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TANKA NEWS & HAIKU HEADLINES

Atlas Poetica Announces '25 Australian Tanka Poets'

Press Release - For Immediate Release - Please post to all
appropriate venues
 
6 September 2010 — Perryville, Maryland, USA
 
*Atlas Poetica : A Journal of Poetry of Place in Contemporary Tanka*is
proud to announce '25 Australian Tanka Poets,' the fourth installment
of the ‘Special Features’ section of its website. Edited by Beverley George,
the well-known editor of *Eucalypt*, twenty-five Australian tanka poets each
wrote a new tanka representing the diverse landscapes of their country. By
bringing together poets from communities around the world, *Atlas Poetica's
*Special Features allows different tanka traditions to be appreciated
for themselves as well as offering the opportunity to compare and
contrast them with other traditions. The Special Features can be viewed for
free online at <http://AtlasPoetica.org>.
 
*Atlas Poetica* is an international tanka journal that publishes
tanka literature in many languages. However, it can be difficult for
readers and poets to find venues to enjoy tanka featuring different
languages and cultures. Therefore, *Atlas Poetica* has established the
Special Features section to focus on different aspects of the
international tanka community while leading up to a special edition of the
journal itself. ATPO 7 (Autumn, 2010) will feature tanka in translation
from around the world.
 
Designed by Alex von Vaupel, Technical Director for *Atlas
Poetica,*the website hosts information about the journal, submission
guidelines, ordering information and sample issues. Previous Special
Features have already appeared, including ‘25 Romanian Tanka Poets,' ’25
Canadian Tanka Poets in French and English,' and '25 New Zealand Tanka
Poets.' Two more special features are slated for presentation on an
irregular schedule, including ‘25 Tanka for Children’ edited by M. Kei, and
‘25 Tanka on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Themes,’ edited by
Alex von Vaupel. Both are expected in the autumn/winter of 2010.
 
Anyone interested in being a Guest Editor for a Special Feature at the *Atlas
Poetica* website will find guidelines on the Special Features home page
below the Atlas butterfly that is the symbol of the journal.
Anyone interested in being a Guest Editor should familiarize themselves
with the project by reading the Special Features section and also
sample issues of the journal archived on the site.
 
About Keibooks:
Keibooks is a micropress located in Perryville, Maryland, USA, founded by M.
Kei, a poet and tall ship sailor. Keibooks publishes select projects
reflecting his interest in tanka poetry and the sea. Using print-on-demand
technology, Keibooks is able to publish high quality literature in
attractive, affordable editions.
 
Keibooks is home to *Atlas Poetica : A Journal of Poetry of Place
in Contemporary Tanka,* and previously published *Fire Pearls :
Short Masterpieces of the Human Heart, *a classic anthology of tanka love
poems, as well as several other titles. It will soon publish *Catzilla! Tanka,
Kyoka, and Gogyohka About Cats.*
 
For more information, visit: < http://stores.lulu.com/keibooks>.
 
Contact:
M. Kei, publisher and editor
Keibooks
P O Box 516,
Perryville, MD, 21903, USA.
Email: Keibooks (at) gmail.com
http://stores.lulu.com/keibooks
 

M. Kei
Editor, Atlas Poetica
A Journal of Poetry of Place in Contemporary Tanka
 
AtlasPoetica.org
 
To keep abreast of developments, please subscribe to Keibooks-Announce list
at <http://groups.google.com/group/keibooks-Announce> or by sending email
to: Keibooks-Announce-subscribe@googlegroups.com 

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Haiku Pix, a new paper review

Haiku Pix, a new paper review, seeks brief poems employing "word-pictures" to evoke emotion. Subscriptions: $20. Submit 1-10 poems. Your name, address, email on each page. Bio required. Deadline: October 31. Submissions: Haiku Pix Review, 11F, No.489, Tian-fu Rd., Hsinchu 30058, Taiwan. For more information, visit: www.haikupix.com/

