The Buzz on the End of the World (Anthology)!

Yes, Buzzkill: Apocalypse - An End of the World Anthology was published, as predicted and promised, on summer solstice, June 21, 2012.  NightBallet has just finished printing out, assembling, and mailing the very last of the contributors' copies (there were 47 different contributors!), and has stockpiled a number of copies in readiness for those who order through this website.   We are already getting some feedback on the book.  :)

Yahia Lababidi, who has a wonderful two-page poem titled "I Wept for Creation" included in Buzzkill, sent this photo of himself with the anthology.  Steve Smith reports:  "We each got our copy of Buzzkill: Apocalypse yesterday.  Fine looking book.  We each read from it last night at NIA Coffee House.  Looking forward to reading the rest.  Thank you."  Mary Turzillo says "I am in love with this gorgeous anthology!  It is truly splendid.  And a poem from F. J. Bergmann and also one from David Brin, how excellent!  I do hope you've printed extra copies for sale- I will be buying some to send to Star*Line for review.  And now I must sit down and read, read, read it!"

To order your copy of Buzzkill: Apocalypse, just click on the "Buy now" icon beneath the book's photo in the right-side column of this webpage.  At only $10 (postage/handling included in the U. S.), it's a steal.   There are 80 pages of 52 poems, 2 short fictions, and 17 photographs from 26 Ohioans (home of NightBallet Press), 15 non-Ohioans (from NY to TX to CA), and 4 out-of-country (Canada, England, Australia) contributors!  Also included in the book are four pages of bios, so you'll know who's who.  You might feel like it's, er, the end of the world if you miss out on this fabulous collection!

To celebrate the publication of the anthology, NightBallet's editor has composed a very special- and very different- poem, "Countdown", about her version of the end of the world.  She'll be performing the poem for the very first time ever at the 4th Annual Poetry in the Park event, Saturday June 30, at Frontier Park in Erie, Pennsylvania.  The event runs from 2pm to 9pm (with Borsenik scheduled at 7:45pm)- hope to see you there!   Yes, she'll have copies of Buzzkill there for sale- plan on getting your copy before it's... too late!  ;)
                                      

The BUZZ on Buzzkill: Apocalypse- An End of the World Anthology!

Here it is... the first full day of summer, 2012... so what's the buzz on the Buzzkill anthology?  IT'S PUBLISHED!  Yes, NightBallet Press is very pleased and excited to present the official release of Buzzkill: Apocalypse- An End of the World Anthology!
And it's a whopper, with 80 pages full of catastrophic, apocalyptic poetry, short fiction, and photos from 47 different contributors from around the world! 

There are fourteen pieces written especially for the anthology, including new and exciting poems from George Wallace, Michael Salinger, bree, T. M. Göttl, Kathy Smith, Heather Ann Schmidt, Carolyn Srygley-Moore, Robert Miltner, mark kuhar, Debbie Goings, and Howard Hendrix.

Terry Provost submitted what he called his first concrete poetry- and it's Buzzkill's centerfold. 

Eric Anderson and David Brin wrote some very special short fiction for the anthology- brand new pieces never before seen!

(Brin, you may recall, wrote the wonderful novels Startide Rising and The Postman; his new novel Existence debuted Tuesday.)

NightBallet is enormously pleased that these poems and short fiction, which present everything from zombies (Anderson and Miltner) to devastation from the sky (Göttl) to acceptance, enlightenment,and hope for a better future (bree, Kathy Smith, Schmidt), are making their debut in Buzzkill!
 
I won't give away Brin's fictional slant. (*grin*)

There are 17 illustrating photos from gifted photographers Steven B. Smith, Chandra Alderman (her first published photos- and NightBallet is proud to debut her!), John Burroughs, Jacob Oet, Debbie Goings, Jen Pezzo, artist and studio-owner Amy Mothersbaugh Roos, and the world-renowned (16 year old) Eleanor Bennett.

