Samuel Sewell: Sails For Home by Robert Chute (1986)

 

Samuel Sewell: Sails for Home

Robert Chute

Coyote Love Press

Portland, ME

(c)1986

Winner of the 3rd annual Maine poetry chapbook competition. Illustrations were courtesy of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Handsome produced book. 

One, time, light and the stairs of flame unending by D. r. Wagner (1975)

 One, time, light and the stairs of flame unending 

D. r. Wagner

Black Rabbit Press

(C)1975

Cleveland, OH

Tom Kryss was the publisher and likely cover artist. This is a Mimeo. I actually reached out to Wagner twice before his passing in reference to this one. I was remiss in the first exchange and contacted him again, asking him to sign my copy of this book. Which he did. 

D. r. Wagner had authored over 20 books of poetry and letters, and had produced over 50 magazines and chapbooks /mimeos. He was the founder and editor of Niagara Press and Runciple Spoons Press, and had worked with and published poets including d.a.levy, Jim Morrison, Kenneth Rexroth, and Allen Ginsberg. In addition to his literary career, Wagner was a singer-songwriter, musician and visual artist who won international awards and had pieces placed in museum collections. Wagner taught Design at UC Davis for twenty years. 

He died in 2023. 

Lately by Charles S. Cobean (2026)

 

Lately

Charles S. Cobean

Finishing Line Press

Georgetown, KY

(c)2026

It's a new book. I usually don't see chapbooks so new. 

Raven's Address (Notes from the Colorado Plateau) by Eric Walter (1993)

Raven's Address (Notes from the Colorado Plateau)

Eric Walter

Longhand Press

Golden, CO

(c)1993

Illustrated by Doug Goodwin.

Staple-bound chapbook. Longhand Press published local Colorado writers to bring out work dealing with the region. This one fit into their "range" (figuratively and literally). Two additional images here for context. Most chapbooks don't include anything like either so kudos for the press to have them, especially this one: 

which is located at the end of the book, right before this : 

                                          which I found to be cooler than cool. Great work, Longhand Press, wherever you are!

Rewind by David Hiatt (unstated)

 

REWIND

David Hiatt

GRR/book   /11

LeGrande, OR

(c) not stated

tiny format paperback. Staple-bound with tape cover. Yellow paper. 

Many poems about driving and being "on the road". 

two tiny tinies by Ben L Hiatt (both from 1968)

 

A Solitary Tribute to the Hermit of Bald Mountain

Hangyard Press

Lickapoo Falls, WA

(c) 1968

                                                                       Fish Poems

                                                                                 Runcible Spoon

                                                                                 Sacramento, CA

                                                                                 (c) 1968

These were the two items that led to some internet confusion but serious curiosity on my part. I had heard of Runcible Spoon previously (not from anything I blogged though) and knew it was associated with Sacramento. I had never heard of Ben L Hiatt though. It didn't surprise me to learn that he had stayed in Sacramento. It did surprise me that he was also published by an equally tiny outfit in Washington State. 

Hangyard Press was run by Grayson B. Goldstein who made it known he hated submissions and would rather poets fuck off than publish them. And yet...this one exists. 

 

Ben L Hiatt and David Hiatt are different people from different places

 I feel the need to convey this rather obvious truth since AI did not - could not - distinguish between the two with the limited about of information they provided which led me to purchasing a small lot of tiny chapbooks by David Hiatt, but the description of the lot was faulty and in fact 2 of the 3 items were by Ben Hiatt. 

I want to thank those of you who have faithfully remained connected to my 'adventures in poetry chapbooks'. By now you know that I have focused on the unknown or under appreciated poets and small presses that have existed (and disappeared like summer incests after the first frost). But what you didn't know and what I didn't realize until recently was that I was unconsciously gathering pieces for a book about poetry chapbooks and have now begun fleshing it out. 

