps something stewing even as we write, read, and encourage one another. Perhaps there is some bone and muscle in what we do. Individually we have miniscule “audiences.” Collectively we speak to enormous and geographically diverse populations.
So let some impact from my words echo resonance lend impulse to the bright looming dawn
Dennis Brutus
Poem on, my friends, and keep your ideals. They are real …
… and to my country-folk today …
HappyFourthof July!
In the confusion of these days, let’s not abandon the highest, most ethical and sensible of our aspirations.
GLASS: A JOURNAL OF POETRY, poetry that enacts the artistic and creative purity of glass, was Founded in Toledo, Ohio, the Glass City, by Holly Burnside and Anthony Frame, Glass: A Journal of Poetry (ISSN 1941-4137) was published online twice a year (June and December) from 2008 until 2014 by Glass Poetry Press. Beginning in 2016, it became a weekly online publication. Currently the editors have a call out for submissions for a special feature in response to the June 12 shooting at the Pluse Nightclub in Orland, Florida. Details HERE. Submissions close on July 15.
RALEIGH REVIEW LITERARY & ARTS MAGAZINE “is a national non-profit magazine of poetry, fiction, and art. We believe that great literature inspires empathy by allowing us to see the world through the eyes of our neighbors, whether across the street or across the globe. Our mission is to foster the creation and availability of accessible yet provocative contemporary literature.[The editors] are looking for poetry, flash fiction, and short fiction that is emotionally and intellectually complex. We read every piece for its intrinsic value, so new/emerging voices are often published along nationally recognized, award-winning authors. Details HERE.
INDIANOLA REVIEW has a reading period from April 15 – December 15. It accepts fiction, nonfiction and “poetry: 3 – 5 pieces in one Word Document. We want our poetry to matter. We want to invest ourselves in the voice of the narrator. We welcome all forms, but generally speaking: if you make it a point to impress us with your format alone without investing yourself in the content, we’ll know. Of course, if you can break these rules and break them elegantly, we want your work.” Details HERE.
CREATIVE NONFICTION, True Stories, Well Toldsays: “Unlike many magazines, Creative Nonfiction draws heavily from unsolicited submissions. Our editors believe that providing a platform for emerging writers and helping them find readers is an essential role of literary magazines, and it’s been our privilege to work with many fine writers early in their careers. A typical issue of CNF contains at least one essay by a previously unpublished writer.” Details HERE.
BRAIN MILL PRESS “is a small, innovative publisher actively dedicated to producing a catalog of human experiences of love — all kinds of love — with a story-first approach in multiple genres. We have open submission calls a few times a year, and we host the Driftless Unsolicited novella contest in the late spring. At other times, submission is via invitation only. We are particularly interested in submissions from people of color, LGBTQIA+ writers, and women.” DETAILS HERE
Brian Mill Press was founded “in 2014 by two bestselling authors with over twenty years’ experience in the publishing industry, Brain Mill Press is a midsize independent publisher of “love books for humans.” Our goal is to build a catalog of radically authentic stories and poetry about all facets of the human experience with love, understood as broadly as possible.”
BLUE LYRA REVIEW, A Literary Journal of Diverse Voicespublishes “poetry (short, longish, free, narrative, lyric or prose), creative nonfiction, translations, art, fiction, and book reviews. Second, what we are looking for is simple: something that burns us, moves us, and makes us want to reread it. However, we are not looking for horror or erotica or western or something that will be offensive (use your judgment!). Every editor says it but this should be your goal: leave us desiring more. Send us your very best!” Details HERE. Pay attention to their reading periods and submission deadlines. Details HERE.
HEEB MAGAZINE has a sense of humor and is a Jewish magazine born in Brooklyn, NY with straight forward, no fuss guidelines. It’s editors welcome “your submissions, but we can’t promise to love everything. For best results: Keep it short and sweet. Aim for 500. The MAX is 1000 words! Your submissions should fit into one of these categories: News, Culture, Israel, Food, Urban Kvetch, Shtick Write for the universal reader. Heeb is to Jews, as ketchup is to hot dogs. We’re not interested in feeding hot dog(ma) to anyone. Don’t upload photos you don’t have the rights to. If you’re using a Creative Commons image, make sure to provide us with the photographer’s name and the original source. Thanks!” View and Submit HERE.
AMERICA MAGAZINE, The National Catholic Review accepts submissions including poetry. Details HERE.
THE BeZINE, a publication of The Bardo Group Bequines is currently reviewing submissions – including poetry – for its July issue. The theme is “Faith: In things seen and unseen.” Submission guidelines are HERE.
