mnartists.org Publishes Poetry Anthology Featuring Works by 27 Minnesota Poets

“This generous collection of poetry includes writers of great sophistication and experience, as well as exciting poets relatively new to the craft.” —Connie Wanek, winner of the Witter Bynner Fellowship in poetry

In conjunction with mnartists.org’s April release of the poetry anthology What Light, a book launch and reading will take place on Sunday, April 15, from 5–7 pm, at Lucia’s Bakery, 1432 West 31st Street, and at Magers & Quinn Booksellers on 31st and Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis. What Light contributing poets will read from their work. Edited by poet and critic Lightsey Darst and showcasing the work of 27 Minnesota poets, the book features such esteemed poets as Anna George Meek, Ryan Vine, Jen March, Robert Buchko, Joyce Sutphen, Cass Dalglish, and Thom Swiss. Cover art for the book was provided by Michael James Lawrence with illustrations by Lisa Bergh, both mnartists.org members. What Light is on sale for $12 through mnartists.org and Magers & Quinn Booksellers, with all proceeds from online sales and 50 percent of sales from Magers & Quinn going toward mnartists.org programming to support Minnesota poets.

Many of the poems in the anthology come from the original weekly online poetry series “What Light: This Week’s Poem” on mnartists.org, launched during National Poetry Month in April 2006, and sponsored by Magers & Quinn Booksellers. Darst and mnartists.org editor Ann Klefstad coordinate the series, posting a new poem every Monday on mnartists.org and magersandquinn.com, along with a profile of the poet.

An open call to all Minnesota poets results in hundreds of submissions for the series. The winning poems in 2006 were selected by an esteemed group of judges, including poets Wang Pin, Ray Gonzalez, Cindra Ham, Alex Lemon, Lorena Duarte, and John Colburn. Other notable judges have been Chris Fischbach, Senior Editor for Coffee House Press; Julie Bates,
Literary Programs Manager for Intermedia Arts; and Emily Cook with Milkweed Editions. With the publication of What Light, mnartists.org has opened another door for Minnesota writers, and for readers, a window into the world of Minnesota poetry.