Wordgathering

A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature
Volume 8     Issue 4     December 2014

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Welcome

The December issue of Wordgathering sees the return of many poets previously published in the journal, continuing to build an important body of disability literature. These include Jyothsnaphanija Daniel Simpson, Daniel Sluman, Pia Taavila-Borsheim and Liz Whiteacre. The poetry books reviewed in the book reviews section reflects the increasing body of these poets work with new volumes by Sheila Black, Therése Halscheid and Daniel Simpson. Poets whose work appears for the first time in Wordgathering are Kevin Heaton, Jan Napier, Nick Pentzell, Vanessa Rainey, David Simpson, Jill Stein, Jessica Stokes and Roy White.

The increasing number of books by writers with disabilities is a welcome trend, so the editors are eager to let everyone know about what is new. In addition to the books by Black, Halscheid and Simpson mentioned above there are reviews of poetry by Nancy Scott and Creative Connections. The latter is a joint venture of poets and artists with disabilities in Western Australia. John Lee Clark is back with a collection of essays, Jay Dolmage has written what may be the definitive book on disability rhetoric, and Erika Madden offers a murder mystery – all reviewed in this issue. The Excerpts section samples a novel from Jennifer McRae, a play from Caitlin Hernandez, and a collection of interviews by Raymond Luczak. Luczak is also the subject of this issue's interview where he discusses the role of his press, Handtype Press, in the publication of work by deaf writers.

New fiction in this issue comes from Tim Allen, Greg Gibson and Sandy Olson-Hill, while Melissa Nichols, Nick Pentzell, Sean Mahoney and Nancy Scott (a different writer the Nancy Scott above) provide the essays. More detailed descriptions of these pieces are available by clicking on the Essays and Fiction links. Our Arts section includes film-related pieces by Kevin Gotkin and Raymond Luczak, a discussion of a play production by Cailtin Hernandez and a review of the Creative Connections art exhibition by Jan Napier.

Wordgathering continues with two features that ask guest editors to share their talents. The first, our Reading Loop, is managed by Jyothsnaphanija. She introduces readers to a number of Indian poets,including Sant Surdas, Raghunadhamma and Suryakamari Satyawada, Yasmin Sawheny, and Tito Mukhopadhyaya. The second feature is our new response feature where this journal ask writers with disabilities to respond to classic work depicting disability. This time around, apropros of the holiday season, the subject is Tiny Tim. The feature is edited by Ana Garza G'z and Adam Pottle. It includes work from Markie Burnhope, Barbara Crooker, Lizz Schumer and Lori-Ann Tessier.

As much as small publication like Wordgathering, Breath and Shadow, Kaleidoscope and Pentimento strive to put the issue of disability literature and writing before the public, when it comes to public exposure and recognition, there is very little substitute for seeing that work in a major publication. This month's Exchange feature in Poetry , that grande dame of poetry magazines, published a discussion by four friends and contributors to Wordgathering – Jennifer Bartlett, John Lee Clark, Jim Ferris, Jillian Weise. It is called "Disability and Poetry". Congratulations to them. (BTW readers can use the Author Index to check out the work of that those four writers – or any others – had published here and the Archives will allow them to read it.)

Wordgathering readers can follow us on Twitter at @wordgathering.com. We also maintain a presence on Facebook. Wordgathering continues to seek 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. The journal appreciates hearing from authors whose books are consistant with the mission of Wordgathering and would like them reviewed. We value our readers' opinions and hope you will send your comments, concerns or ideas to us at comments@wordgathering.com.

The Editors

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