As I finish up my editing work on the next issue of The Brooklyn Rail, I want to take a minute to celebrate the most recent issue, June 2017, full of interviews and reviews with poets, fiction writers, and essayists, many of them debut authors. Lisa Ko talks with Nicole Treska about Ko’s debut novel THE LEAVERS. Gabino Iglesias reviews Morgan Parker’s newest collection of poems THERE ARE MORE BEAUTIFUL THINGS THAN BEYONCE. Melissa Febos talks with Ryan Berg about her newest collection of essays, ABANDON ME, which Berg calls a “fiercely intelligent and remarkably intimate investigation of love and obsession, trauma and resiliency.” Our regular fiction critic John Domini reviews Lance Olsen‘s DREAMLIVES OF DEBRIS and Barbara Browning‘s THE GIFT. Mr. Domini also offers us an extended literary essay on the setting of New York City in three novels by Don DeLillo: GREAT JONES STREET, UNDERWORLD, and COSMOPOLIS. David Varno reviews Emmanuel Carrère‘s THE KINGDOM. Kristy Eldredge‘s talks with fiction writer Stacey Levine about her work and her recent collection THE GIRL WITH BROWN FUR: TALES & STORIES. Poet Mai Der Vang talks with Alex Dueben about her first book of poetry, AFTERLAND, just released by Graywolf Press. Joseph Scapellato discusses his debut story collection, BIG LONESOME, with James Tadd Adcox. Yvonne C. Garrett covers new books by women in rock: Kristin Hersh’s RATGIRL, Kim Gordon’s GIRL IN A BAND, and Carrie Brownstein’s HUNGER MAKES ME A MODERN GIRL. Ms. Garrett also covers Chris Offutt‘s memoir MY FATHER THE PORNOGRAPHER and Monica Drake‘s debut story collection THE FOLLY OF LOVING LIFE. Matt Grant reviews Taylor Larsen‘s debut novel STRANGER, FATHER, BELOVED. And J. T. Price gives us one of the best interviews (in my opinion) with author Paul Auster I’ve read in a while. Auster discusses his newest novel, 4 3 2 1, and so much more. Mr. Price also offers us an extensive consideration of Amy Hungerford‘s newest book of literary criticism MAKING LITERATURE NOW.

Proud as holy heck to see my beloved publisher, BOA Editions, as one of the major sponsors of this year’s ‪#‎AWP16‬!

Happy 40th, BOA!

See you all at AWP 2016: BOA 40th Anniversary Panel & Party!

Thanks to John Domini for organizing a wonderful dinner last night in Los Angeles to kick off AWP 2016. Got to see and meet friends Naomi Ulsted, Tony Ardizzone Jesse Lee Kercheval, Olivia Kate Cerrone, Joe Amato, Lyz Lenz and Michele Filgate. A wonderful evening.

Join us this Thursday, Oct. 22nd, 8 PM, Brooklyn, for the launch of HIP Lit’s new monthly salon series happening in “The Hideaway,” the lofted literary love-nest upstairs at Be Electric Studios in Brooklyn. Come check out this new space and reading series. I’ll be reading alongside Matthew Vollmer Carmiel Banasky, and Nancy Hightower, all of whom have new books out, which will be for sale on Thursday. Please join us in initiating this space with an evening of readings, good company, and a whole lotta lofted love. Free Admission. BYOB.

HUGE thanks to Brittney Inman Canty, Erin Harris, and Kim Perel.

https://www.facebook.com/events/411189809078297/

Let the summer literary celebrations begin! The June issue of The Brooklyn Rail is on stands and online now. Again, I have to express my pride in our “In Conversation” series. Whether you’re writer, reader, or both, you’ll love this growing series. This month we feature interviews with poet Tony Leuzzi with David Groff; Kenan Trebincevic and Susan Shapiro with Rob Williams; as well as another installment of the NYPL Young Lion Matt Bell‘s monthly interview series. This month, Matt offers up an amazing interview with debut novelist D Foy. Books under review this month include Courtney Maum‘s poignant and playful debut I AM HAVING SO MUCH FUN HERE WITHOUT YOU, reviewed by Elizabeth Eslami; there’s John Domini‘s smart collection of critcism THE SEA-GOD’S HERB, reviewed by J.C. Hallman; and there’s Tony Leuzzi‘s gorgeous new volume of poetry THE BURNING DOOR, reviewed by Steve Fellner; also there’s Spuyten Duyvil’s incredible new anthology of contemporary experimental women writers WRECKAGE OF REASON II: BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, edited by Nava Renek & Natalie Nuzzo, reviewed by Joyelle McSweeney.

Traveling in Italy until end of August, but wanted to post some lovely photos of my recent trip to Siena. Also: I just got word that I’ll be presenting at the 2014 AWP Conference, in Seattle, on a panel called “The Art of the Book Review.” Thanks to Tony Leuzzi for all his hard work and patience in organizing the whole thing; I’m grateful to be on board. Finally, a fond thank you to John Domini for his faith and vision in organizing another wonderful panel proposal that, alas, did not get accepted. Thank you, John, for inviting me to be a part.

My delight in editing the book review section for The Brooklyn Rail is finding smart, emerging writers like Ben Pfeiffer, who, in the March issue, has this to say about Warren Ellis’s powerful new novel GUN MACHINE: “(The novel) takes the reader into several ghost maps laid out over New York City like superimposed squares of vellum…(T)he book (is) chiaroscuro—a collection of bold contrasts made with alternating pools of light and darkness—as opposed to classic noir. Or, to put it another way, Gun Machine is noir at light speed.”  Read it here.