It will be both different and in a way a follow up to the landmark A Secret Location on the Lower East Side by Steven Clay and Rodney Phillips. That well known book focuses on the years 1960-1980 and it was published in 1998. My interest is both earlier than 1960 and as recently as the next chapbook published anywhere in America. As any of you, observer/witnesses already know, I am interested in the small presses in places other than New York and San Francisco because those places, literally EVERY place is a place where someone could and often did start a small press and "publish" something, be it as tiny as a 4 page booklet slightly larger than a stamp or a tall thin book, hand-sewn, with some manner of incredibly detailed images. Those objects were not destined to be recalled or remembered, but I find them the most interesting and in some cases the first publications of authors who went on to become well known and established writers, some even "household names". Because the truth is, everybody starts somewhere. And those "somewheres" are places as diverse as the Pacific Northwest and West Texas grasslands. Wherever creative people live and could conceive of a way to print, they did. 

One thing I learned from William S Burroughs was the difference from making a statement THE (whatever) or A (whatever). THE subjects definitive, absolute or complete. A does not subject anything like that, so what I am working on is A history of poetry chapbooks in the United States, not THE.  For the practical reality that no sooner would such a book get printed than dozens of new possible additions would arise. New presses appear with great regularity, printing fresh new books all the time. So, I will be writing what I have and know and get it into print so it's real and available. A moment captured. Not a finality. full-stop done. 

The book will not be written or augmented by AI. The technology is not precise, it's still a dumb machine. The beginning example of BEN, not DAVID Hiatt is testimony to that. Some human posted something that was not factually accurate and because AI had no reference of the people involved, it simply stated the inaccuracies as facts. Can't rely on AI yet, maybe ever, but certainly when it comes to Hiatt /Hiatt. 

The Last Poem of Volcek Kalsaretz by Cesar Calvo (1970)

 The Last Poem of Volcek Kalsaretz

Cesar Calvo

translated by James Stevens

design and illustrations by Gary Viskupic

The Depot Press

(c)1970

This is an exquisite item. Beautifully illustrated with a trick or two up its sleeves as well. Sponsored in part by the University of Illinois Foundation. 

Unbinding by Lisabeth Bisgyer (1975)

 

Unbinding 

Lizabeth Bisgyer

Turkey Press

(c)1975

I have had other books by this press but they were just a little too "wordy" (too many pages) to be considered a chapbook so I didn't write about them. Inside back cover has some additional details about this book, actually. It was on of 200 printed. The painstaking work of printing was handled by David Cooper and Henry Reese. Also - the book was dedicated to John Cake. 

Footsteps by Dennis Hutton (1971)

 Footsteps

Dennis Hutton

A Traveling Grain and Cider Press Bokk

twowindows press

San Francisco, CA

(c)1971

One of only 90 copies printed. Designed by Don Grey and G, Flynn. Illustration and cover serigraph by U. R. Sanchez. Handsewn. This is a gorgeous booklet with poems laid out both traditionally and non-traditionally (you know, the way I like to see the words floating down a page). 

I had not hear of the poet of the press before. One of the things I love about what I just wrote is that AI hadn't heard of the poet either and it attempting to bullshit a response. Truly. "Not well known" is its cover. OMG, even. 

I actually found two different books by the same press, one published in 1967. The other in 1987. I wrote about them at the time. Of the three that I have now in my collection, this one is the most beautifully done. Just stunning work. 

Home For the Night by Robert Peterson (1962)

 

Home For the Night

Robert Peterson with illustrations by Mel Fowler

Amber House Press

San Francisco, CA

(c)1962

This is a unique book because it is inscribed to Donald Allen, the translator, publisher and editor of the renowned poetry anthology,  The New American Poetry: 1945-1960. Beautifully illustrated throughout by Mel Fowler. 

35 pages. Beautifully executed. One of a kind. 

Phone Book by Gerry Gilbert (1969)

 

Phone Book 

Gerry Gilbert

Weed/Flower Press / Ganglia Press

Toronto, Canada

(c)1969

Another doozy find from a lot of poetry books. While I am adding a link to both the poet and the press, I have mention that later in his life the poet got involved with found and concrete poetry. There are items that he either made himself or was involved with currently listed on Ebay, for example, although I don't need to hold one in my hands to see their oddly sized and shaped existence. Mr. Gilbert died in 2009. It appears that all of his books were published in Canada. 

