…so much has occurred.
In late February/early March, we went to AWP and met so many of our contributors (Matt Rowan, Josh Denslow, Meghan Lamb, Russ Woods, Tom Nowak, Thomas Mundt, Courtney Cullinan Robb, Ayara Stein, J.A. Tyler, Molly Gaudry, Nate Pritts (who we already knew, but is always great to see), Anika Fajardo, and on and on) and we read with some of them, plus a group from home (Gillian Devereux, Shannon Derby, we’re looking at you here). We also met no fewer than a hundred absurdly nice people. And the books. Oh, the books. Next year, AWP will be in Boston and we will be there behind a table (likely with the fine editors of Anomalous Press).
In April, Literary Firsts turned two years old! I (Carissa) was so happy and proud of the series and the readers, especially Randolph, who was worried about reading, but then nailed it like I knew he would. Go watch the videos. Go watch all the videos. And then come to Middlesex Lounge on July 16 for the next reading because it’ll be a continuous incredible line of that which has already been incredible for more than two years.
A few weeks ago, Robin put a mini-comic together for MoCCA Art Fest called Shadowland. And, as one would expect, it’s just lovely. Check it out here (and, while you’re there, look at the new stuff she’s working on involving a hybrid of traditional illustration work and her shattered style).
Also, J.F. recently finished a new drawing–a 13′ drawing. It’s called The Distance between Memories, it’s larger than Randolph standing on my shoulders, and it’s beautiful. You can see it next weekend at Bushwick Open Studios.
And three of Randolph’s video poems were part of an event hosted by The Destroyer and Trickhouse!
And my novella, The Mere Weight of Words, is now available for pre-order! Order your copy today! While you’re waiting for it to arrive, watch the book trailer!
When you’re finished doing that, go read all the awesome weekly fiction at apt!
“Devereux’s choice of imagery has a rich, arresting quality to it…They Used To Dance On Saturday Nights paints an intriguing portrait of faded grandeur and decayed excitement. It is brief, bright and thoroughly readable.” — Christopher Frost, Neon Magazine
Read Christopher Frost’s entire review here. Afterward, buy your copy of They Used to Dance on Saturday Nights at the AP store.
It’s official. We’ve bought our passes. We’ll be in Chicago for AWP 2012. Also, we’re hosting a reading at Inner Town Pub on Thursday or Friday night.
Videos from the latest Literary Firsts reading are up!
Pushcart Prize nominees from the first print issue of apt have been announced!
J.F. Lynch was the first to write an apt comparison!
We are once again accepting online submissions for apt!
More great news is on the way–AWP news, apt V2: Issue 2 news, book news–just wait and see!
There’s less than a month left until submissions close for the second print issue of apt. Thereafter, we’ll be announcing submission guidelines for forthcoming online content (prose only and 1000 words or less!), but more news on that in October.
Speaking of October, the year’s final Literary Firsts is just around the corner, so be sure to join us at Middlesex Lounge on October 17 at 7pm when Catherine Parnell, Janaka Stucky, Danielle Dreilinger, and Elizabeth Gormley will wrap up 2011 with a bang.
We’ve got a ton of plans for 2012 though–our first appearance at AWP, the second print issue of apt, and announcements about our next book. This one prose? Wait and see, readers. Wait and see.
You might have missed Gillian Devereux reading from They Used to Dance on Saturday Nights at Lorem Ipsum Books last week. To make it up to yourself, why not buy a copy of Gillian’s book? Go on. You deserve it.
While you’re waiting for it to arrive, watch this video:
“They Used to Dance on Saturday Nights is…a punch in the gut. This small collection of poetry carries a spark of imagination in its throat, and reading the language is reminiscent of grit and fire igniting the page….the fantastical tone carries you to a Tom Waits style of readability that grabs your hair and makes you watch the story unfold. Nobody but him has made the carnival so sexy, raw, or appealing until now.” — Zach Fishel, Girls with Insurance
Read the full review here and be at Lorem Ipsum Books on August 25 for the release party!
The following list includes factual evidence we gleaned about you as soon as you landed on our site:
You want to go to a party at the end of August.
A bookish party.
A party where people will read to you.
A party where these people will read to you: Gillian Devereux. Carissa Halston. Vincent Scarpa.
August 25. 7pm. Lorem Ipsum Books. We’ll present They Used to Dance on Saturday Nights five hours before the rest of the literate public gets to see it.
Since you’re here, consider yourself invited.
Oh. And Randolph Pfaff is hosting. We figured you’d be into that.
You can now buy copies of Gillian Devereux’s forthcoming chapbook, They Used to Dance on Saturday Nights. Eight dollars (plus shipping) for all the carnival delights a sweltering summer demands.
Pre-orders will be mailed Friday, August 26.
Read an excerpt and buy the book here.