WordgatheringA Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature |
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WelcomeWith the final issue of 2013, Wordgathering completes its seventh year of publication and the first full year of its newest feature, the Reading Loop a venue in which poets are given free reign to discuss the works of other writers and issues of their choice. This time around the guest editor is Kobus Moolman South African poet and playwright who discusses the evolution of his own work and that of other South African writers. In addition, Moolman's latest book, Left Over is reviewed in this issue as are the latest poetry books of returning writers Ona Gritz and Des Kenny. Other poets present are Linda Benninghoff, Andy Jackson, Andrea Nicki, Stuart Sanderson, Andrew Sydlik, Pia Taavila-Borscheim, Lori-Ann Tessier and Eileen Van Hook. While Benninghoff, Jackson and Sanderson may be familiar to Wordgathering readers, the other poets are all here for the first time. For fiction buffs, we have short stories by John Bach and Fran Gardener as well as debut novel excerpts from Shannon O'Connor, Lizz Schumer and Terry Tracy. Septuagenarian S. Avis Gray heads up our essay section with her person account of childhood in Yuma, Arizona. She's joined by three other diverse and interesting essayist, who also draw on their unique personal experiences - Katie He Leo, Vayda Smith and Laura Kolaczkowski. Gray teams up with her story co-author André LeMont Wilson in the interview section to discuss their co-operative effort. Two other interviews include Rachael Zubal-Ruggieri discussing her involvement with disability studies at Syracuse University and joint editors Tracy A. Todd and Sean J. Maloney who talk about their work in putting together a collection of writing about multiple sclerosis. Wordgathering is always excited to add a new first to its list and in this issue it is a music review with John Bartley checking out Alex Lubet's recent CD, Spectral Blues. Last but certainly not least are the Wordgathering book reviews which seem to increase with every issue. The writers whose books are reviewed this time are Rachel Adams (memoir), Kathryn Allan (science fiction and disability scholarship), John Lee Clark (literary anthology), George McKay (popular music), Susan Nussbaum (novel), Tracy A. Todd and Sean J. Maloney (literature anthology) and, of course the three poets already mentioned, Ona Gritz, Des Kenny and Kobus Moolman. Though they are still quite a way off, Wordgathering will be involved in two events that occur before the publication of the next issue. The first is an interview with editor Mike Northen about the work of Wordgathering for the Eyes on Success program out of Rochester, New York that focuses on issues for people with visual disabilities. Readers can hear the interview by going to http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1402_podcast.mp3 or by going to the program's website at www.EyesOnSuccess.net. Then on February 28, for writers whose work frequently appears in Wordgathering, Ona Gritz, harilyn Rousso, Sheila Black, and Anne Kaier will be reading from their work and that of poet Jennifer Bartlett at the AWP conference in Seattle.Wordgathering continues to maintain a presence on social media. We hope you'll share your comment with us with us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @wordgathering.com. As always, Wordgathering seeks work that develops the field of disability literature. We invite the submission of poetry, short fiction, and essays that discuss poetry from a disability perspective or that contribute to the theoretical development of the field of disability literature. If you have authored a book that you think should be reviewed in Wordgathering, and is consistent with our mission, please let us know about that as well. Submission guidelines are provided at the guidelines link on this page. We value our readers' opinions and hope you will send your comments, concerns or ideas to us at comments@wordgathering.com. The Editors Return to Top |
This site is maintained by Michael Northen and Eliot Spindel. |
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