Posts Tagged ‘Light Horror’
So it’d been the one of the small patch of poems I’d sent that THE RYDER had accepted for its 2024 Special Poetry Issue (cf. May 9, February 20). But due to the untimely death of RYDER editor/publisher Peter LoPilato, the issue has since been put in limbo: maybe to still be published as a revival issue, maybe not.
But poems, as life, go on.
Enter Jimmy Broccoli, earlier this month: Beginning today, I will be accepting poetry submissions for my 4th (and final) poetry anthology, FALLEN. Guidelines and all details are below. And the details were many, and complicated, including that the book might be divided in two parts in a sort of strange way. Also that there would be no pay (but then THE RYDER wasn’t going to pay poets either), but the book’s profits would go to charity, notably for the care of the animals and upkeep of the facility at Full Circle Farm Sanctuary. So why not send three poems (the limit allowed for a submission, though generally only one would be chosen) and, on the theory that a publication in hand is worth two in the bush, include as one of them the poem that had been accepted for THE RYDER?
The poem: “Scientific Method,” an elaboration on a class of poems from late Victorian times (cf., again, February 20) about a naughty boy named Little Willie and disasters that he suffers, to the utter indifference (or citation of a clichéd moral principle) of the poem’s narrator. And, as some may be guessing by now, it is both the poem that had been to be in THE RYDER, and that was chosen yesterday evening to be published in FALLEN instead: Your poem SCIENTIFIC METHOD has been accepted into the “Fallen Angel” version of “Fallen.”
Originally, the two versions were going to be identical (contain the same poems) — but I’ve decided they will contain different poems (completely).
The anthology is scheduled to be released in late August 2024.
Due to the untimely passing of RYDER founder and director Peter LoPilato, the time for a planned April Poetry Issue had come and gone, though there still is some hope for a near-future revival. But poetry is an impatient mistress, and so the May Bloomington Writers Guild “Second Thursday Spoken Word” (cf. April 11, et al.), dedicated to Peter LoPilato’s memory, was set to be a festival of the poems that were to have appeared in that issue.
Thus deviating from the usual pattern, after opening music by neighboring Brown County singer/guitarist Chris Barth, MC Tony Brewer read an introducing piece about Peter LoPilato, then, explaining that perhaps a better event description would be “a sampling of pieces that were to be in THE RYDER,” several poets being from out of town or otherwise unavailable to read that night, we heard the first of two groupings of poets. Then came another musical interlude/intermission, after which those of the second group read for a total of about twenty presentations in all, to an audience of around the same number, followed by a final musical selection.
For myself, I was in the second grouping, third poet from the end, with a single poem (as was the case for a majority of the other poets as well). Starting with a brief explanation of the nature of what I’d be reading, a poem informed by an at the time popular group of early twentieth century poems called “Little Willies” (see also February 20), I concluded with an 18-line entry about the Christmas gift of a chemistry set, “Scientific Method,” “hopefully informed by the spirit” of the example I’d just read.
I thought the two shadormas were fun, though perhaps in context a little didactic. Eg., “What’s a Shadorma?” And “Pas De Dead” was a nice little poem, but zombies are so passé in these modern days.
The one that shone, though, was a lengthened variation on a “Little Willie,” poems introduced in the early 1900s about a naughty Victorian boy and how he comes to grief — a moral message thus delivered but nobody else in the poem much cares (at least about such things as death or maimings). Example:
Willie on the railroad track
didn’t hear the whistle’s squeal,
now the engine’s coming back,
they’re scraping Willie off the wheel.
And so this, a Christmas poem actually and at a whopping 18 lines, “Scientific Method,” about Willie’s adventures with a just received chemistry set. And today the reply from the Writers Guild’s Tony Brewer wearing his RYDER guest-editor’s hat: Hi, James, thanks so much once again for submitting. I would like to include “Scientific Method” in the issue. Could you send me a bio when you have a minute?
