Since last we spoke…

…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!

AWP, apt submissions, and October’s Literary Firsts

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.