CCA News
Writing Chair Joseph Lease Honored -- Inclusion in "Postmodern American Poetry: A Norton Anthology"
Posted on Monday, September 5, 2011, by Jim Norrena
Congratulations are in order for MFA Program in Writing chair Joseph Lease, who will have several selected poems published in his latest book of poetry, Testify (Coffee House Press, 2011) included in the forthcoming second edition of *Postmodern American Poetry: A Norton Anthology".
"Broken World (For James Assatly)” and "Send My Roots Rain" have each been selected to appear in the second edition of this vitally important collection of poetry. Regarding his latest literary accomplishment: "I am very grateful," said Lease, who is also the author of Broken World, Human Rights, and The Room. His poems have been featured on NPR and published in or selected for The AGNI 30th Anniversary Poetry Anthology, VQR, Bay Poetics, Paris Review, and The Best American Poetry.
From New Pages book reviews: “[Testify] is a culmination of the poetic gestures and lyric voice he has been developing since The Room and it solidifies his position as one of the more striking voices of his generation. . . . Testify is, in a sense, Joseph Lease’s testimony of being an American in America at this precise moment in time. This is a document -- a mantra even -- which verges on the holy. . . . Invoking the language of what is at stake forces us to participate in the discourse surrounding it-- and this book tells us that our testimony, like its own, is necessary.” Read additional reviews »
Postmodern American Poetry: A Norton Anthology (first edition), edited by Paul Hoover (W. W. Norton & Company, 1994), provides a deep and wide selection of poems by the major poets and movements of the late twentieth century. As stated on the poets.org website: "The Norton anthologies comprise a mammoth resource for and an unparalleled guidebook to the spectacular history of poetry in English."
About W. W. Norton & Company
W. W. Norton & Company is the oldest and largest publishing house owned wholly by its employees. Established in 1923 the publisher remains committed to the goal of its founders to "publish books not for a single season, but for the years" in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, college textbooks, cookbooks, art books, and professional books.
For years, Norton has been known for its distinguished publishing programs in both the trade and the college textbook areas. Early in its history Norton entered the fields of philosophy, music, and psychology, publishing acclaimed works by Bertrand Russell, Paul Henry Lang, and Sigmund Freud (as his principal American publisher). W. W. Norton & Company now publishes about 400 books annually in hardcover and paperback. Read more »
Accomplishment Arrives in Time for Program's 10th Anniversary
The timing couldn't be more fitting; CCA's MFA Program in Writing will acknowledge its tenth anniversary later this month, including a special weekend-long celebration that will feature past and present chairs, faculty, staff, and students—all gathered for readings, book signing, author talks, and much more. See event details »
September: Special Event at Moe's in Berkeley
Mark your calendars for 100 Poets For Change (a special poetry flash reading) at Moe's in Berkeley on Saturday, September 24, at 7 p.m. This special event features not one, not two, but three Writing faculty members: Gloria Frym, who will read from her latest book of poetry, Mind Over Matter; Joseph Lease will read from "Testify"; and Donna de la Perrière will read from her second book of poems, Saint Erasure. Read more »
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