The street date for the issue will be around April 19 and it will be available online shortly after that. There will be a showcase reading of poets published in the issue on Thur May 9 here in Bloomington. Let me know if you think you can make it. Thanks again.
The magazine in question, THE BLOOMINGTON RYDER and its annual Poetry Issue, in which I had some poems last year as well (cf. May 3 2023, et al. — although more recently in the news here too with their fiction edition in December). And so once again, while with only one poem, but one I think people may especially enjoy.
My return, that is, having had a scheduling conflict last month and missing the June Bloomington Writers Guild’s First Wednesday Spoken Word (cf. May 3, et al.). But this month I was back! And I shared in an especially enjoyable July 5 session at Backspace Gallery downtown.
And that’s even including the sudden rainstorm that trapped us inside for an extra fifteen or so minutes after.
But back to the event, the musical interludes featured guitarist Jason Fickel who introduced us to several distinct styles — e.g. slide guitar, steel guitar, blues. . . — bracketing poet Terry Sloan with sometimes science-based, philosophical, witty, often satirical pieces (as an example, one crowd-favorite titled “On the Failed Attempt of Evil Knieval to Leap the Yawning Chasm of Non-Existence”), accompanied by projected collage/illustrations by Jon Vickers (perhaps best known locally as founding director of the IU Cinema), and followed by writer, director, and audio producer Brian Price with excerpts from two recent books (“of short fiction, monologues, and poetry,” to quote the blurb), THE WRONG SIDE OF THE RIVER AND OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST (2022) and THE OLD CART WRANGLER, THE NEW SILENCE, AND OTHER NOTIONS (2020).
Then, after a break, came the “Open Mic” section with four walk-on readers of which I was second, continuing my five-part “Casket Suite” tale sequence on the New Orleanian filles à les caissettes who brought vampirism to the New World. Tonight’s was part three, “Reflections,” in which the glamor girl of the group, Lo, explains why the superstition that vampires can’t see themselves in mirrors is, of necessity, false.
The Bloomington Writers Guild’s First Wednesday Spoken Word usurped for a “RYDER MAGAZINE Poetry Issue Showcase” (cf. April 18, February 28)? Well, not really insofar as reading poetry comes legitimately under the “spoken word.” And it could be all poetry for other reasons too, e.g. that on a particular Wednesday poetry was all they got.
But this is special. And if celebrations end up translating to more readers for the magazine (hint: To see an electronic edition press here, but paper copies are free as well at various kiosks locally), why not? The more the better. And for the poets, also, it’s one more opportunity to introduce one’s work to the public.
And so, okay, I’ve got work in THE RYDER too — three poems in total: “Existential Vamp” (the philosophic), “Let’s All Go to the Movies” (nostalgic), and “Last, Shoemaker Stick To” (surreal). So I, too, was in line in what functionally was a giant-size “open mic,” only lacking a formal, invited readers session first. Or maybe, rather, the “price” being no more than having poems there, we were all invited.
Or maybe who cares? A lot of us read to, at a tad over thirty attendees at peak, a reasonably hefty crowd at downtown Bloomington’s Backspace Gallery and that may be celebration enough!
I don’t write very much poetry these days, concentrating the time I have on prose. I don’t get to too many Writers Guild just-poetry programs. But I do get to some.
I don’t publish too much poetry either these days, as would follow. But, again, there’s some. A case in point, Sunday I heard via Facebook that the new April-May THE RYDER — a local arts and commentary magazine — was out. And with it, presumably, some poems by me (cf. February 28, below).
Some may remember: The last time I announced new poetry here was in summer last year, also in THE RYDER (see July 12, June 13 2022). As is my wont, these were on horror/dark fantasy subjects, one concerning zombies, “Don’t Always Believe Everything You Hear,” and a second, “The Vampiress’ Soliloquy,” on — guess what — a vampire. While this year the word was I might have three, albeit with all three a little bit shorter, though (with lots of local poets being showcased, but in limited space) perhaps only two. Though I gave some broad hints, with my acceptance of the acceptance, that I would much prefer it be all three.
