I fear that I’m beginning to sound like a big Red Hen Press cheerleader, but given that I’m an employee of sorts and a friend of the owners, I guess that’s ok.  (Plus RHP pretty much all around rocks.)

This past weekend, they were in New York for a series of readings and their joint anniversary party with Rattle.  I was able to go to the events both Friday and Saturday night, and had a great time.  Friday night was a reading at the very dark, very red, and very fabulous KGB Bar in the East Village.  The four readers included Ernest Hilbert, Elise Paschen, Tim Green, and Greg Sanders.  It was a crush – standing room only – and the reading lived up to its promise.  It was one of those readings that really lights a fire under my…uh, that inspires me to write.  I had something of a breakthrough as I was listening, with regard to my own manuscript and what it needs to be what I want it to be.  Am going to be working like a fiend for the summer with the goal of having it as close to the vision in my head as I can get it by fall.

Saturday was the Red Hen/Rattle party at the Telephone Bar, and the highlight of that was having a long conversation with Rattle editor Tim Green, who likes physics as much as I do.  I personally think poetry and science make perfect sense together.  Like peanut butter and jelly.  Plus, I rather admire Tim’s new book American Fractal.

After the party, we dragged Red Hen Editor in Chief, Kate Gale, out for dinner and drinks.  A good, raucous time was had, and we were out until the last train back to Jersey, so I’m calling it a success.  How Kate felt on her early flight the next morning, I have no idea.  Heh.

Work for LA Review is going swimmingly.  Thanks to all of you who have submitted.  We are highly impressed with the quality of the work coming in.  You’re making it very easy to put together something special.