Poets Wear Prada is a poetry publishing house with excellent poets and affordable books with beautiful covers. Have you had your poetry today?--Meredith Sue Willis, Books for Readers * * * Stylistically, these beautifully designed and produced chapbooks bear their own distinctive signature.--Linda Lerner, SMALL PRESS REVIEW

Friday, July 30, 2010

Read Linda Lerner's Poem, "Terrible Beauty" for New Verse News, July 26



Read Linda Lerner's Poem, "Terrible Beauty" for New Verse News for July 26

http://newversenews.blogspot.com/2010/07/terrible-beauty.html

FOR LINCOLN & OTHER POEMS by Austin Alexis: Pick of the Month, May-June by Small Press Review


"For Lincoln & Other Poems" by Austin Alexis was the May - June pick of the month by Small Press Review. You must be a subscriber to log in at:

http://spr.dustbooks.com/

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Ho Ho Holy cow this is really early - save 20% off all week

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Read George Held’s Lefty Marriage Dispute In Congress on Infauxtainment.com


LEFTY MARRIAGE DISPUTE IN CONGRESS

By George Held


Washington (INS). The Senate Committee on Subversive Activities has brought lefthanded marriage into play in an effort to stop a bill legalizing gay marriage. Arguing that no one is more suspect or queer than lefties, Sen. John Kyl (R-OK) introduced his bill to criminalize marriage between two lefthanders.

“If we are going to even debate the issue of unnatural practices,” the Senator told the committee in session, “we need to start with lefties. They may be only 11% of the population, but they include 38% of the troublemakers,” he said, flourishing a new report from the Gingrich Institute, which outs lefties including Harry Truman, Bill Clinton, and Babe Ruth.



“At least, these rabble-rousers had the decency to wed righthanded women,” the Senator continued. “But can you imagine the potential damage to society if Hillary Clinton was also a lefty?”

“Marriage is an institution reserved for the union of not only a man and a woman but of one righthander with another–or at least between a righty and a lefty.”


Kyl said that gay marriage is more problematic than lefthanded marriage, because gays could pass as straight in some cases. “But lefties,” the Senator opined, “can always be detected by their illegible handwriting or the crazy way they hold their pens or by the way they struggle to use a scissors or to walk and chew gum at the same time. At least Gerry Ford married a righty—Betty Ford used to down her shots with her right hand.”

At press time, Senators were too concerned with policing the lefthandedness in their own families to debate Sen. Kyl’s bill.

About George Held


http://infauxtainment.com/?p=5909

Monday, July 26, 2010

Book Trailer: GATHERED AT HER SKY by Tantra-zawadi



GATHERED AT HER SKY: Life Poems by Tantra-zawadi by is available online at Amazon.com, CreateSpace.com and Lulu.com. ISBN: 978-0-9841844-6-0, Paperback: 42 pp., Price: $12.00, Publisher: Poets Wear Prada. Partial proceeds from the book will be donated to Girl Child Network.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

JOEL ALLEGRETTI on Word for Word Poetry, July 13

Jason Schneiderman on Word for Word Poetry, July 13

http://blog.bryantpark.org/2010/07/word-for-word-poetry-blogs_19.html

Paul Romero started the reading by saying that there was no theme for the evening’s reading, but of course, a connective tissue emerged. On a formal level, the poets were all narrative (as contrasted to Mark Bibbins & Jean Valentine, from the previous week), focusing on meditations and biography. They all work with language as a transparent medium, while carefully shaping it (but never to reveal the shaping). On a thematic level, the poets were deeply concerned with desire and violence, the ways that a body can be wanted, hurt, and soothed. They explored the desires and disruptions of their own bodies, celebrity bodies, and the bodies of loved ones. As Paul introduced each reader, it became clearer and clearer that the themes of the evening were emerging of their own accord.

Joel Allegretti started the evening, flawlessly reciting poems from memory, starting with a translation. His poems often focused on pop culture divas; Yoko Ono and Nico made early appearances. Allegretti’s latest collection Thrum (Poets Wear Prada Press) is comprised of poems about stringed instruments, though Buffy Sainte Marie kept his poems diva-centric as he read about her performing with a mouth bow (definitely worth checking out on Youtube). Even Eurydice took a star turn, being cast as Greta Garbo’s predecessor and regally pronouncing “I want to be alone.” Allegretti ended with an elegy for his mother (every man’s first diva?), using the dolphin and the butterfly as images to bring the two back together.