Plastic Father by C. W. Truesdale (1971)

 

Plastic Father

C. W. Truesdale

Fragments Press

New York

(c)1971

Illustrations throughout by Neil Greenberg. Fragments Press seems to have disappeared without much of an internet "footprint". Mr. Truesdale was the author of several books of poetry, this one among his earliest. 

I like the use of differing fonts and some spacial deviations that I am quite used to seeing now but was kind of surprised to see in a 1971 chapbook. He's experimenting and I fully appreciate his efforts and those of Fragments Press, a press that was associated with Rutgers University. The books from Fragments Press were distributed by New Rivers Press (NYC), also a press I know next to nothing about. 

At the same time, this book is also a film critique of the 1959 John Wayne movie, Rio Bravo, using the language and "experimentation" I previously mentioned to pick through the corpse of the movie. (Not a "film", but light John Wayne western entertainment oozing with white privilege and minority troupes that were common place back then) - but this astute poet noted and wrote about in this tiny volume. Truesdale spares no one; even the scriptwriter gets a kick in the pants. 

Vanish by David Hiatt (1974)

 

Vanish

David Hiatt

Litmus

Salt Lake City, UT

(c) 1974

There is a 21st century Litmus Press. This isn't that. This is the original Salt Lake City based publishing concern that Mr. Hiatt was instrumental in creating.Hiatt was instrumental in the establishment of Litmus Press, which played a key role in promoting local authors and literature during the 1970s. He was known for promoting the writing of local SLC poets. 

This is a handsome representation of the work that Litmus published during their heyday. They published a chapbook by Charles Bukowski in 1968 (so Black Sparrow didn't publish everything Bukowski) 

David Hiatt (1942-2007) deserves to be remembered. 

Northport by Allan Johnston (2010)

 

Northport

Allan Johnston

Finishing Line Press

Georgetown, KY

(c)2010

Don't trip over that string. 

What is the purpose of that string?

I believe they stopped doing that now, but if there was a logic to it - I don't get it. Am acknowledging the book and the author. The Press? 

NAH.

Astronomers Madonnas and Prophesies by Victor Contoski (1972)

Astronomers Madonnas and Prophesies 

Victor Contoski 

Northeast/Juniper Books

La Crosse, WI

(c)1972

This was my first encounter with Victor Contoski but not with Juniper Books. This was an early book in their publishing lives but already they had published books by George Hitchcock and John Judson. It's a slightly larger sized staple bound book. Cover image by Anne Swan. Poems of the era. 

The Ancient Wars by Paul Zimmer (1981)

The Ancient Wars

Paul Zimmer

Slow Loris Press

Pittsburgh, PA

(c)1981

I find it curious that the book is dedicated to the publishers of all of his books. I never heard of Slow Loris Press, but found this online ; "The Slow Loris Press was an independent non-profit venture headed by Anthony and Patricia Petrosky. The Slow Loris Press focused on publishing a poetry magazine called the Rapport that evolved into a wider format with the start of the Slow Loris Reader (SLR) in 1978. The press also published poetry anthologies of various authors, as well as, the Rapport and SLR which drew upon numerous poets' work. The Slow Loris Press originated in Buffalo, New York, where Anthony Petrosky (also called Tony) taught at the Free School of Buffalo. When Anthony received a position at the University of Pittsburgh in 1975 the couple and magazine headed there. In February of 1978 the couple had a child named Matthew. By 1978 and the launching of the SLR, Patricia (also called Patty) Petrosky controlled most of the press's operations, including the editorship.

Financial support for the press came from magazine subscriptions, sales of its book and from available government grants. In the 1980s the press encountered trouble competing for National Endowment for the Humanities grants as well as more local funding options. In 1986, with two books by Martha Friedberg and Janet Sternberg in production, the press halted operations amid financial and personal troubles. Influenced by these setbacks the Slow Loris Press ceased operation in 1986."

