Cat Russell Book Launch and Review

From the Akron Beacon Journal (3/20/2019):

Everyday life is the source for the poetry in Cat Russell’s collection Soul Picked Clean. The provocative title of her opening poem “Why I Can’t Tell You About My First Time” refers to her first library visit, which Russell can’t recall but which instilled in her a lifelong love of reading, leading to visits to high school and college libraries. The delicate “Urn” depicts the poet’s mother seated in her “tastefully decorated office” selecting a cloisonné urn to contain the ashes of her husband, to keep him close by.

“Panic” ably describes the uncontrollability of a panic attack and how it feeds on itself, and “Gathering” the prosaic childhood memory of Russell’s father and his friends relaxing poolside with beer and chips.

Some of the poems were previously published.

Soul Picked Clean (89 pages, softcover) costs $12 from Crisis Chronicles Press, 3431 George Ave., Parma 44134.

Cat Russell will be joined by Pittsburgh poets Jen Ashburn (The Light on the Wall) and Jason Irwin (A Blister of Stars) at 7 p.m. Saturday [3/30/2019] at Mac’s Backs, 1820 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights.

https://www.ohio.com/entertainmentlife/20190320/local-books-stories-of-world-war-ii-poetry-about-everyday-life-events-and-signings

Twelve books I've read in January 2015

Vending Machine: Poetry for Change, Volume 5 [2014, The Poet's Haven Press]
Double Life by Heather McNaugher [2014, NightBallet Press]
When I Pick Up My Wings from the Dry Cleaner by Lisa Cihlar [2014, Blue Light Press]
Where You Are by Jason Irwin [2014, NightBallet Press]
Unscathed by Jennifer Hambrick [2014, NightBallet Press]
Sister, Blood and Bone by Paula Cary [2013, Blood Pudding Press]
oh yes, this was earned: blood poems for non-violent lovers by Kate Sopko [2005, self published]
They Talk About Death by Alessandra Bava [2014, Blood Pudding Press]
Be Closer for My Burn by Robin Wyatt Dunn [2015, Crisis Chronicles Pres]
Men and Their Whims by Laura Madeline Wiseman [2013, Writing Knights Press]
Blink-Ink #18 edited by Doug Mathewson [2015, Blink Ink Print]
Rotations by Jake St. John [2015, NightBallet Press]

https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/2067883

Broadsided: Words Dance and Makes Her Mark

Blurry phone pic of my broadsides

Many thanks to Christopher Byck and 48th Street Press for publishing my poems "Words Dance" and "Makes Her Mark" as part of their 2014 broadside series.  Each was printed in a limited edition of 20. I need to send 2 copies of each back to the publisher, and I plan to keep 1 of each for myself.  I'll have the rest available tomorrow (6/14/14) in Pittsburgh for Words Dance in the NightBallet at Modern Formations gallery, where I'll have the pleasure and privilege of reading with some of my favorite poets, publishers and/or people, including John Dorsey, Dianne Borsenik, Amanda Oaks, Jason Irwin, Karen Lillis, Jason Baldinger, Nikki Allen and Heather McNaugher.   If you're anywhere near the area, I hope you'll stop by and say hi.

"Words Dance" and "Makes Her Mark" are two of thirty-one poems I wrote last October, which will also be appearing in the soon-to-be-published Oct Tongue -1, alongside poems by Mary Weems, John Swain, Steven Smith, Lady Smith, Shelley Chernin and Steve Brightman.  Crisis Chronicles plans to release that book in time for July's Mad Sing You II poetry/music festival in Cleveland.  (Stay tuned to this blog for more details.)

Words Dance in the NightBallet - June 14th in Pittsburgh

I'm super excited about reading with Dianne Borsenik, Amanda Oaks, John Dorsey, Nikki Allen, Heather McNaugher, Jason Irwin, Karen Lillis & Jason Baldinger this month at Modern Formations in Pittsburgh, hosted by Words Dance Publishing and NightBallet Press.

Click here for more details.