Timothy Liu began by announcing that he is about to celebrate 18 years with his partner. He read mostly new poems. In his poems, Liu often breaks down decorum, allowing the physical to lay alongside the emotional in unusual ways. There’s often a mystery at the center of his poems. Whereas the physical usually dissipates the mysterious (as in pornography, where nothing is left to the imagination), in Liu’s poems, physicality neither demystifies nor explains. One short poem: “Every vow I kept/ for seventeen years/ I wanted to break / until I slipped my finger / inside of you.” Knowing that he and his partner have been together for eighteen years suggests that these are marriage vows, while also suggesting that the “you” is his partner. But these ideas both slip away with that finger’s entrance. Where it goes, into whom, what the vows are, why those vows are no longer regretted--these are all satisfying kept out of the poem. A particularly tender poem depicted his elderly father discussing hand holding as they held hands, the softness of each other completing with affection their long isolated bodies. But Liu’s poems often challenge the sentimentality that a love poem can offer: “What need do I have for the mirror you smashed/ when I have your fist to look on.”

Jeffrey McDaniel was quite funny, though his humor was carefully calibrated against dire concerns and tragic tones. With poems like “Eliot Spitzer Contemplates Fate” and “The Cuckold’s Survival Manual,” McDaniel made the audience laugh before swerving into darker territory. Many of his poems seemed to be about a failure to connect, about desires that isolated or frustrated the speaker. In one of the longer poems, McDaniel told the history of his body’s evocation of desire in men, from his adolescent years to the present. In ironic circumlocutions, he apologized for his inability to satisfy the desire he provoked, while his explicit refusal to judge them (especially the ones out trolling for high schoolers) came with it’s own indictment. This poem resonated perfectly against the Cuckold poems, in which the speaker’s wife is pleasured in great detail. In both poems, the speaker remains humiliatingly proximate to desire. In one case he is unpleasantly called to a pleasure that is not his own; in the other he is excluded from a pleasure that is rightfully his. His last poem was an elegy for a childhood friend.


Jacob Scheier was the softest spoken of the group. The Toronto based poet’s quiet voice pulled in the audience as he read poems about New York, his previous home. One poem lamented how New York can never live up to its life in the movies—how life has to continue in it’s messiness, while a movie about New York can close itself tidily. The poems deftly wove together strands of personal, familial, and political history. One poem about the sexual abuse of his mother ranged over the family’s Communist commitments and the various ways that the abuse was justified, including red-baiting. Scheier worked to inhabit his mother’s voice, a way of bringing back a woman who died in 2000. It closed out his own reading perfectly, and brought the evening to a close, letting his elegy resonate against Allegretti’s.


Jason Schneiderman is the author of Sublimation Point (Four Way Books) and Striking Surface (Ashland Poetry Press). His poetry and essays have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies including American Poetry Review, The Best American Poetry, Grand Street, Bloom, Court Green, The Penguin Book of the Sonnet, The Story Quarterly, the Virginia Quarterly Review and Tin House among other publications. Jason has received fellowships from Yaddo, The Fine Arts Work Center, and The Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference. He was the recipient of the Emily Dickinson Award from The Poetry Society in 2004. A graduate of the MFA program at NYU, he is currently completing his doctorate at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.
Posted by Bryant Park at 2:49 PM
Labels: bryant park reading room events, guest bloggers, jason schneiderman, word for word poetry blogs
* * *

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Gathered At Her Sky by Tantra-zawadi

Gathered at Her Sky, a Celebration of Life, Black Love and Humanity: Award-Winning Poet/Artist/Filmmaker from Brooklyn Has New Book


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Patricia Carragon
917 679 5002
pcarragon@gmail.com

GATHERED AT HER SKY, A CELEBRATION OF LIFE, BLACK LOVE AND HUMANITY

Award-Winning Poet/Artist/Filmmaker from Brooklyn Has New Book

Hoboken, NJ (July 20, 2010) Poets Wear Prada is pleased to announce the release of Gathered at Her Sky: Life Poems by Tantra-zawadi. Her ten “life poems” speak of “global consciousness and ambassadorship ... every line reminds us of the connection we have to one another in the race to win,” says Tshombe Sekou Harris, founder/host of Freedom Verse CafĂ©.