EVENTS
CLMP, Community of Literary Magazines and Presses announces its “Chinese Food Under the Manhattan Bridge: a fall gala” scheduled for November 2nd. Details and tickets HERE.
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FIRST SATURDAY POETRY IN BAY SHORE, LI, NY hosted by Matt Pasca and Terri Muuss – food, fun — OPEN MIC — bring your instruments and your poems. Saturday, July 9 at 7 PM – 10 PM Locations: Cyrus Chai & Coffee Company, 1 Railroad Plz, Bay Shore, New York
RESOURCES
POETRY MAGAZINES “contains Poetry Library’s free access non-profit-making online archive of English 20th and 21st century poetry magazines which is part of the library’s ongoing digitisation project funded by the Arts Council England. The Poetry Library launched in 2003. It aims to reach new audiences and preserve the magazines for the future. It already holds more than 6,000 poems published in over 50 different magazines, with work by Fleur Adcock, Jen Hadfield, Seamus Heaney, Michael Horovitz, Jackie Kay, Edwin Morgan, Paul Muldoon, Les Murray, Sheenagh Pugh, Owen Sheers, Fiona Sampson, Penelope Shuttle and many more. The website has been selected by the British Library to be archived by its digital heritage web archiving project, the UK Web Archive.”
THE LONG ISLAND WRITERS HOUSE, established in Huntington in 2014, announced its transition to the Karen Rae Levine Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit. The goal is to foster literacy, creativity and creative writing, and to encourage literary, performing and visual arts. Our concentration will be on the underserved. As an alternative to the a commercial space in Huntington (Long Island, New York), the foundation will connect Long Island’s talented artists with each other and with the community with programs across Long Island and through social media such as a Facebook group, a blog and YouTube productions. If you know of a community in need or if you’re an author or artist with insights to share, email Karen@liwriters.org. Support the arts on Long Island! Membership rates will be announced shortly. Donations can be made on the website or sent by check, payable to Karen Rae Levine Foundation, PO Box 2011, Huntington, NY 11743. Thank you!
Karen writes, “l started the Long Island Writers House on a wing and a prayer. I missed the camaraderie I shared with other writers while going to school in Manhattan for my MFA in Creative Writing. Back home, I recognized that Manhattan was not an easy trek and that was no center on Long Island where writers could learn and network. There were many places for visual and performing artists to congregate, but none for those who created their art with words. I started the Writers House at my home, offering seminars and readings. I combined genres by including performing and visual artists and explored learning methods like Yoga and writing. There were no celebrities and no red pens. My philosophy was and is that we are all in this together. When I saw interest grow, I moved it to a commercial space in Huntington. So many people walked into the space, excited and grateful. But excitement and gratitude couldn’t pay the rent. Meanwhile, I had applied for nonprofit status. With the 501c3 Karen Rae Levine Foundation, I shifted the idea of a physical meeting space to cyberspace. Writers and other artists could still network online, blog, and share their insights on YouTube productions. An as funds grow, I can reach out across this big Island, connecting experts I’ve come to know and respect to aspiring wordsmiths at any level, in their own community.”
BOOK LAUNCH
English Poet Myra Schneider at her 80th Birthday celebration and the launch of her 12th collection
CONGRATULATIONS TO MYRA SCHNEIDER on the publication of her twelfth collection, Persephone in Finsbury Park (Enitharmon Press, 2015). More news to come and apologies that I could only download the back cover.
THE POET BY DAY SUNDAY POESY
Submit your event, book launch and other announcements at least fourteen days in advance to thepoetbyday@gmail.com. Publication is subject to editorial discretion.
Poet, Matt Pasca, Raven Wire (Shanti Arts Publishing, 2016)Poet Terri Muss, Over Exposed (JB Stillwater, 2013)
POETRY IN BAY SHORE, LI, NY hosted by Matt Pasca and Terri Muuss – food, fun — OPEN MIC — bring your instruments and your poems.
Saturday, July 9 at 7 PM – 10 PM
Locations: Cyrus Chai & Coffee Company
1 Railroad Plz, Bay Shore, New York
POETRY IN DOWNTOWN BAY SHORE! Join hosts Matt Pasca and Terri Muuss every second Saturday at Cyrus’ for the kind of poetry, coffee, treats and open mic experience you’ve been looking for!!! Our features will move and inspire you with their honesty and scintillating presence. Open mic follows features, so bring your ukulele, cello, double bass, guitar, sonnets, spoken word, villanelles and more!
MAYMAY is the former President of Spit, spoken word poetry club at Hofstra University, and still performs her work passionately and often around the NY area.
