The Happy Ending

A bouquet for Stacey Lynn Brown

There's a happy ending to Stacey Lynn Brown's book publication nightmare. This is just the ending I and so many others wanted for her. Another publisher has picked up her collection! Cradle Song will be published in January 2009 by C&R Press, a new press started by director Ryan G. Van Cleave and editor Chad Prevost. Although the press has only one title under its belt so far, I know Stacey is in very good hands. These are two very reputable poets.

C&R's first book is Michelle Bitting's Good Friday Kiss, winner of the 2007 De Novo Award, a contest judged by Thomas Lux. This book is available at the website. There is also an anthology, Breathe: 101 Contemporary Odes, coming soon. Also scheduled is the 2007 Open Series winner, Jon Veinberg's The Speed Limit of Clouds.

Submissions for the 2008 DeNova first book contest are being taken as are submissions for the open series. Guidelines are posted at the website. Note that the deadline for the De Novo contest is October 1. Deadline for the Open Series is November 29. The open series requires a reading fee of $20. Both contests give entrants a copy of a winning book as long as an SASE is included. I like it when you get something for your money.

Van Cleave is sticking to Stacey's original publication date of January 2009 so that she can proceed with already scheduled readings and other events. How nice and accommodating is that?

Sometimes things really do work out as they should.