Ryder Poetry Postponed to June, Reading Still Set for April 23

Time marches on. We may recall from earlier this month (cf. March 3), [t]he Ryder Magazine and Film Series is once again partnering with the Writers Guild at Bloomington, this time for a special poetry issue of the magazine. The street date of the print issue will be April – National Poetry Month – the the poems will be available in the online edition as well. Poems will be selected by Tony Brewer. So went the call and, about a month later the result of my submission, that two of three poems I’d sent had been accepted, the issue to be published April 18, with a public reading as well five days later, on the 23rd.

But world events happen and word came today: The poetry issue has been postponed until June. The reason, to free the RYDER to publish a special issue on Ukraine. But the message continued. Regardless, there still will be a reading Saturday, April 23 at 4pm at the polar bear sculptures in front of MCPL. Everyone in the issue is welcome to read a poem and there will be a couple of special guests. This event is co-sponsored by MCPL and they are providing everything: a PA, chairs, and snacks. And not only that, but a second reading has been suggested for Morgenstern’s Books sometime in June specifically to launch the issue.

Thus both poems will still be published albeit two months late, and one at least still to be read in April, which gives a choice. Which do readers prefer: vampires or zombies? The zombie poem is a wise-guy retort to the New Hampshire state motto, “Live Free of Die,” titled “Don’t Always Believe Everything You Read.” Perhaps sound advice for this time in history. While the other, titled “The Vampiress’ Soliloquy,” is a fun fantasy romp through Shakespeare.

In any event, the one not read in April (assuming only one poem to a reader) will probably be the one I’ll read in June, more details on which to be here when they’re known.