Ken Robidoux, Editor-in-Chief: July 2013
Welcome to Issue XI, Volume IV: July 2013 of Connotation Press: An Online Artifact.Summer has arrived and with it the July issue of Connotation Press. July marks our last formal issue for our publishing year, which runs from September through August. We publish bi-weekly 11 months of the year, and next month we'll take a look back at some of the highlights of this year's Volumn IV collection as we deliver our year-end retrospective issue.
July also marks the end of our time at our current location here in Morgantown, West Virginia. When I launched Connotation Press I had planned on relocating our office shortly after we went live, but time and life had other plans. And now, four years later and all the while managing this project from a 30 year old mobile home in an often times creepy trailer park, dripping from so much stereotype that if this were a story in a workshop you’d eviscerate it, we’re moving on up. Oh, hell yes!
I have to say, it’s been a delight publishing Connotation Press from a trailer park. After four years it still makes me giggle thinking about it. I was told years ago by artists I trust that the arts come from the ground up, and I guess we’re more proof of that truth. We've all had a fun if not goofy experience here, but it's time to move on. We’ll still be in West Virginia but the new office space and view are a monumental improvement. Onward & upward!
Next month, with our year-end issue, I’ll deliver our traditional state-of-the-journal blog post with stats and a summary of Volume IV, but for now let’s kick this pig and see what it’ll do!
A Poetry Congeries with John Hoppenthaler dips into translations and talent this month offering new work by, and an interview with, Philip Metres. Mr. Metres and Dimitri Psurtsev then translate the stunning work of the late Arseny Tarkovsky. From there John introduces new poetry by Lo Kwa Mei-en, William Trowbridge, Colin Cheney, Tara Betts, James Allen Hall, Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Sarah Freligh, and John W. Evans. We’ve got a full house in the Congeries this month all merging into one hell of a read. Welcome to the new contributors, and great job, John!
The Third Form, with Erica Goss looks at the collaborative aspect of video-poetry creation this month by focusing on some of the things poets, artists, and videographers bring to the table when creating a video-poem. Two teams of artist are visited, our own Nicelle Davis with Cheryl Gross, and Marilyn McCabe with Peter Vendini. Interesting takes on the process here, and good videos, too— very cool. Thanks, Erica!
Travel editor Nicholas Baker is proud to welcome Kyle Battisti back to the Discovered column for July. Fans of the travel column will undoubtedly remember Kyle’s take on Zanzibar that we ran in May, and this month Kyle takes us to Ethiopia. Yes! We are great fans of Kyle’s travel writing, and this month is no exception. In addition to the wonderful word-trip, we have another assortment of gorgeous pictures to go with the review. A BIG thanks to Kyle for visiting with us again, and great job on the column Nicholas!
Sure, there is a wine review as usual, but A Drinker with a Writing Problem writer John Turi goes home this month with a visit to the place that started it all for him: Morry’s of Naples in Long Beach, California. John tells the story of Morry’s and remembers the years he worked there and the vintage spirits they sold. Oh, and the wine reviewed this month, a 2010 Far Niente, Chardonnay, which John gave a 93. Enjoy!
Finally, our Fiction and Creative Nonfiction columns represent this month each with a talented featured artist. In Fiction, we welcome Ana Consuelo Matiella with her piece, La Madrina – The Godmother, and in Creative Nonfiction we welcome 17 year old, high school author Rachel Behling with her piece, Shall I Eat Now Or Never. And remember, our complete Poetry, Fiction, and Creative Nonfiction columns go live on the 15th of the month along with our Artisan Review and Book Review columns, so come on back and see us.
Until then, we’ll be loading up the wagon trains and getting’ this show on the road. Enjoy!
Connotation Press: Move 'em on, head 'em up Head 'em up, move 'em on Move 'em on, head 'em up Rawhide