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Grant helps WMU literary press publish local poetry

Oct. 3, 2008

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's New Issues Poetry and Prose has been awarded a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs to support the publication of works by Michigan poets.

New Issues, a literary publisher at WMU, has been awarded a $9,000 grant to support the publication of three new titles in the Inland Seas Poetry Series. The three titles, each by poets who live in Michigan or who have strong Michigan connections, will be published in 2008-09. The book titles and their authors are:

  • "Talking Diamonds," a new book of poetry by Linda Nemec Foster, former Poet Laureate of Grand Rapids, Mich.
  • "Beauty Breaks In," a fourth collection of poetry by Mary Ann Samyn, author of two other Inland Seas titles, "Inside the Yellow Dress" and "Purr."
  • "Hilarity," a third book of poems by Detroit-native Patty Seyburn, winner of New Issues' 2008 Green Rose Prize in Poetry.

"A comment we've heard at conferences is that Michigan really takes care of its own writers," says Marianne Swierenga, New Issues managing editor. "New Issues believes strongly in supporting one of Michigan's most precious resources--its poets and authors."

To date, MCACA has supported the publication of more than 50 books as part of New Issues' Inland Seas Series. The council serves to encourage, develop and facilitate an enriched environment of artistic, creative and cultural activity in Michigan.

For more information, contact Marianne Swierenga, managing editor, at new-issues@wmich.edu.

Media contact: Mark Schwerin, (269) 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu

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