So I’ve mentioned this elsewhere, but I have finished a poetry project about the Beatniks, the perils of the canon, and how to critically appreciate authors. It’s called kill ur heroes: an ode to objectivity. Well, I sent my manuscript to Button Poetry (who are well known for their spoken poetry and publishing poets like Phil Kaye, Rudy Francisco, and others) for their chapbook contest! While I did not get a finalist position, I got something just as amazing: SEMIFINALIST PLUS praise for my work (and an invitation to submit for the 2024 poetry contest). Honestly, I saw the email on my way to get lunch and I was so ecstatic, I’m not joking.
I put into the world that I wanted 2024 to be my year poetry wise and it has. I’ve been published in two anthologies, including one by local powerhouse Moonstone Arts Center, got my first full length under contract at Wild Ink Publishing—and also met a lot of amazing authors, albeit virtually for now—and also got interviewed for a podcast (its about reading, but if any podcast folks want me to talk about poetry or libraries or disability justice or baseball or hockey or think it’s interesting to me, you can send an email my way/dm me.) And that’s up until May. I hope to get more amazing opportunities in the months to come. 2023 was just the refresher, 2024 has been amazing. A shoutout to all who are subscribed here and who have been
Anyway, I did email the two presses where my manuscript is in progress about it, but if anyone has any poetry press recommendations that are open for chapbook submissions, let me know. I want to get a chapbook out this year to build as much hype as possible for my full length. Oh and for those who have subscribed after seeing my interview with Bryn Mawr (my undergrad school), welcome! I have some pieces planned, including a three-parter about Laurence Fox, some stuff about baseball and hockey, and, again, whatever else strikes my fancy. Stay tuned for more fun pieces.