So, good news!, it is three, though each standing alone, separated from its mates by two or three pages, but that’s okay with me. I’ve not gotten a print copy of it yet either, but I have seen the electronic edition which you may, too, by pressing here. (Go ahead, give it a try. You may like it.) But be prepared to do LOTS of scrolling; as with last year’s appearance, the poetry feature is way at the back.
So a quick guide here: three poems on three pages. Starting on page 53 with a nostalgic 13-liner, perhaps the weakest but also the most “mainstream” of the entries, “Let’s All Go to The Movies.” This is followed by maybe my personal favorite, the most intellectual — or was that “absurd”? — of the three, “Last, Shoemaker Stick To,” on page 56. Then the most philosophic to bring up the rear on page 59, the last page in the section, “Existential Vamp.”
And one more note. Plans are afoot from editor/contact Tony Brewer to have a mass reading on Wednesday, May 3, at the Bloomington Writers Guild’s First Wednesday Spoken Word, 6 p.m. at the Backspace Gallery downtown.
See you all there?
Lots of numbers, 4 and 3 Monday, now 2 and another 3. But if course different contexts. So for today’s, let us take the wayback machine to summer last year, with the publishing of two poems by me — “Don’t Always Believe Everything You Read” and “The Vampiress’ Soliloquy” — in local Bloomington magazine THE RYDER (see July 12, June 13 2022, et al.).
It seems that THE RYDER is at it again.
It actually started in late December when, answering an e-call by the Bloomington Writers Guild’s Tony Brewer, I sent three poems for a planned 2023 THE RYDER Poetry issue for the coming spring, “Existential Vamp,” “Let’s All Go to the Movies,” and “Last, Shoemaker Stick To.” That is to say, to cover philosophy, nostalgia, and Olde Maxims (or, maybe, logic-based mayhem), respectively. Until finally, today, the decision arrived: Hi, James, thanks again for submitting. I would like to include all three poems in the issue — they are short enough together I think we can make it work, although I may need to drop one for space. So. . . three poems or two?
Well a sale’s a sale (although this one is for glory, not money, but it is a local publication), but I do greatly hope all three get printed. Unlike last year’s two poems on “familiar” monsters (a zombie for the first, a vampire for second), these three poems are purposely widely divergent — which in itself defines a pattern — whereas with two the selection, whichever chosen, would seem (and in this case in fact would be) just random. That is, if asked myself, I would have no means to make a choice — but as Tony notes they are purposely on the short side too. So hopefully there won’t be any problem.
In any event we should find out together, at least those of us local, in just a few months. As the email concludes, [t]he issue should be on the street by the end of April. There will be a showcase reading of poets in the Ryder poetry issue on Wed May 3 at 6 pm at Backspace Gallery on the square. Let me know if you can make that. Thanks again.
We may recall an April local poetry issue of local magazine THE RYDER that got postponed to June to make way for a special Ukraine edition, along with a reading morphed into a more general one in April (see March 19, 3). Well, June is here and, per email today from Writers Guild coordinator Tony Brewer: It’s on the street! If you haven’t picked up a copy yet, it is out there at the usual Ryder locations around Bloomington. With trembling fingers, I clicked the link to the electronic edition (which you may see too by pressing here) — poems galore! — and began to scroll through them to check out the two of mine that should be there. . . .
. . . and scrolled . . . and scrolled . . .
I remembered, there was one thing the email mentioned, almost in passing. I wanted to note, due to a printing error 3 poets were omitted from the issue but we’re working on printing them in the next issue.
. . . and scrolled. And scrolled. . . .