Some great scripted scenarios start off the book in poems by J. E. Stanley, Geoffrey Landis, and Mary Turzillo.  Mike Finley shoots us with black holes.  Kevin Eberhardt, Russell Salamon, Ed Plunkett, Debbie Goings, Tina Puckett, Alexis-Rueal, Jacob Oet, J. R. Simons, Jay Passer, and Wolfgang Carstens offer tales of rain, rapture, resignation, acceptance, celebration, horror and rebirth.  Clarissa Jakobsons and Robert Smith focus on the moon.  Mark Jordan intones a tale as only an actor can.  Yahia Lababidi, Steven B. Smith, MaxWell Shell, Juan Manuel Perez, Jen Pezzo, Susan Moeller, and F. J. Bergmann each tell of apocalypse in their own unique ways.  The end of the world as seen through Death's eyes is explored by John Burroughs, Lyn Lifshin (her poem "Obituary" is previously unpublished anywhere), and S. A. Griffin (who co-edited The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry).  Charles Lovecraft destroys Australia.  Howard Hendrix is represented by a delightful little song of doom.  Chansonette Buck and R. L. Raymond "burn" with "white hot fear". 

And last but certainly not least, Steve Brightman and John Burroughs take us far into the future and far into space as we "hang our dying arms out the window and drive" and "give the Milky Way a long kiss goodbye"....

These wondrous works of science-fictional dreaming and speculation are not to be missed!  So how, you ask, might you obtain a copy of this book?  Why, right here on the website!  Buzzkill : Apocalypse is only $10 (postage paid in the US; outside the US, the postage costs are just too prohibitive), and is available for immediate shipping, so don't delay- order your copy now!  You never know if the world might end early, and you don't want to lose out on this limited-edition opportunity!  They'll even make great Christmas gifts in December... if the world's still here after December 21st.  Heh heh. 

Stay tuned in the coming days for more tasty tidbits about the making of Buzzkill: Apocalypse... a "behind the scenes" look at the writers and photographers, the poems, short stories, and pics, that make up the anthology. 

It's Official- Lyn Lifshin's newest book is published!

NightBallet Press is thrilled to present the work of the legendary Lyn Lifshin in a brand-new, book length collection titled Knife Edge and Absinthe- The Tango Poems.

           

When Lyn and I originally spoke about doing a "tango chap" for her, I had no idea I would receive three manuscripts full of dozens and dozens of tango poems, nor that I would have such a difficult time choosing which ones to include and which ones to omit from the collection.  Lifshin's work is brilliant.  This final NightBallet selection of 54 poems represents the body of those manuscripts, matching and interweaving themes of throbbing sensuality, knife-edged freedom, and the absinthe of losing one's self in the act of dance.

This is, to date, the longest book published by NightBallet Press, with 60 pages printed on a soft ivory paper.  Be sure to order your copy of this limited edition book of poems by the "Queen of the Small Presses", the one and only Lyn Lifshin, now!

Visit Lyn Lifshin's website at www.lynlifshin.com to learn more about this exciting poet.

Special thanks to Vlad Swirynsky for his help in obtaining the ISBN and barcode for this book- you rock, Vlad!

NEWS NEWS NEWS

NightBallet Press has been busy this merry month of May!  Here's a promised NEWS UPDATE:

Lyn Lifshin's new book of poems, Knife Edge & Absinthe- The Tango Poems, is the first full-length book of poems we're publishing (60 pages), and with 54 tango poems included, it's a fantastic read. The only reason it's not out already is that we're waiting on an ISBN and bar code.  (I'd love to be able to have those for EVERY publication we do, but it's simply not feasible financially.  Yet.)  As soon as those are in place, we'll be formally announcing publication.  The book ROCKS.  You can preorder your copy through PayPal right here on this website.  Lyn says anticipation is very high, and we already have a reviewer, as well.  There will be a limited number of copies, so don't wait to order!

Next up, a double lovesmack of poetry from revered poet Russell Salamon, whose chap Black Rainbow: All the Colors are Still There is next in the queue, and from Buzzkill: Apocalypse- An End of the World Anthology, due out June 21st.  Buzzkill will also be a full-length NightBallet publication, and it's going to be the longest one yet, at a staple-busting 72 pages!  We cannot tell you how much fun it's been, working with over 40 different poets and photographers to bring the end of the world to you!

Since NightBallet wants to keep on schedule with Lyn's book, Russell's book, and the promised publication date of June 21-Summer Solstice for the Buzzkill anthology, NBP won't be getting out to as many local poetry readings for the next few weeks.  But you can still get your poetry buzz on by ordering NightBallet chaps through PayPal right here on this site.  Stock up for summer!  Poetry's the PERFECT thing to read while you're sitting by the pool, resting from the mowing, chilling on the patio... ;)

WOO HOO! GEORGE WALLACE is HARD STUFF!

