Jennifer K. Sweeney - James Laughlin Award Winner

Congratulations to friend of Third Coast Jennifer K. Sweeney for winning the 2009 James Laughlin Award of the Academy of American Poetry for her second book How to Live on Bread and Music. Jennifer's beautiful first book, Salt Memory, won the 2006 Main Street Rag Poetry Book Award, and we here at Third Coast can't wait to read her new work.

Mark Irwin writes:

“In Jennifer K. Sweeney’s How to Live on Bread and Music we discover words that weigh the earth carefully and sing it into existence for this poet knows ‘song is the yeast / when the body wants.’ Her poetry is ‘pained with sensation’ and has the power to transform the reader, to resurrect dandelions from a field of armor.”

Summer Reading (Presidential Style)

Thanks to Brian for pointing me towards Swampland Blog's report of President Obama's summer reading list, which includes the following:

• The Way Home, by George Pelecanos
• Hot, Flat, and Crowded, by Tom Friedman
• Lush Life, by Richard Price
• Plainsong, by Kent Haruf
• John Adams, by David McCullough

It makes me glad that our president reads.

Lexi Rudnitsky First Book Prize

"The Lexi Rudnitsky First Book Prize (formerly the Lexi Rudnitsky Poetry Prize) is a collaboration between Persea Books and The Lexi Rudnitsky Poetry Project. It sponsors the annual publication of a poetry collection by an American woman poet who has yet to publish a full-length book of poems. The winner receives an advance of $1,000.00 and publication of her collection by Persea.

In addition, beginning this year, the winner receives the option of an all-expenses-paid residency at the Civitella Ranieri Center, a renowned artists retreat housed in a fifteenth-century castle in Umbertide, Italy."

And really, who doesn't want to write at a castle in Italy?

New Issues Summer's End Celebration

Third Coast will be heading over to Bell's Eccentric Cafe on Sunday, August 30th, from 2-6pm, for a Summer’s End Celebration & Gala Fundraiser hosted by New Issues Press.  Looks like a great way to soak up some late summer fun! As the New Issues blog notes:

"New Issues poets and Michigan writers John Rybicki, Heather Sellers,David Dodd Lee, Diane Seuss, and Jamie D’Agostino will read briefly from their poetry. The inimitable Bonnie Jo Campbell will serve as auctioneer for a variety of excellent paintings, rarities, and hilarities.Whiskey Before Breakfast will perform traditional Irish dance music."

Copies of the latest issue of Third Coast, which includes new fiction by celebration auctioneer Bonnie Jo Campbell, will also be available. 

If you're in the Kalamazoo area, come on down to Bell's Eccentric Cafe, enjoying the readings, and be sure to introduce yourselves to our editors!  

Announcing the 2010 Fiction and Poetry Contest

Third Coast is accepting work from now till December 1st, 2009 for our 2010 Fiction and Poetry Contest.  This years judges are Ann Beattie (Fiction) and David Wojahn (Poetry). 

All entrants receive a complimentary subscription to the journal.   Winners receive $1000 and publication in Third Coast.  To enter, send 1 short story or up to 3 poems with a $15 entry fee to: 

Third Coast 2010 Fiction or Poetry Contest

Department of English

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5331

Check out our contests page for complete details!