The text is not secured to the cover, apparently by design. The poet as the main character throughout the poems. Interesting collection. 

The Dream Tree by Stephen Cosgrove (1974)

 

The Dream Tree

Stephen Cosgrove

Illustrated by Robin James

Price/Stern'Sloan

Los Ángeles, CA

(c)1974

          Best known for publishing Mad-Lids they expanded their company into the world of children's literature under the "Serendipity Book" imprint. This was one of those. Beautifully illustrated by Robin James. Lovely staple-bound booklet. 

The Bowery and other poems by Linda Lerner (2004)

 

The Bowery and other poems

Linda Lerner 

March Street Press

Greensboro, NC

(c)2004

I don't claim to have met many of the poets whose books I write about here but I did meet Linda Lerner when I was the events coordinator at a famous Philadelphia bookstore a year or two before this book was published. 

She did a good reading as I recall but what I most remember about her visit was her overheated entrance, she has been walking much further than she thought she would be, and she was a bit the worse for wear. 

She name-drops a time or two in this collection, but so did I by dropping hers. It's a good read. 

Spoiled for Choice by Duncan Glen (1976)

Spoiled for Choice

Duncan Glen

Akros Publications 

Lancashire, UK

(c)1976

Apparently there was once a magazine called Akros and from it arose (and later sank) a publishing operation called Akros Publications. I mention this because AI wants me to go to some current named entity that bares no resemblance in publication with the original whatsoever. Other than the fact that the original disappeared and so did the control over the name and thus a new company has claimed the name. 

Now that that is a clear as mud : this numbered and signed copy is extremely interesting in that is was written and published within three months back in 1976 and the poems were printed on different colored paper stock throughout. Really cool. Darn one say "innovative". I dare. 

Spring Fever and Other Dialect Verses by Lucy Cherry Crisp (1935)

 

Spring Fever and Other Dialect Verses

Lucy Cherry Crisp

Joseph J Stone & Co.

Greensboro, NC

(c) 1935

It's a misnomer to say that poetry chapbooks started in the 1940s. There will always be gems like this that appear if for no other reason than to contradict prevailing narratives. 

This frail 41 page hand sown book was made in 1935. It has some condition issues, The poetry is true to the period. Well, the language is more of a regional dialect - hey, I bet that's why ...... yeah, it's actually a good representation of a regional dialect. If it weren't so fragile, I would read it with vigor and energy - and it would disintegrate in my hands. 

I won't do that. I am glad to add it to my collection. 

Total Eclipse by Bruce Holsapple (1977)

 

Total Eclipse

Bruce Holsapple

Contraband Press

Portland, ME

(c)1977

             I will admit that before I even started writing this I had no idea who this poet was nor who the publisher was (spoiler alert: they are the same person). Never heard of the Press, nor the poet, nor did I consider the possibility that Portland Maine was ever a cool creative dot on the map. 

             I am glad to be wrong on all accounts. Contraband Press started out as a magazine created, primarily, by Bruce Holsapple himself. If you are curious to learn more, seek out articles by Dana Wilde about that time period (the mid-1970s) in Portland since he was there and witnessed it, took it all in, was part of that creative community as a teen. 

             This book was included in a lot I purchased online from someone with whom I have had dealings with in the past, and what caught my eye with this one was the amount of visuality in the cover. Pretty stunning for a book cover from a small press in Portland MAINE.  

             Really glad to have it. But again, read Dana Wilde's articles - they are easy enough to find online and really fill in the story more accurately than I ever could. 

Life As a Crossword Puzzle by Noah Falck (2009)

 Life As a Crossword Puzzle

Noah Falck

Open Thread / Encyclopedia Destructica 

Pittsburgh, PA

(c)2009

Staple bound book. Open Thread is a 3 state poetic conglomerate featuring the writings of poets from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. It seems that before settling in Buffalo, NY where has made his mark in multiple ways (in particular the Silo Reading series - goggle them), Noah was a product of the state of Ohio. He was an elementary school teacher in Dayton. 

This crossword themed collection is interesting. The production of the book was underwritten by the Sprout Fund. Fun little project. 