BRI ONISHEA is a want-to-be gypsy, ardent lover of words and pursuer of a lifetime of art and learning. More specifically, she is a New York poet, artist, editor, tutor and individual case worker for EPIC. A graduate of SUNY Geneseo, where she co-edited the school’s literary magazine, Bri will be an MSW candidate at Stony Brook University in the fall.
Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011), English-American writer, polemicist, social and literary critic
“I am no prophet—and here’s no great matter;
I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker,
And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker …” The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, T.S. Eliot
I was reminded once again of Hitch when his name came up in conversation at our last book club meeting on June 26th. CHRISTOPHER “HITCH” HITCHENS died in December 2011 of esophageal cancer. He was sixty-two. Famous or infamous – depending on your view – for his atheism among other things, he was a writer who wrote well and prodigiously, was unapologetic for his views and his lifestyle, and who died gracefully. When faced with death, he made it clear that he hadn’t amended his opinion as expressed in his best-selling book of 2007, God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything,
His opinions are controversial and debatable and that’s part of what makes him fun. How dull when there are no differences. Life would be an intellectual wasteland. As long as we take our differences to the debate halls (Hitchens was splendid at debate), the op-eds, the magazines/newspapers/blogs and the voting booth and not to the killing fields, it’s okay. When we know who we are, we are not easily shocked or threatened by perspectives and opinions that differ from our own.
I appreciate Hitch’s honesty and acuity. Nonsmoking teetotaler I am, yet I admire the spirit in this – quoted from his New York Times obituary – “He also professed to have no regrets for a lifetime of heavy smoking and drinking. ‘Writing is what’s important to me, and anything that helps me do that…'” He was true to himself right to the end even as he admitted that his lifestyle contributed to his illness.
In his writing and in debates, Hitch did attack our sacred cows. Hitch’s gift was to make us re-examine our dusty old assumptions and the positions we sometimes take for granted, having been spoonfed them since childhood by parents, clergy, teachers and culture. Indeed, upon examination, there is much that comes up lacking, needing to be abandoned, reformulated or expressed in a more coherent manner.
Perhaps more than anything, I admire the grace with which Christopher Hitchens lived with dying. He did a more principled and dignified job of it than many of us in our faith communities. He was diagnosed in June 2010 and wrote about this journey in his Vanity Fair columns. The “cynical contrarian” had heart, perhaps even a kinder more tolerant and generous heart than many an avowed theist.
I sometimes wish I were suffering in a good cause, or risking my life for the good of others, instead of just being a gravely endangered patient.”
He wrote that the …
Prospect of death makes me sober, objective.”
He pursued his craft right to the end.
‘Cancer victimhood contains a permanent temptation to be self-centered and even solipsistic,’ Hitchens wrote . . . but his own final labors were anything but: in his last 12 months, he produced for this magazine a piece on U.S.-Pakistani relations in the wake of Osama bin Laden’s death, a portrait of Joan Didion, an essay on the Private Eye retrospective at the Victoria and Albert Museum, a prediction about the future of democracy in Egypt, a meditation on the legacy of progressivism in Wisconsin, and a series of frank, graceful, and exquisitely written essays in which he chronicled the physical and spiritual effects of his disease. At the end, Hitchens was more engaged, relentless, hilarious, observant, and intelligent than just about everyone else—just as he had been for the last four decades.” Vanity Fair
He wrote with excruciating honesty.
Like so many of life’s varieties of experience, the novelty of a diagnosis of malignant cancer has a tendency to wear off. The thing begins to pall, even to become banal. One can become quite used to the specter of the eternal Footman, like some lethal old bore lurking in the hallway at the end of the evening, hoping for the chance to have a word. And I don’t so much object to his holding my coat in that marked manner, as if mutely reminding me that it’s time to be on my way. No, it’s the snickering that gets me down.
“On a much-too-regular basis, the disease serves me up with a teasing special of the day, or a flavor of the month. It might be random sores and ulcers, on the tongue or in the mouth. Or why not a touch of peripheral neuropathy, involving numb and chilly feet? Daily existence becomes a babyish thing, measured out not in Prufrock’s coffee spoons but in tiny doses of nourishment, accompanied by heartening noises from onlookers, or solemn discussions of the operations of the digestive system, conducted with motherly strangers. On the less good days, I feel like that wooden-legged piglet belonging to a sadistically sentimental family that could bear to eat him only a chunk at a time.” Except that cancer isn’t so … considerate.” MORE [Vanity Fair]
Thank you, Hitch, for making us think and rethink.
Thank you, Vanity Fair, for hosting Christopher Hitchens so regularly for us to read.
Jamie Dedes' THE POET BY DAY Webzine 