Yours sincerely, Marie Kasprzak, Editor 
editor@haikupix.com/

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The Saigyo Awards for Tanka 2010

The Saigyo Awards for Tanka 2010
 
First Prize  $100
 
you say my tanka book
lies in your linen press
that you read one or two
with each clean sheet you take
each fresh cloth for your table
 
Beverley George, Australia
 
I am taken by the uniqueness of this poem.  It even smells clean and fresh, each word folded neatly in place.  There is a sense of presence...and patience.  Life that is savored and unhurried.  There is always enough time.  Ordinary life extraordinarily expressed in just enough of the right words.  It is clear the poet is in awe of how much "you" value the book and as a result feels valued too.  The tanka is about this gift exchange between poet and reader.  This exchange is why we remain working poets.
 
 
Second Prize  $50
 
a requiem
for she who loved apricot—-
the color, the bloom
and the way the fruit
clung lightly to the stone
 
Carole MacRury, WA
 
I feel the poet's deep appreciation for another's life.  This tanka reveals how "she who loved apricot" welcomed the subtle things, and lived life consciously.  The author noticed that about her.  Through the beauty of detailed, non-sentimental language this tanka reveals as much about the poet as it does about her subject.  It's a tanka about seeing and being seen.
 
 
Third Prize  $25
 
cherry blossoms
hold for three days
then scatter...
I tell him I don't want to be
in love anymore
 
Aurora Antonovic, MI
 
The poet is boldly and powerfully clear in this direct, very present, tanka.  I experience the deep, quiet sadness that can come with knowing for certain one's heart and following it, even though it is painful.  The cherry blossoms give the poem its beauty.  Alluding to their temporary nature is what makes me feel this is a realization the poet has thought deeply about.  All this honesty contained in five short lines leaves me feeling the impact long after I leave the poem.
 
 
Honorable Mention
 
boundless joy
for this unpaved road
without a name
with corn on either side
flecked with unknown butterflies
 
Michele L. Harvey, NY
 
Freedom.  Seeing through the world to experience its essence, our essence.  Non-attachment.  This is an example of showing, not telling, through detailed, effortless language, so that I can experience the moment of enlightenment too.
 
 
raging wind
swirling towards the ground
leaves
in their last cycle
my white hair
 
Janick Belleau, Canada
 
I "see" the wind because of the leaves.  The poet "sees" his transitory nature because of the leaves.  He can "see" the end of his physical life approaching, and we know that because of "my white hair."  Each line of the poem gives meaning to the previous line.  This is what strikes me about this tanka.
 
 
trees stir,
Galloway cows about their business,
and a man,
shirt unbuttoned, places
stone on stone to form a wall
 
Patricia Prime, New Zealand
 
I hear trees stirring in the wind, see the cows.  I feel the weight of each stone as he lays them one by one, slowly, deliberately.  The last four words give the poem its meaning.  There's a sense of completeness being told what the result will be, knowing his purpose.  The story has a beginning and an end, and the feeling of it lingers.
 
 
were all the cranes
to forsake the temple,
would the shadow
of something you said
still dwell in me?
 
Darrell Lindsey, TX
 
Cranes and temple immediately establish a Zen quality to this tanka.  The student questions himself.  A Zen poem of humanness, humility, beauty, strength.
 
 
sheet music
taken by a gust
coming off the river—-
every falling leaf
deeper than birdsong
 
Darrell Lindsey, TX
 
It is always a difficult challenge for me to adequately explain why I like a poem.  This one, like each of this year's winning tanka, is chosen for its freshness and uniqueness.  The first three lines are a perfect visual image.  The next two lines give it meaning.  It's as if the purpose of what the poet sees with his eyes is so that he can make the connection for himself in the last two lines.  I feel the moment is designed for the poet's particular life journey, for him to make sense of for his personal growth, his personal awareness...it is our privilege that he shares it with us.  This is the job of poets.
 
A bow of gratitude to all who participated in this year's Saigyo Awards for Tanka contest.  Congratulations to the authors of the winning poems chosen from 436 tanka.
 