Wear and Tear by Tom Plante (1977)

 

Wear and Tear

Tom Plante

crosscut saw press

Berkeley, CA

(c)1977

I want to mention the press first. I never heard of them but they were definitely "a thing" in the 1970s & 1980s. By the time this book came out they have published two books my Andy Clauser, one collection by Jack Hirschman, and this second book by Tom Plante. 

Plante was known as the editor and publisher of Exit 13 magazine, as well as for his own writing and books.  

The smaller format of this book allowed for it to be a perfect bound book. Unpaginated. 

Amper-sand & Question-mark?: a finite poem by Ken Lawless (1970)

 

Amper-sand & Question-mark? : a finite poem

Ken Lawless

zeitgeist publications

(c)1970

At the time it was released in 1970, this book and its publisher were praised for innovative poetic presentation. While this may be factual, I can't find a non-AI produced "book review" of it. It was a virtually unknown publisher and an equally unknown author. However, at the time, Zeitgeist did produce a fair number of books during its day, including books by Ray DiPalma and Greg Kuzma, and others. 

What I find interesting is the size of the book and the tactile nature of the paper used for the text and cover. I need to learn more about this Press. 

blank missives by esther lee (2007)

blank missives

esther lee 

Trafficker Press

(c)2007

What Trafficker Press said about itself "An often inadvertently queer bi-coastal chapbook press founded in 2007 by Erin Morrill and Andrew Kenower, publishing works by emerging writers with interviews between the writers included in the back of most books..."

In the end the small press folded up and as my daughter would say "misappeared". Ugly Duckling Presse took over distribution of their final chapbooks. The last appeared in 2014. 

Oddly conceptual piece of writing and true to their description, there is an interview at the end of this staple bound book with Bhanu Kapil. Handsome book. Sorry to learn of this small press's demise. 

Contrecoeur's Copy of George Washington's Journal of 1754 (1989)

Contrecoeur's Copy of George Washington's Journal of 1754

edited by Donald H. Kent

Eastern National Park & Monument Association

(c)1989

When forced to surrender to the French in 1754 at Fort Necessity, this journal was left behind during the chaos of that moment. It is an extract with footnotes of Major Washington's journal which had made its way to Canada. I was not aware of this journal nor its significance prior to me finding this booklet. 

36 pages, staple bound. 

Saint Aidan's For Hymnal 1979

 

Saint Aidan's Folk Hymnal 1979

Saint Aidan's Episcopal Church

Alexandria, VA 

(c)1979

Created by Ellen Holiday, Cecelia Brevard, Jackie Waller, and Sharon Cunningham. It's a staple bound collection of religious folk hymnals printed on yellow paper (which is why I am mentioning it)

Grotto by Frances Cannon (2025)

 

Grotto

Frances Cannon

above/ground press

Ontario, Canada

(c)2025

Found this in an art gallery/working space (like a beehive for artists) in Burlington, VT when I was there in April 2026.  This is an oddly sized book in the sense that the cover is shorter than the pages of text. Like a person laying in a bed that is too short for their legs. I am sure it was on purpose. 

This is the second item I have from above/ground press. 

The author has been quite busy. 10 books + !!!

Fevers and Clocks by Kristan Marie Darling (2006)

 

Fevers and Clocks

Kristina Marie Darling

March Street Press

(c)2006

The books of poetry published by March Street Press during the mid-aughts were formulaic and while they managed (barely) to put text on the spines of their books. Like on this one, tiny print though it is. 21 pages. It's a chapbook by page standards, but text on the spine so it's....what?

Short fiction. Good writing. 

"in the neighborhood" by "friend of monument" (2025)

 Honestly I have no idea at all about this booklet. It's entirely wordless. It's an artist book without context or any identifiers. 

I picked this up at the same event in Burlington, VT as other items and this was also on the Monument table, and I seem to recall that the man who was at the table said that he and his brothers made these books, but 

Beyond that all I can say is that there are images throughout the staple bound booklet. I am acknowledging it as one would acknowledge a warm breeze on a spring night. 