Woo hoo and howdy do to YOU!  April is National Poetry Month, and NightBallet Press has been celebrating all month long, with a good number of delectable publications.  Now, we leave April with a BANG:
New York poet George Wallace's brand new chap of audacious, outrageous, ambrosial poetry, the hard stuff is officially published!

Featuring 36 pages of poetry, the hard stuff covers everything from "easy money" to "an american education", and everything from "subway music" to a "toolbox of desire"!  If you've never experienced George Wallace, now is the time.  This is his 25th chapbook of poetry, and the 2nd by NightBallet Press (sleeping beauty's revenge was the first NBP chapbook by Wallace).  the hard stuff is available through PayPal right here on this website, for only $5 plus $2 s/h!

George Wallace will be doing a very special reading in the Cleveland area on Friday, May 11, 2012, where he will be reading from both sleeping beauty's revenge and the hard stuff, among others.  This reading, sponsored by Clevelanders Russ Vidrick and Charlotte Mann, will be at The Gypsy Beans and Baking Company, 6425 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, at 7pm.  The last time Wallace read in Cleveland was during the Tres Versing the Panda event in May of 2009, so you won't want to miss out on this wonderful and rare opportunity.  NightBallet Press will be there.. yes, with copies of the hard stuff and sleeping beauty's revenge!

Many thanks to all the poets and poetry lovers who have celebrated along with NightBallet during this official National Month of Poetry- Poetry lives, poetry rocks!

"You should always be trying to write a poem you are unable to write, a poem you lack the technique, the language, the courage to achieve. Otherwise you're merely imitating yourself, going nowhere, because that's always easiest." - John Berrryman
"We are one species. We are starstuff." - Carl Sagan

NightBallet at Hessler Street Fair 2012!

Vertigo Xavier of Poets' Haven and John Burroughs of Crisis Chronicles Press have both already announced the great news: Poets' Haven, Crisis Chronicles Press, Writing Knights, and NightBallet Press will come together at this year's Hessler Street Fair in Cleveland on May 19 and 20, 2012!

We'll have tables full of delicious chaps for your perusal, delectation, and acquisition.  George Wallace's new chap the hard stuff will be published on May 5th (in time for his Cleveland visit May 11th), and we'll have it at Hessler, along with all the chaps that have been published by NBP to date.   NightBallet also plans to have at least two more new chaps out by then- one, by the prolific and fantastic poet Lyn Lifshin.

Check out the fair here:  Hessler Street Fair 2012... and the weekend of May 19-20, be sure to stop by and say hello!

A big thank you to VX for working out the details and making it possible.  We'll post more news of the event as it gets closer to the date.   

HOT OFF THE PRESS! MAP WRAPPING PAPER CRADLE DANGLER by Kara Johnston!

Hot off the press today- a new chapbook of poetry by Kara Johnston:  Map Wrapping Paper Cradle Dangler!

Kara Johnston, a recent graduate of Kent State University, has been called "a terrific young poet (whose) attention to sound and image and collaged narrative is sometimes breathtaking" by Robert Miltner.  NightBallet agrees with him- Johnston weaves a sensitive and quietly sensual thread of ocean, seashells, sunlight, and love throughout her poems in Map Wrapping Paper Cradle Dangler.
The cover features a photo taken by Bonné de Blas, whose own chapbook of poetry, The Act of Dwelling, is forthcoming from NightBallet Press.

Beginning today, Map Wrapping Paper Cradle Dangler is available through PayPal right here on the NightBallet Press website- order your copy today!   You won't be sorry.  I was spellbound from the moment I began reading the manuscript.  :)

ONLY 2 WEEKS LEFT UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD!

ONLY 2 WEEKS LEFT UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD! 

Until the "end of the world" Buzzkill: Apocalypse submissions of poetry, flash fiction, and photos are due, that is... the deadline is May Day, May 1st, 2012.  What are your visions of apocalypse? Catastrophe? Cataclysm? Climate change? Alien invasion? Biohazard or germ warfare? Radiation? Rogue asteroids?  Don't delay!  Send your submission in an email (with "submission, your name" in the subject line) to nightballetpress@gmail.com.

All submissions will be read, and the decision to include works will be based on subject relevance and merit, so previously-unpublished poets have just as much chance for inclusion as veteran writers.  Photos must indicate, in some way, the theme of "end of the world'.

