At last… a book!

I’m in the process of tweaking galleys for my new chapbook, This Pagan Heaven. Given the odd birthing of this book, it makes perfect sense that I’m still deciding on a title and (even at this stage) fine-tuning a couple of poems that may or may not make the final cut.

Factoids:

• Style: Contains both formal (meaning rhymed/metered) and free verse (meaning not rhymed/metered) poems.
• Publisher: Pecan Grove Press, Palmer Hall‘s marvelous small press that’s put out work by such fine writers as Ed Byrne, Vince Gotera, Pat Valdata, Gwyn McVay, Jim Cervantes, Colin Morton, Pat Fargnoli, Tom C. Hunley, Ryan G. Van Cleave, Ingrid Wendt, Helen Frost, John Oughton, John Gilgun, and many more.
• Previously published: Some poems have appeared in Able Muse, Texas Review, New Orleans Review, Texas Poetry Journal, Ellipsis, Maple Leaf Rag III (Portals Press) and Letters to the World: Poems from the WOM-PO Listserv (Red Hen). Some of these pieces also appeared on Verse Daily.
• Tentative availability: May 2009. I’ll be taking the month of May off to do readings, etc. We should have copies at the bookstore in time for West Chester this June.
• Long-distance supporters: I’ll gladly sign your book if you mail it to me with a SASE. New P.O. box forthcoming.
• Ordering: ISBN forthcoming. You have many options: amazon.com, directly from PGP using PayPal, telephone, or U.S. mail (here’s an order form), or by placing a special order with your favorite indie bookseller (in person, by phone, or online) via indiebound (formerly booksense).
• Interviews/reviews: I’m scheduling interviews now and will post a .PDF press release/factsheet/downloadable visuals on the book site (under construction) for your deadline-crashing convenience.
• Visiting writer gigs: I schedule these around my own teaching/doctoral duties. Honorarium negotiable. Especially eager to work with groups within a day’s drive of Atlanta. For anything farther: If you can get me there, I’ll be happy to visit!

Thanks to everyone who has already offered congratulations and inquired as to when they can buy the book. So many of you are poets whose work I admire and whose criticism I respect. Check back soon for updates!

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Jim Kemp, Welcome to the Blogosphere!

My dad, the incomparable Jim Kemp, has finally created a blog of his own. I’m jumping the gun by announcing Press Past, where I’m sure Dad’s cogent political analysis and half-century (yes) of Old School journalistic experience will inform, enlighten, and entertain you.

If you know me, you know that I’m my dad’s number-one fan. However, you must understand that his fans are legion. He has the respect and affection of countless people in the business and I’m sure they’ll be delighted to see him issuing his missives from retirement-land after a long silence.

My dad has always been a friend to women, minorities, students, and single parents in the business, long before it was fashionable or legally required, because it was the right thing to do. He is an endless source of hilarious tales–all true–that he tells like no one else can. He’s a good guy and a great dad/husband/grandpa. Check out his blog!

Katrina: The Untold Story

Was just poking around on YouTube and found this. That’s me balling. I still ball. A lot.When I’m not channeling Sally Struthers, I’m reading Chris Rose, Michael Tisserand, and all the rest of the New Orleans krewe. There’s a piece on Rose in the current CJR if you’re not familiar with his particular brand of genius.