Wondrous News by Robert Sargent (2002)

 

Wondrous News

Robert Sargent

The Argonne House Press

Washington, DC

(c)2002

Another in the series that this imprint put out in the early years of this century. The poet was well known in the DC area. He was the author of 8 collections of poetry. He was actively involved with the Washington Writers Publishing House and the Bunny and Crocodile Press. 

Staple bound. 46 pages. Author photo by Karren Alenier

"Universal Cop Avoidance" by Ryan Skrabalak (2025)

"Universal Cop Avoidance"

Ryan Skrabalak

Tree Jumps Rainbow #13

(c) 2025

'Made for the occasion of a poetry reading at the Poetry Project (Kingston, NY), November 2025, with Nazareth Hassan.' Straight from the note in the back of this tiny little something with text and images by author. I picked this up at the Vermont Book Arts exhibition in Burlington, VT in April 2026. The author/artist is an associate of Monument which is a small press located in Kingston, NY. Met Rich and Sally in Burlington. Nice folks. Dedicated. What more can one ask?

Necessary Shipwrecks by Tifani Greenwood (2002)

 Necessary Shipwrecks

Tifani Greenwood

Trimmvirate Press

(c)2002

The press does not exist as it had in 2002. It might have come into existence just to publish this book. The poet might also have made this book as a way to dovetail into the art world. In either case, it's a bit of an Art Book that I am happy to have found along the way. 

Driving With One Light Out by Ken Denberg (1993)

  Driving with One Light Out

  Ken Denberg

  University of South Carolina-Aiken

Aiken, South Carolina 

(c)1993

Winner of The Devil's Millhopper Press poetry chapbook contest of 1993. Cover art by Walter Boppert. Staple bound chapbook. Good poetry. 

1960s feminism and radical badasses by Soraya Hammer (2026)

 

1960s feminism an radical badasses

Soraya Hammer

self - produced

(c)2026

In April 2026 I ventured north to New England to take in the first ever Vermont Art Book Fair which took place in Burlington, Vermont on April 10 & 11. It was an amazing array of book artists and print makers and student made work (like this one). 

Collage small formatted staple bound effort. I made her sign this copy. I believe she's a student at the University of Vermont. I hope she continues to produce art. 

Look Through My Windows: My Heart's In a Prison by Gregory Espy (????)

 

Look Through My Windows: My Heart's In a Prison

Gregory Espy

I know nothing of this man. I did a google search and according to AI (as though that is a reliable source) this man had enough of an electronic footprint that what AI spewed was nothing but gushy accolades. So, I looked for his books on Amazon and, ah, he used the same cover image for another book, Hidden Behind My Mask, which was published in 2019. The exact statue face. 

This chapbook has zero publication history and do not list a publisher. 

It's not my mystery to uncover. Also, I am not impressed with his poetry. 

Hummingbird Conditions by Edith Kamkar (2001)

 

Hummingbird Conditions

Edith Kamkar

Catalyst Books

Redwood City, CA

(c)2001

Woodcuts by Barbara Leventhal-Stern

Handsome book with wonderful illustrations throughout. Love the feel of the cover, but the paper stock the poems are printed on feel like Xerox stock. Alas. Then again, this was a 200 copy run of the second printing of the book. That's something to note. 

Mountain Offerings by Amy Allen (2024)

 

Mountain Offerings 

Amy Allen 

Rootstock Publishing

Montpelier, VT

(c)2024

Was recently in New England and visited a friend in Rutland, Vermont who took me to Phoenix Books where I saw this chapbook. It's regional. 28 pages. The poet lives and works in state. The poems are grounded and stable as the state itself. The cover art is by Lindsey Taylor. 

Sarabelle: A ballad of Colly Creek by Janet Adkins I1993)

 Sarabelle: A ball of Colly Creek

Janet Adkins

Village Graphics

(c)1993

Illustrations by author. This chapbook is a stand alone publishing of a 1985 presentation of the same piece that was included in PULPSMITH magazine where it had won the Madeline Sadine award for best poem by a woman. 