Peace and joy,
Carolyn Thomas

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Magnapoets themed anthologies Spring & Summer 2011, and Journal

Magnapoets will be publishing two themed anthologies in spring and summer 2011. All forms of poetry are welcome. Previously unpublished poems are preferred, but previously published material will be considered. Submissions will be open from September 1, 2010 – January 1, 2011. Send all submissions (up to five poems per submission) to Magnapoets AT Gmail DOT com.  

Theme One, Series 3: Love. Romantic love, platonic love, unrequited love, absence of love, any and all explorations of the theme of love are welcome. Be sure to place “Love Anthology” in the subject line.

Theme Two, Series 4: Epiphanies explored as loosely or personally as the writer chooses. What experiences or events, large or small, transformed your life? Be sure to place “Epiphany Anthology” in the subject line.

No stipend fees or contributors’ copies will be given. As with our first two anthologies, titles will be chosen from submitted poems. The authors whose poems inspired the titles will receive one complimentary copy each.
 
And a reminder that submissions are still open to our Proust Questionnaire feature for the Magnapoets journal July 2011 issue.  The Proust Questionnaire is a series of questions made famous by Marcel Proust and it's used often as writing prompts in poetry workshops. It can be answered as light-heartedly or seriously as you'd like. You can answer as many or as few questions as you choose. This feature is open til February 1, 2011.

1.) What is your idea of perfect happiness?

2.) What is your greatest fear?

3.) Which historical figure do you most identify with?

4.) Which living person do you most admire?

5.) What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

6.) What is the trait you most deplore in others?

7.) What is your greatest extravagance?

8.) On what occasion do you lie?

9.) What do you dislike most about your appearance?

10.) When and where were you happiest?

11.) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

12.) If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?

13.) What do you consider your greatest achievement?

14.) Who is your favourite artist, and who is your favourite composer?

15.) What is your most treasured possession?

16.) What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

17.) Who are your heroes in real life?

18.) What is it that you most dislike?

19.) How would you like to die?

20.) What is your motto?

 

Be sure to include a three-sentence bio and photo if you decide to take the Proust Questionnaire.

With best wishes,

Aurora Antonovic

Editor-in-Chief, Magnapoets

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Haibun Today (September 2010) is now online.

The autumn quarterly issue of Haibun Today is now online for your reading pleasure at http://haibuntoday.com

 

Contributors to the current issue include Dan Allawat, Roberta Beary, Nathalie Boisard-Beudin, Marjorie A. Buettner, Glenn G. Coats, Tish Davis, Cherie Hunter Day, Albert DeGenova, Phuoc-Tan Diep, Lynn Edge, Jeffrey Harpeng, Maureen Scott Harris, Michele L. Harvey, Ed Higgins, Ruth Holzer, Gerry Jacobson, Gary LeBel, Chen-ou Liu, Victor Maddalena, Francis Masat, Robert Moyer, Ralph Murre, Eduardo N. del Valle, Stanley Pelter, Dru Philippou, Patricia Prime, Ray Rasmussen, Mark Ritchie, Bruce Ross, Cynthia Rowe, Adelaide B. Shaw, Mark Smith, Richard Straw, Linda Jeannette Ward, Theresa Williams and Jeffrey Winke.

 


This issue also features an in-depth interview with Ruth Holzer by Patricia Prime, an article on “The Ghost in Haibun” by Jeffrey Harpeng and book reviews by Tish Davis, Dru Philippou and Mark Smith.

 

Writers are now invited to submit haibun, tanka prose and articles for consideration in the December 2010 issue of Haibun Today. Consult our Submission Guidelines at Haibun Today. Forward any submissions by email to Jeffrey Woodward, Editor, at haibun.today@gmail.com

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Simply Haiku calls for submissions

Simply Haiku calls for submissions

http://www.simplyhaiku.wordpress.com

Submissions for the Autumn issue accepted from July 15 through September 15.

Accepting Quality Traditional English Language Haiku, Tanka, Haibun, Haiga, Renga, book reviews, interviews and feature articles.