Betty Makoni, founder of the Girl Child Network and a 2009 Top Ten CNN Hero, describes author Tantra-zawadi as “one of the finest and greatest female poets who undoubtedly has ushered in a new era and genre that will take the 21st century into one where humanity will move forward. She rejuvenates the weak mind, shakes and moves hard hearts. If one wants the power of poetry, then Tantra’s is the holistic package.”

Tantra-zawadi’s powerful poetry brings lyrical compassion into activism as well as the power of healing. Bruce George, Co-Founder of Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam says “Tantra's writing oozes with the passion of Neruda and the sensitivity of Sonia.” In her poem “Girl,” Tantra writes: “Out-sharpening my enemies/With what Eve knew in Adam” and “The toxic release of traitors/Running like thieves/From territories/Destined for greatness.” She exposes the pain endured by women of color, both past and present: genital mutilation, rape, AIDS, apartheid, domestic violence, racial discrimination and sexism. And how they must rise above these obstacles, stronger and healed through self-awareness and dignity. “Girl,” an except taken from the stage production of the same name, first appeared in Poetry in Purple published in conjunction with Downstate Medical Center’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October 2006) and will be included on her forthcoming CD Lifewatcher.

Tantra-zawadi is her poem “Black Love.” She is a freedom fighter, lover, universal consciousness and doctor of humanity. Feel her sensuality and strength dance and sing on each page. She’s a true storyteller from start to finish. Read her words, enjoy and rejoice!

Gathered at Her Sky is available online at Amazon.com, CreateSpace.com and Lulu.com. ISBN: 978-0-9841844-6-0, Paperback: 42 pp., Price: $12.00, Publisher: Poets Wear Prada. Partial proceeds from the book will be donated to Girl Child Network.

About Tantra-Zawadi

An award winning poet/artist/filmmaker from Brooklyn, New York, Tantra has performed to standing-room audiences in the USA, London, Germany and Toronto. She has performed original works in off-Broadway productions including Soldier Blues, and her one-woman performance piece, Girl: A Choreospective. She is known for being on the cutting edge as an artist regarding issues such as HIV and AIDS awareness. Tantra’s poem and video, “Scarlet Waters,” was featured on the Product (RED) video wall to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS in Africa and her short documentary, A Silent Genocide ~ A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS edited by Oliver Covrett, takes another look at the personal impact of the disease. Visit Tantra online at: www.tantra-zawadi.com www.facebook.com/tantrazawadi www.myspace.com/tantrais www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi.

About Poets Wear Prada

PWP is a small press based in Hoboken, New Jersey, devoted to introducing new authors through high-quality chapbooks primarily of poetry, since October 2006. Please visit us online at http://pwpbooks.blogspot.com/.

Have you had your poetry today?

POETS WEAR PRADA
533 Bloomfield St., 2nd fl., Hoboken, N.J. 07030 | 201 795 3810 | http://pwpbooks.blogspot.com/|

###

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Peter Chelnik's "Prairie Fire Jazz Poetry" Sun, Aug 8 at 6 p.m.

Next Prairie Fire Reading Sunday August 8

SUNDAY 8/8 - 6pm (sign up 5:30pm)

Peter Chelnik's "Prairie Fire Jazz Poetry"

~features~

Brant Lyon (poet/jazz keyboard)

&

Ronnie Norpel (poet/writer)


&

Bob Feldman (sax)


&

Host PETER CHELNIK (poetry)

&

The Open Mic

@
AMERICAN THEATRE OF ACTORS
314 W. 54th St. (bet. 8th & 9th Aves.)
Hell's Kitchen, NYC 10019
Beckman Theater 2nd Floor
(212) 581-3044
www.appleboxdesign.com/ATA/ata.html


By Subway: C or E to West 50th Street
Walk north to West 54th Street, west to theatre


Admission: $5

Brant Lyon writes poetry, prose, and music. His anthologies include “A Cautionary Tale: Seven New York Performing Poets” (Uphook Press, 2008), Beauty Keeps Laying Its Sharp Knife Against Me” (Logochrysalis Productions, 2008), “The Company We Keep” (Poet Warrior Productions, 2003). His journals include Big City Lit, Lullwater Review, Rattle, Rogue Scholars. He is an editor of Uphook Press, contributing editor of BigCityLit, and curator of the poetry and music reading series, Hydrogen Jukebox, in NYC. For more information, go to logochrysalis.com.