Notifications of acceptance will be sent after the May 1st deadline.  Confirmed contributors so far include science fiction luminaries Geoffrey Landis and James J. E. Stanley, artist-photographers Eleanor Bennett and Amy Mothersbaugh Roos, and celebrated poets Lyn Lifshin, Robert Miltner, and George Wallace, with many more surprises in store.

Publication is scheduled for summer solstice, June 21st, 2012.

Friday the 13th- Zach Ashley Is POETICALLY INCORRECT!

We are allllmost on the third week of National Poetry Month, and the celebration here at NightBallet Press continues with the publication of Zach Ashley's Poetically Incorrect! 

Michigan performance poet Zach Ashley has long been known for his outrageous, hilarious, and magnificently performed tirades on getting a flu shot, finding the colors in his rainbow, hearing voices, and explaining his guardian angel.  An announcement that he's going to make an appearance always generates frissons of anticipation and excitement.  Now, you can experience Zach a whole new way:  Poetically Incorrect contains 18 of Zach's "greatest hits", as well as a list of links to online live performances.  Don't miss out on the excitement- order your copy today!

Second Week of National Poetry Month!

The second week of National Poetry Month here at NightBallet Press begins with the announcement and unveiling of the first four broadsides in the 2012 Series! 

The entire 2012 Series will be available for sale through PayPal at the end of the year. However, if you absolutely cannot wait (and who could blame you? These poems are fantastic!), NightBallet has figured out a way to make these first four broadsides available to you right away. Buy any NightBallet chapbook, and I will include these first four broadsides in the order free of charge. This is a limited-time offer, good only until the next batch of broadsides are announced.

The first four broadsides are:

"La Seducción en Español" by Skylark Bruce  (This delightful performance poem written in English and Spanish will thrill you with its musical wordplay! Canton, Ohio poet Skylark Bruce comes across as both naughty and nice in this first broadside in the 2012 Series. For a sophisticated chuckle, grab a Spanish dictionary and get bilingual with Bruce. And you simply MUST try to catch a live reading of this poem!)

"Of Ashes and Dreams"/"Dike 14" by Miles Budimir (Written with Cleveland in mind, and with a nod to dan smith's poem "I Am Down With You, Crooked River", these two poems, "Of Ashes and Dreams" and "Dike 14", are a must-read for any northern Ohio denizen. Miles Budimir's clear, narrative style will grab your heart and not let go. Thanks to John Burroughs for the cover photo.)

"Contradance", a collaborative poem by Shelley Chernin, Joshua Gage, T. M. Göttl, Geoffrey Landis, and J. E. Stanley (This is NightBallet's first broadside to feature a collaborative poem. Written at Cleveland Poetics by (alphabetically) Shelley Chernin, Joshua Gage, T. M. Göttl, Geoffrey Landis, and J. E. Stanley, this poem is a stunning display of five fine poets working together to achieve a strange beauty. Science fictional in tone and masterfully structured, "Contradance" is not to be missed. Thanks to Steven B. Smith for the cover photo.)

and a mini-collection of musical tribute poems titled "Noteworthy Travelin'", by Renay Sanders ("Noteworthy Travelin'"), John Burroughs ("No More Dark Horse" and "Danger Cruise"), Jane Rosenberg LaForge ("Rock Star Watching"), and J. E. Stanley ("Wayfaring Pilgrim" and "Humbuckers").  (This broadside is another first for NightBallet Press, with a (very) short collection of poems written on the subject of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, and the rock-n-rollers who make the music happen. Featuring a wonderful poem by Renay Sanders, "Noteworthy Travelin'", two insightful "rock-ku" by John Burroughs, and tribute poems by New Yorker Jane Rosenberg LaForge and Ohioan J. E. Stanley, this one-time, one-of-a-kind broadside pays homage to the Hall of Fame induction festivities taking place in Cleveland, Ohio during the month of April.)


With a projected total of 12 broadsides in the series, NightBallet promises to satisfy every possible poetic taste with outstanding poems by a broad spectrum of diverse poets. Stay tuned for more announcements!


Note:  The poets in the collaborative poem "Contradance" have been listed alphabetically.  If you wish a "key" to which poets wrote which lines in "Contradance", send a request to nightballetpress@gmail.com, and I'll email it to you.  Thanks to J. E. Stanley for providing the key!