This staple bound chapbook has a wonderfully textured cover and had an inscription as well as being signed twice by the author (who doubled as the illustrator as mentioned). 

The book cover is a wrap around image 

this is the back. Beautifully produced book

Twenty Years of blogging about poetry chapbooks (2006 - 2026)

                            Twenty years of blogging about poetry chapbooks

It just dawned on me this morning that I started writing about these “tiny slivers of nothing” 20 years ago. I had been collecting them long before I decided to write about them. In part, of course, because I was also publishing them (as Plan B Press) but also because I felt that they represented those fragile - hopeful beginnings that every writer, every poet needs to “put themselves out there” in the literature flow of our culture, of our consciousness. 

I just started because I felt the poets and the presses and the printers involved needed to be remembered - because they made the effort, because they created the work, because they mattered. As informative as A Secret Location on the Lower East Side was when it was published in 1998 it was not all inclusive, nor did it claim to be. 

What I have learned through my own investigation into small presses and their corresponding chapbooks is that they existed across the country. Because there was a need. Because the big publishing houses could not and would not publish every collection of poetry that came their way, nor should they have. But if a poet or a printer or a publisher be determined to bring something to fruition; the better for all of us. 

Some of it was technologically driven; the less expensive the process of producing a book became - the more books appeared. The more imprints appeared. The more small presses there were. Some of the small presses grew into mid-sized presses. Toothpaste Press became Coffee House Press, for example. But many of the smallest presses remained so. Some on purpose. 

That’s the reality as much as there is one. Another reality is that even with the advent of e-books, there is a certain portion of the reading public that prefers to hold something physical. And more than that : something tactile. Something that feels like something. Not a Print-on-Demand machine products wigget (they may as well be) but something made by hand, made with care, craftsmenship, and dare I say - with love. 

That’s why I continue to blog about poetry chapbooks; because I love what they are. I love the effort put into the creation of them. I may not always love the poetry itself. But I love the effort and the process, and get terribly excited when I find a gem that was lost in the mass market world of slicky produced schlock that sometimes passes as “art” or “literature” in our commerical-based society that favors availabiliy and cost over quality and panache. 

And you know it when you feel it. 

Scoria by Nicholas James Whittington (2012)

 

Scoria

Nicholas James Whittington

Bird & Beckett

San Francisco

(c) 2012

Bird & Beckett is a bookstore in San Francisco. Bird & Beckett is also an imprint of books printed through the bookstore. Nicholas James Whittington is a poet - who is the person who operates the imprint for the bookstore. Nicholas James Whittington has three books out through the imprint that he manages. While I like the concept and layout of the book, publishing three of your own books via an imprint that you also manage borderlines being a vanity press. Then again, this chapbook was released 14 years ago, and Nicholas James Whittington's stature has changed since then. Perhaps this imprint no longer exists. As a snapshot in one man's creative process, this is definitely worth the finding. 

a new boundary and other pieces by guy r. beining (1980)

 

a new boundary and other pieces

guy r. beining 

woodrose editions

Waupaca, WI

(c)1980

My introduction to the work of guy r. beining was a postcard printed by The Bellevue Press back in the 1970s. Some research later I found more of his work and sort of dismissed it out of turn (sorry, my bad) 

I must have found his mailing address somewhere along the way because I found a letter that he had written me reminding me to send some of his artwork back to him when I was done looking at them (?) The letter was postmarked 2015. I hope I did return the pieces, I have no recollection either way. After rediscovering the letter, I sought a book of his that I might read the type of writing he was producing and found a copy of this book. 

                                        Much of the work appears on the page in a fashion similar to e e cummings or a LANGUAGE poet; the spacing on the page is intentional. I like that. The words breathe because they are not clumped together like sardines in a can. Yes!

KitchenHEAT by Ava Leavell Haymon (1991)

KitchenHEAT

Ava Leavell Haymon

Maude's Head Press

Houston, TX

(c)1991

The press no longer exists in the way it was operating in 1991. The poet is still alive and quite active. This staple-bound handsome chapbook is a joy to hold and read.