The Talking of Hands: Unpublished Writing by New Rivers Press Authors - Softcover

9780898231991: The Talking of Hands: Unpublished Writing by New Rivers Press Authors

Softcover

ISBN 10: 089823199X ISBN 13: 9780898231991

Publisher: New Rivers Press, 1998

Poetry/Fiction Anthology, with an introduction by David Haynes and a history of New Rivers Press by the publisher, C.W. Truesdale. Created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of New Rivers Press, this anthology includes previously unpublished work by 59 writers who have had books published by New Rivers. Some might imagine this collection, writes David Haynes, as the inviting scent of fresh baked bread, beckoning them into their favorite trattoria for a sumptuous meal, that meal being the rich archive of poetry and prose that stands behind what you read here...I see our anniversary edition as much like the dazzling couple straggling out of a party at dawn, passing you on the sidewalk headed to work as they announce, `You'll never believe what you've missed' (from the Introduction). Delightful in itself as an anthology, but also serving as an important reference to the books New Rivers has made available to the reading public, this is one not to miss.

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Editors' Note: Several years ago, we realized at New Rivers Press that our thirtieth anniversary was fast approaching, and that if we wanted to celebrate the event appropriately-given the time lag endemic to small press publishing-we would have to begin arranging for it with all due haste. What to do? We mulled over the question, thinking first of an anthology drawn from the many books new Rivers has published over the years-but to be honest, the task of going through all these publications, and choosing material to fit within three hundred pages (our self-imposed limit, the weight of a good-sized book on one's lap), was too daunting to face.

And, on the other hand, the notion of putting out a call for manuscripts, without any constraint save a sense of celebration, was too daunting as well, since from past experience we were familiar with the massive number of submissions that would likely land on our doorstep. So we figured that we could, to set a manageable limit, approach only people who had published a book with New Rivers, and ask each of them for a submission. Furthermore, we determined that we would be asking these writers for previously unpublished work only, thereby stressing the "new" in our name: nothing warmed-over in this collection.

As a result of this solicitation, we received prose and poetry from over a hundred authors. It's a testament to Publisher Truesdale's good taste over the years that we had the unfathomably hard time we did rationing our acceptances to fit into three hundred pages. Even given our preselection process-book-length authors only need apply-we editors fought each other tooth and claw over what to include, what to leave out. However, the cost and weight of paper was something that like Atlas we had to balance on our shoulders, and you are left, dear readers one and all, with what you now hold in your hands.

Speaking for all of the staff at New Rivers, we editors wish you good reading. Indeed, we wish you thirty more years of good reading. And another thirty beyond that. Shortly thereafter, God willing (as grandmothers are wont to say), New Rivers Press will celebrate its centennial.

Now there's a daunting thought.

Review:

Eating Persimmons by Stephen Ajay
Dividing The Dark Into Parcels by Patricia Barone
Ending With Open Hands by Patricia Barone
Carnival Street by Sigrid Bergie
Sun Worship by James Bertolino
My Parents' Tombstone by Ron Block
The Snow Queen by Ron Block
Flying Home by Madelyn Camrud
Nordland by Madelyn Camrud
The Monkey's Children by Siv Cedering
Countdown by Victor Contoski
Hemispheres by Barbara Crow
Journeys by Barbara Crow
Idol Construction by Heid E. Erdrich
Driving Home After The Funeral by Susan Firer
In The Burrito by Diane Glancy
Still, Falling by Penny Harter
Bean Fields by Margaret Hasse
To An Orange Cat by John Herschel
Unnatural Acts by Greg Hewett
Aftermath by Judith Hougen
What Speaks To Me Now by Judith Hougen
I Call The Hill by Susu Jeffrey
After D.h. Lawrence by Deborah Keenan
Morning Report On Health by Nicholas Kolumban
How Bad News Comes by Debra Marquart
Older Sister by Debra Marquart
Whew by Roger Mitchell
Something In The Spring Mud by Michael Moos
Frame Of Reference by Yvette Nelson
Gestures To Be Performed From A Balcony by Kathryn Nocerino
Fribble by Sheryl Noethe
The Meteora by Theresa Pappas
Simply Huge by Carol J. Pierman
Cooking Ralphs Free Turkey, December 11 by Holly Prado
Free Turkey-ralphs Supermarket, November 16 by Holly Prado
November Poem by Rochelle Ratner
Some Places Out West by John Reinhard
Someone Else by Gail Rixen
Sonny's Stand by Gail Rixen
A New Zealand Elegy by Mary Kay Rummel
Geography by Vern Rutsala
Taking The Old Road by Vern Rutsala
Issei, The Japanese Lady by Jessica Kawasuna Saiki
The Shed by Thomas R. Smith
The Franklin Ave. Bridge by Madelon Sprengnether
Mars And Venus, After Botticelli by Madelon Sprengnether
Summer Of '94 by Robert Vandermolen
Gifts by Mark Vinz
Manners by Mark Vinz
The Hammer by Connie Wanek
Peaches by Connie Wanek
The Last Firefly by Elizabeth Zelvin
Loss by Patricia Zontelli
Signals by Patricia Zontelli
-- Table of Poems from Poem Finder�

In keeping with the spirit of New Rivers' publication history, there is something here for everyone: poetry, short story, memoir, a few pieces that can't be categorized neatly, and one very funny satire. The diverse subject matter and tone will make this highly readable collection accessible to a wide variety of readers. . . . This fine collection is a fitting tribute to the 30-year history of New Rivers Press -- St. Paul Pioneer Press, September, 1998

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