Ronnie Norpel is a performance poet, actor, photographer and jock with a deep passion for the Phillies, where she spent seven seasons as a ballgirl and fan accommodation manager. In New York, “Ronnie G” was the muse and collaborator of Warhol Factory superstar Gerard Malanga, whose phot of Ronnie, “Marble of Light,” was included for the exhibition and catalogue, Artists of the Warhol Circle Then & Now. She studied acting in Hollywood and worked at the Zero One Gallery. Today, Ronnie reads monthly in NYC with the Upper Left Side Writers and Poets. Other readings include the Lower East Side Festival, the SynonymUS collective at Nuyorican Poets CafĂ©, and the Wild Angels at St. John the Divine.

From John J.Trause...


Dear Family & Friends,


Please join us at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, N. J. on FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2010, 7:30 P. M. for a panel discussion on translation. I am one of the panelists, and this promises to be a spirited discussion. Here is the information from the website:




Writing Matters: A dialogue on the craft & business of words

In Other Words: A Conversation About Translation

Friday July 30th at 7:30pm

If you're interested in the challenge of rendering words from one language to another, come hear our panelists discuss their approach. This month we feature the poets Jessica de Koninck, Mark Statman, John J. Trause, and the novelist Alexis Romay.



Seats have been tight at this exciting series. Come early and browse--we look forward to seeing you there.



Writing Matters is a series that seeks to do something a little different from a typical author's reading or signing....establish a conversation between writers and readers during this changing time in publishing. Events are characterized by substantive give and take, informal chat, refreshments and fun!



54 Fairfield Street
Watchung Plaza
Montclair, NJ 07042
973.744.7177


www.watchungbooksellers.com


Love & Peace,


JOHN

15% Off OUTSIDE GIRL at LULU with Coupon Code: BEACHREAD305

Date: Wednesday, July 21, 2010, 3:20 PM


Lulu.com
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15% off Outside Girl
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Disclaimer: Use coupon code BEACHREAD305 at checkout and receive 15% off Outside Girl. Maximum savings with this promotion is $10. You can only use the code once per account, and you can't use this coupon in combination with other coupon codes. This great offer ends on August 15, 2010 at 11:59 PM so try not to procrastinate! While very unlikely we do reserve the right to change or revoke this offer at anytime, and of course we cannot offer this coupon where it is against the law to do so.
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GATHERED AT HER SKY Now Available at Greenlight Bookstore



Gathered at Her Sky 
Life Poems by Tantra-zawadi
ISBN 978-0-9841844-6-0
Paperback: 42 pages
Poets Wear Prada, June 2010
$12.00

~Now Available at Your Local Bookseller~

Greenlight Bookstore
686 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(between Ashland Pl & St Felix St)
Hours: 10 AM - 10 PM Every Day
http://abookstoreinbrooklyn.blogspot.com/
Proprietors: Jessica Stockton Bagnulo & Rebecca Fitting



Tantra's writing oozes with the passion of Neruda and the sensitivity of Sonia. Her words can warm the coldest of hearts.
Bruce George
Co-Founder of Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam

THRUM by Joel Allegretti Now Available at Kinokuniya Bookstore



THRUM
Poems by Joel Allegretti
ISBN 978-0-9841844-4-6
Paperback: 38 pages
Poets Wear Prada, March 2010
$12.00

~Now Available at Your Local Bookseller~


Kinokuniya Bookstore at Bryant Park
1073 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10018
(Between West 40th & 42nd Streets)
Phone: (212) 869-1700

In THRUM Joel Allegretti, deftly and delightfully, strums his magical musical instrument, which is poetry, as he forges fresh forms of songs and stories that are inspired by strummers' strings. “Context is everything,” Allegretti reminds us, and we’re planted in the heart of a global ancient/modern orchestra. Prepare yourself for the revelatory performance.
Martine Bellen
Author of Tales of Murasaki and Other Poems,
1997 National Poetry Series selection