Ken Robidoux, Editor-in-Chief: November 2012
Welcome to Issue III, Volume IV: November 2012
The universe gifts me. I swear this is true.
Recently, I pleaded with a man, a poet in the truest sense of the word, to consider moving toward publication. He is the most innately talented wordsmith I have ever known, and I'm proud to say I've know quite a few, though I am embarrassed to admit I can hardly say I know him well. At various times over the years I've asked to publish his work because it is art of the highest order. I cannot stress that point enough, the highest order. It is glorious in that way revival singers make you believe glorious is a noun. I promised I would care for the work as if it were my hands or the pulse of my child.
Not long ago he sent me six ancient alabaster poems. His words are like the breath of a baby or God shuffling through a dream. And the rhythms! I read them alone in my office at midnight on a Thursday and had nothing short of a religious experience caused by one man, one pen, and a da Vinci-like divinity.
That's what great Poetry does to me. Through it, I am made free. I have the very best life, my friends. The very best one. And though no one like me could possibly deserve my life I'm sure as hell going to keep it. I was alone in the dark in the woods of West Virginia with glorious art that I knew would one day soon reach the world and begin to alter the order of the universe. This is a gift not lost on me and I am immersed in it. Amen. ♥
We'll be featuring this new and exciting artist soon, but for now, as tradition dictates, let's kick this pig and see what it'll do.
A Poetry Congeries with John Hoppenthaler launches with a tribute written by John for one of his first writing mentors, Anthony Piccione. This is a touching tribute not to be missed. From there John interviews Wendy Xu and delivers all new poetry by Ms Xu, Christopher Merrill, Joseph Bruchac, Laurie Kutchins, Horace, translated by David R. Slavitt, Kurt Brown, Lilah Hegnauer, James Haug, Mike Smith, and David B. Prather who writes a lovely poem to Cat Woman. HA! Another outstanding Congeries. Great job, John!
From Plate to Palate, with Amanda McGuire this month is all about a Connotation Press Thanksgiving! OK, maybe not exactly, but Amanda compiled a few short Thanksgiving memories and recipes from some of our editorial staff and we had a lot of fun putting it together. Dorky? Unabashedly, yes. But fun. Enjoy!
Travel diva extraordinaire Nicholas Baker takes us to the Greek island of Kefalonia in this month's Discover column-- yet another in a long and gorgeous list of places I'd rather be than here. Full of wonderful narrative and description, stunning pictures, and of course Freddy & friends, if you're anything like me Kefalonia Discovered will inspire you to start packing. Another wonderful escape, Mr. Baker. Thanks!
Drama editor Kathleen Dennehy brings us a strong one act play by newcomer Francis DiClemente: Sanctuary. As we have done since past editor Joshua Fardon first developed this column, we've got the play and an interview with the writer and we encourage you to enjoy it. Truth is, not a lot of magazines run a play & playwright interview monthly year round, but Kathleen gracefully continues with our tradition of bringing you the very best and brightest established and emerging authors. Enjoy! Welcome Francis and thank you Kathleen.
Erica Goss, editor of our video poem column The Third Form has just returned from the Zebra festival in Germany and she's got Part One of a wonderful breakdown of the event. Lots of video-poetry news, links, and videos to peruse as we continue to learn more and more about this fantastic new joining of forms. Exceptionally well done, Erica. Thanks!
Our Book Review editor Stephanie Brown is taking some much earned and needed personal time, and our hearts and hopes go out to her and her family. Until she returns, we're running a number of reviews I've solicited from friends. The first is from return reviewer Andi Stout. Andi looks at The Fourteenth Colony, by our friend & contributor Jason T. Lewis. Set in West Virginia, so you know we're a little biased here, The Fourteenth Colony is a wonderful novel that is accompanied by a CD of terrific songs Jason wrote to go with the book. We've got Ms. Stout's review and a slide-show video of two of the songs from the CD and some pictures of Jason that I took at an event last year in West Virginia. Don't miss this terrific post. Thanks to Ms. Stout for the short-notice review, and to Jason for his patience and generous contribution.
Finally, our teasers for the coming mid-month post are Gloria Garfunkel from our Fiction department, and B.H. James from Creative Nonfiction. You're going to love this stuff. We feature these artists because they're brilliant, of course, and to remind you to come back on the 15th of the month for new Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Wine Review and more. Thanks to Fiction editor Meg Tuite, and Creative Nonfiction Robert Clark Young for all they do.
That about sums up the November 1st issue. I hope you love it as much as we love bringing it to you.
Connotation Press: Grateful
This issue of Connotation Press is dedicated to all those whose lives have been affected by Hurricane Sandy. If you are in a financially comfortable place there are good people that have been devastated and need your help. We encourage you to donate just a small portion of what you're considering giving as gifts for the upcoming holidays to assist with the gargantuan effort that it will take to help these folks get their lives back. Follow this link to the American Red Cross and make your donation count.
