BOA Blog

Cutbank Literary Magazine recently reviewed Deborah Brown's Poulin Prize winning book Walking the Dog's Shadow.  Reviewer Mike Walker praises the strength of Brown's poems stating, "They stand up - they have a feeling of age and gravity to them, of footing secure and robust."  He writes that her work, centered around truth, is both intimate and powerful.  Recalling memories of old high school english teachers who taught that poetry opens doors to new worlds, Walker says, "Deborah Brown makes good on that promise.  She really does open those doors, the doors to the life of a middle-aged woman who connects with family near and far through her words, the doors...

BOA translator Brian Henry has been named Zoland Poetry's first featured poet as a part of their Omniglot Series.  Along with some of Henry's own poetry, Zoland provides excerpts from Henry's translation of The Book of Things by Aleš Šteger.   Zoland Poetry is an annual of contemporary writing that "serves to unite the world of literature by reconfiguring the border between domestic and international poetry." Read more about Brian Henry and Zoland Poetry here

BOA authors Matthew Shenoda and Cecilia Woloch will be reading at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.  The festival, to be held on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1, attracts more than 140,000 readers each year.  Shenoda and Woloch's session is scheduled for Sunday at 12:00 PM on the Poetry Stage and is followed by a book signing.  The Festival of Books is a free public event on the USC campus and is perfect for all ages.  Shenoda's first collection of poetry was named one of 2005's debut books of the year by Poetry & Writer's Magazine.  His most recent book Seasons of Lotus, Seasons of Bone was published by BOA in 2009. ...

[caption id="attachment_1038" align="alignnone" width="241" caption="Barbara Jane Reyes. BOA Poet. Photo by Peter Dressel."][/caption] Commonwealth Club recently announced the finalists to their California Book Awards. Included among the finalists is Barbara Jane Reyes’s Diwata. The award goes to work of exceptional literary merit by California writers and publishers. The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum, bringing together its more than 18,000 members for over 400 annual events on topics ranging across politics, culture, society and the economy. Founded in 1903, The Commonwealth Club has played host to a diverse and distinctive array of speakers,...

As the 10th annual A. Poulin, Jr. contest comes to a close, we are preparing for the next. BOA Editions is excited to announce that the judge for the 11th annual A. Poulin, Jr. contest will be Cornelius Eady! Cornelius Eady was born in Rochester, NY.  He along with Toi Derricote co-founded Cave Canem, a cultural institution whose importance can hardly be understated. Cave Canem is a non-profit organization that serves black poets of diverse backgrounds and has been an essential part of the literary landscape. Cornelius Eady is the recipient of the Prairie Schooner Strousse Award, a Lila Wallace-Reader's...