First apologies, then congrats.
Apologies for how late this issue is—life happens, you know? I’m still operating at the tail end of recovering from eye surgery, overlaid with a mean case of covid. That rather slowed me up. I hardly know myself slowed up. I suppose I should get to know this version.
But some exciting things have been happening in the month I had to delay publication here. Most exciting, to me, is the audiobook release by Last Word Audio of GREENBEARD, by Richard James Bentley, and the nomination of its narrator, Colby Elliott, for the Voice Arts Awards nominee for the Outstanding Audiobook Narration: Science Fiction category. When EAP published this rollicking sci fi/pirate mashup years ago, the book was ahead of its time and didn’t find the readership it deserved. It’s a mountain of eruditepuns, historical references, aliens, pirates, cricket matches and accents. Colby Elliott of Last Word Audio has done its complexity justice. You won’t actually believe he does all of the characters, they’re so individual in his rendering. He’s been nominated for a best audiobook award as a result. We’re keeping our fingers crossed. Meanwhile, you can find the audiobook here and the original paperback on our website.
Also, Brian Griffith and Zhinia Noorian deserve not just huge congratulations but a special Never Lose the Faith award, on the publication of their impressive work about Iranian women in history and today, MOTHER PERSIA. Zhinia tells how it came about in this issue, and I’ve been following their journey ever since I wanted to publish an earlier version of the book, but was stymied by the indie crash when covid first hit. It’s a great read, as well as an academic tour de force. Get your library to buy it, and read it. You won’t regret it. You may even reread it too.
Powerful writer Yahia Lababidi has just released his book of poetry, PALESTINE WAIL. Alas, all too timely, I am happy to be able to direct you to where you can get the book and join him in bringing light to a very dark time.
Jonah Kruvant needs to be congratulated on publication of his book THE ARMOR YOU BUILT. It was excerpted here last issue. We love it. Lana Hechtman Ayers has got a new book of poetry, THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF RAIN, find it on her website. Love that title, Lana!
(If I’ve forgotten anyone, just remind me, and I’ll add it in. Forgive me, working with half a brain here.)
In this issue, if you want some great advice to the distressed, go for Chris Farago’s poem, “what to do when you are distressed.” I know it helped me!
Read also Diana Morley’s “Wildfire!,” her description of the catastrophic fire that took place when she lived in the Rogue Valley. She originally ended the piece by a grateful move to Asheville. When I asked if she’d like to add to the piece after the Asheville flood, she did, with a passionate plea for community.
My own advice agrees with that take. When distressed, look around your community and pitch in. It’s amazing the happiness that can bring, as well as being the foundation on which everything else in the culture is laid. Don’t just wait every four years for an election. In our community, we have a community-supported, nonprofit news source, Ashland.news. It’s free to subscribe, and if you do, you help us get grants, so don’t hold back even if you’re not native to here. Also, and how could you resist this, my dog Strider is the Ashland.news advice column, offering counsel to man and beast alike in ASK STRIDER. Check him out. He’s a happy dog, and he insists happiness is contagious. He’s not wrong there.
Welcome back.