Please read carefully the Submission Guidelines before submitting.

http://simplyhaiku.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/submission-guidelines/

Haiku to Robert D. Wilson: foamfish@gmail.com

Tanka to Amelia Fielden: anafielden@hotmail.com 

Haibun to Kala Ramesh: kalaramesh8@gmail.com

Haiga to Silvija Butkovic: haigaeditor@gmail.com

Renga, Book reviews, interviews, feature articles to Robert D. Wilson and Sasa Vazic:

foamfish@gmail.com  and vazicsasa@gmail.com

 

Robert D. Wilson & Sasa Vazic

Co-Owners, Co-Publishers, Co-Editors in Chief

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MOONBATHING : A JOURNAL OF WOMEN'S TANKA call for submissions

MOONBATHING   A JOURNAL OF WOMEN'S TANKA
EDITOR   Pamela A. Babusci  

Moonbathing Issue 3 is now accepting submissions. Moonbathing will publish two issues a year: Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer.
 
SECOND MOONBATHING CONTEST: For the Premier Issue and yearly, the Editor is sponsoring a "Moonbathing" tanka contest. Tanka poets may submit one tanka on the subject of “Moonbathing”,whatever that means to you for consideration, in addition to their regular submission. The winner will be featured in issue 3 of Moonbathing and receive two issues of Moonbathing as the prize. Be sure to label your tanka “Moonbathing contest” if sending along with your regular submission.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Moonbathing will feature only women poets. Send a maximum of 10 tanka per submission period. Submission deadlines:  Fall/Winter Issue: In-hand Deadline:  Dec. 15th Fall/winter or non-seasonal themes only. No previously published tanka or simultaneous submissions; no tanka that has been posted on-line, whether on a personal website/blog or on a tanka discussion group; and no publicly workshopped tanka will be considered or accepted.

SUBMISSION ADDRESSES: Send your tanka IN THE BODY OF AN E-MAIL to: Pamela A. Babusci:  moongate44(at)gmail(dot)com PLEASE NO ATTACHMENTS. E-mail submissions ONLY.

I hope that all tanka poets who have their work accepted will support Moonbathing by purchasing a copy or a subscription. If Moonbathing is to survive it will need your support and I will be most grateful for it. 
DONATIONS MOST WELCOME. 

DISCLAIMER: Moonbathing does not assume liability for copyright infringement or failure to acknowledge previously published tanka.

COPIES/SUBSCRIPTIONS: Subscriptions: $10 for one year (two issues) U.S. and Canada; $5 for one copy. International: $14 U.S. dollars; send cash or international M.O.—payable to Pamela A. Babusci to: Moonbathing Editor 150 Milford Street Apt. 13 14515-1810  USA 

The Editor of Moonbathing is looking forward to receiving your best tanka. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail Pamela A. Babusci moongate44(at)gmail(dot)com

Respectfully submitted, Pamela A. Babusci, Editor of Moonbathing

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ATLAS POETICA 6 published

PRESS RELEASE: ATLAS POETICA 6 : A JOURNAL OF POETRY OF PLACE IN
CONTEMPORARY TANKA PUBLISHED
 
15 August 2010 - Perryville, Maryland, USA
 
Keibooks is pleased to announce the publication of Atlas Poetica : A Journal
of Contemporary Tanka, issue 6 (Summer, 2010). Atlas Poetica, edited by M.
Kei, is published in print and digital formats, both available through an
online point of sale <http://Lulu.com/Keibooks> or through <
http://AtlasPoetica.org>. ATPO has expanded to contain 84 pages of poetic
content in a large, 8.5 x 11 inch format to accommodate individual tanka,
tanka prose, tanka sequences, book reviews, articles, and international
resources. Print ISSN is 1939-6465 and the digital ISSN is 1945-8908.
 