Forty-three poems I scrolled through, by rough count from the print issue I picked up later. And scrolled . . . and . . . wait! There they were! Tucked in at the very, very end (page 46 in the print edition, just before the inner back cover), poems number 44 and 45, “Don’t Always Believe Everything You Read” (sage advice from a zombie, perhaps all the more salient given the politics of today, although specifically about New Hampshire’s state motto) and “The Vampiress’ Soliloquy” (a biting satire — sorry, couldn’t resist — in Shakespearian language). By me!
And one more item, about a promised reading at Morgenstern Books by the poets, details may be announced later this week (so stay tuned to these pages. . . .).
Then a quick change of subject: June marking the start of summer, a royalty report arrived today of which, by custom to avoid embarrassment to the publisher and/or me, I give no details. Be assured, though, it was a positive if compact amount.
Time marches on. We may recall from earlier this month (cf. March 3), [t]he Ryder Magazine and Film Series is once again partnering with the Writers Guild at Bloomington, this time for a special poetry issue of the magazine. The street date of the print issue will be April – National Poetry Month – the the poems will be available in the online edition as well. Poems will be selected by Tony Brewer. So went the call and, about a month later the result of my submission, that two of three poems I’d sent had been accepted, the issue to be published April 18, with a public reading as well five days later, on the 23rd.
But world events happen and word came today: The poetry issue has been postponed until June. The reason, to free the RYDER to publish a special issue on Ukraine. But the message continued. Regardless, there still will be a reading Saturday, April 23 at 4pm at the polar bear sculptures in front of MCPL. Everyone in the issue is welcome to read a poem and there will be a couple of special guests. This event is co-sponsored by MCPL and they are providing everything: a PA, chairs, and snacks. And not only that, but a second reading has been suggested for Morgenstern’s Books sometime in June specifically to launch the issue.
Thus both poems will still be published albeit two months late, and one at least still to be read in April, which gives a choice. Which do readers prefer: vampires or zombies? The zombie poem is a wise-guy retort to the New Hampshire state motto, “Live Free or Die,” titled “Don’t Always Believe Everything You Read.” Perhaps sound advice for this time in history. While the other, titled “The Vampiress’ Soliloquy,” is a fun fantasy romp through Shakespeare.
In any event, the one not read in April (assuming only one poem to a reader) will probably be the one I’ll read in June, more details on which to be here when they’re known.
This comes a bit late — mea culpa — concerning an email Tuesday evening, March 1, from the Bloomington Writers Guild’s Tony Brewer: Hi, James. Thanks so much for your submission.
I’d like to run “Don’t Always Believe Everything You’ve Heard” and “Vampiress’ Soliloquy.”
The note went on to cite a release date of April 18, and a possible reading on the 23rd. Of what? Of poetry, in this case for local community magazine, THE RYDER.
So I don’t write as much poetry now as in the past, putting more effort into short fiction, and my marketing is practically non-existent. But this notice had come up in mid January: Publication possibility — calling all poets and sometimes-poets
THE RYDER MAGAZINE
SPECIAL POETRY ISSUE
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
The Ryder Magazine and Film Series is once again partnering with the Writers Guild at Bloomington, this time for a special poetry issue of the magazine. The street date of the print issue will be April – National Poetry Month – the the poems will be available in the online edition as well. Poems will be selected by Tony Brewer.
If not writing much, but marketing less, that means I do have an expanding poetry backlog so why not? Yes? The call was for up to three poems, up to 50 lines each, and reprints were okay so I sent two new ones and — why not? — a sort of favorite as a reprint, “Godzilla Vs. King Kong.” And, not entirely unexpectedly, the fight poem proved to be the pug — the punched-out boxer put into a prize fight to build up wins for a new up-and-comer — with the new ones triumphing. These are both sort of sassy, satirical mid-length efforts, “Don’t Always Believe. . .” an examination of the New Hampshire state motto, “Live Free or Die,” from the point of view of a zombie and “The Vampiress’ Soliloquy” a Shakespearean mashup.
Say what?
Check back next month and we’ll find out together.
jamesdorrwriter 