For Immediate Release

In Two Minds, Tanka by Amelia Fielden and Kathy Kituai, Published by Modern English Tanka Press

In Two Minds by Amelia Fielden and Kathy Kituai "is a conversation in two distinct voices. In a spirit of shared writing, this finely honed tanka collection covers a variety of topics with poetic intensity and skill. The reader will delight in the surprise endings, the interconnections and small epiphanies which inform each individual tanka and the sequences as a whole. Tanka enthusiasts and collectors of good poetry alike will welcome this new venture from two accomplished practitioners of the craft" says Margaret Bradstock, Co-Editor, Five Bells, Journal of the Poets’ Union of Australia.

Baltimore, Maryland – July 29, 2008 – In Two Minds, the collection of tanka by Amelia Fielden and Kathy Kituai, has been published in trade paperback by Modern English Tanka Press. All who love tanka will want to read, and re-read, this outstanding collection from the accomplished tanka poets, Amelia Fielden and Kathy Kituai.

"In Two Minds is a delightful and innovative collection of tanka where two skilled writers of this delicate form respond to each other through themes and experiences they have in common. This collection renews for us the ancient Japanese tradition, in tanka writing, of collaborative composition. The tanka are presented side by side, and this enhances, through contrast, the individuality of each poet. Kathy and Amelia write about seasons, friends, family, pets, living in other countries, and the everyday concerns we all share. In the best tanka tradition these experiences are interwoven with—and made richer by—awareness and love of the natural world of gardens, birds, animals, trees, sky and water. The poets realise the potential of this small but potent form, writing poems that go deeper than the seeming simplicity of the tanka’s five lines. In Two Minds is a welcome presentation for the tanka-lovers and writers in Australia, as well as for poetry lovers in general." —Michael Thorley

Amelia Fielden is an Australian poet, and translator of Japanese Literature. She has produced five collections of her own work: Eucalypts and Iris Streams (2002), Fountains Play (2002), Short Songs (2003), Still Swimming (2005), Baubles, Bangles & Beads (2007). Amelia has also had published, to date, twelve volumes of Japanese tanka which she has translated or co-translated. In 2007 she was awarded the Donald Keene Prize for Translation of Japanese Literature by Columbia University, New York.

Australian diarist and poet, Kathy Kituai has taught creative writing since 1990. She has produced three poetry collections: green-shut green (1994), The Lace-maker (1998), Straggling into Winter, (highly commended in IP Picks Best Poetry Award 2007). Kathy has also published a children’s picture book, a dramatised four-part radio documentary, and three anthologies, which she edited or co-edited (which were awarded The Canberra Critics Award 1994). She has won prizes for poetry in USA, UK, Japan and Australia.

For media inquiries or to arrange an interview with the authors, contact Amelia Fielden and Kathy Kituai by e-mail at anafielden@hotmail.com and kituai@optusnet.com.au, respectively. Publisher information at: www.modernenglishtankapress.com.

This book is available from www.Lulu.com/modernenglishtanka, from major booksellers, and from the publisher. Complete information and a mail or email order form are available online at www.modernenglishtankapress.com. Price: $15.00 USD. ISBN 978-0-9817691-2-7. Trade paperback. 140 pages, 6.00" x 9.00", perfect binding, 60# cream interior paper, black and white interior ink, 100# exterior paper, full-color exterior ink.

Modern English Tanka Press is an independent equity publishing house in Baltimore, Maryland, dedicated to producing books and periodicals of lasting literary value, especially poetry. A family business, we treat our customers and partners in publishing like family. We use modern print-on-demand production and distribution methods. Our special mission is to promote the tanka form of poetry and to educate newcomers about this most ancient poetic form. We operate www.TankaCentral.com, the internet megasite for tanka, with its popular "Tanka News" blog, and the poetry web hub, www.ShortVerse.com.

Contact:

Denis M. Garrison, owner

Modern English Tanka Press

443-802-1249

Email to dmg@themetpress.com.

www.modernenglishtankapress.com www.modernenglishtanka.com www.atlaspoetica.com

www.shortverse.com www.tankacentral.com www.tankanews.com www.modernhaiga.com

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