ATPO is the only tanka journal devoted exclusively to tanka poetry of place.
It brings multiple language offerings from poets around the world together
in each issue. It is also the only tanka journal that devotes itself to
tanka literature in all its forms, including individual tanka, tanka
sequences, tanka prose, shaped tanka, book reviews, articles, and
international resources. ATPO seeks to publish all forms of tanka tradition
and innovation from well-known and emerging poets and authors around the
world. For full submission information, please visit the new website at:
http://AtlasPoetica.org.
 
ATPO is planning a special issue, ATPO 7, to be dedicated to tanka in
translation from around the world, as well as under-represented tanka
communities. Already submissions in Lugana, Hebrew, Japanese, German,
Romanian, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, and other languages have been received,
and many more are expected and hoped for. In addition, articles covering
different tanka traditions, book reviews, announcements, and resources are
wanted. Book notes and announcements can be in any language, do not require
translation into English, and can be up to 200 words long.
 
Volunteer translators who would like to assist with the effort to update the
submission blurbs and information in languages other than English should
contact Editor (at) AtlasPoetica (dot) org with a subject of “Translation”.
Individuals and organizations who would like to be listed or to update their
listing with ATPO should do contact the same address.
 
Keibooks-Announce (at) googlegroups (dot) com is an announcement-only email
list maintained by Keibooks to provide information about Keibooks and its
publisher, M. Kei. It post 0 - 4 announcements each month and does not
forward from other sources. To join, visit:
http://groups.google.com/group/Keibooks-Announce. Permission is granted to
repost and/or forward Press Releases from Keibooks to all appropriate
venues.
 
Atlas Poetica : A Journal of Poetry of Place in Contemporary Tanka is
published by Keibooks (USA).
 
Keibooks
M. Kei, editor
P O Box 1118
Elkton, MD, 21922-1118
Keibooks (at) gmail (dot) com
 
Atlas Poetica web site: http://AtlasPoetica.org
Purchase Atlas Poetica at: http://Lulu.com/Keibooks
 
 

M. Kei
Editor, Atlas Poetica
A Journal of Poetry of Place in Contemporary Tanka
 
AtlasPoetica.org

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Government Recognition for M. Kei's Slow Motion collection

I have been crewing aboard historic wooden sailing vessels for some years now. I served my apprenticeship aboard a skipjack, and since I am a poet, I kept a log of several trips aboard that vessel in the form of short poetry. I published it as Slow Motion : The Log of a Chesapeake Bay Skipjack. I just discovered it has been listed as 'Recommended Reading' by the Chesapeake Bay Program
<http://www.chesapeakebay.net/suggestedreading.aspx?menuitem=16529>.
 
"The Chesapeake Bay Program is a unique regional partnership that has led and directed the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay since 1983. The Chesapeake Bay Program partners include the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia; the District of Columbia; the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative body; the Environmental Protection Agency, representing the federal government; and participating citizen advisory groups. For more, visit our overview of the Chesapeake Bay Program." —from 'About Us'
 
It's gratifying that the governments of the Chesapeake Bay region consider Slow Motion to be a significant work of literature on the topic of the Chesapeake Bay's boats! Slow Motion can be read free online at <http://www.scribd.com/doc/25945756/Slow-Motion-Scribd-com-Edition>.
 
Enjoy!
 
~K~
 

Keibooks
publisher of literature for discerning readers
 
P O Box 1118, Elkton, MD, 21922 USA
http://Lulu.com/Keibooks
Keibooks (at) gmail (dot) com

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Mariko Kitakubo & Linda Galloway, benefit performance of tanka

Mariko Kitakubo and Linda Galloway will give a bilingual Japanese-English benefit performance of their tanka in the Henry Cowell Redwoods, a California State Park, October 23 at 2 pm in the San Francisco and Santa Cruz  area.  Proceeds will be contributed to help save this financially distressed state park.  The poets will be accompanied by an original sound track composed for their poetry by Tokyo-based Teppei Satoh on his handcrafted cast iron instruments.  Japanese translations by Mariko Kitakubo.  English translations by Amelia Fielden or with the assistance of Linda Galloway.

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