YAK Tracks - YAK PRESS

Release of Mother Stump by Alexandra Donovan

Posted on July 16, 2018July 4, 2018

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming release of Mother Stump by Alexandra Donovan, the latest addition to the Native Blossoms Chapbook Series! Alexandra is a poet-teacher in the California Poet in the Schools program, and a volunteer chaplain. This is her debut collection.

Yak Press is so happy to welcome Alexandra Donovan to the Native Blossoms series that we’re offering free shipping on pre-orders of her chapbook through August 6, 2018! To pre-order a copy for yourself, click here. Pre-orders will be fulfilled on August 6, 2018, a week in advance of the official launch party, which will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena.

If you’d like to celebrate the release of Mother Stump with us, please join us for an afternoon tea and poetry reading at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena on Saturday, August 11, 2018 from 2:00-4:00 PM. Alexandra will read from her collection, along with readings by some of her poetry students, and special guest readers from the Native Blossoms Series: Nancy Carroll, Cindy Rinne, and CLS Ferguson.

As part of the Native Blossoms Chapbook Series, Alexandra‘s chapbook features a constraint poem “that takes the botanical name of a wildflower or other flora native to the poet’s locale as its title.” She has chosen to write about Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii), which is featured prominently on the book’s cover. Alexandra will be signing copies of her book, which will also be available for purchase at the event.

Here are the details:

What: Book Launch/Poetry Reading/Afternoon Tea for Alexandra Donovan’s Mother Stump
Where: All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101 map
When: Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 2:00 — 4:00 PM
Pre-Order: with free shipping through 8/6/18! Click here.
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/263942774360381/

Events and Appearances

Studio C hosts FREE poetry reading for the Native Blossoms series

Posted on May 7, 2018July 5, 2018

We had such a lovely time reading from the Native Blossoms Chapbook Series at Studio C last year during the Claremont Art Walk, that we’re doing it again this year! If you’re in the neighborhood, please drop in! There will be art on display in the gallery, and nature poetry being read aloud by Nancy Carroll, Anne Yale, Melisa Malvin-Middleton, Cindy Rinne, and CLS Ferguson.

This engaging cultural event is FREE, family-friendly, and open to the public! Please join us from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Sunday, May 20, 2018 at Studio C — 260 West Bonita Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711. Click here for directions.

Check it out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/191529794788232/

Come join us for a lovely afternoon of art and poetry!

Events and Appearances

Release of Tumbleweed: Against All Odds

Posted on March 16, 2018April 25, 2018

We are very excited to announce the release of Tumbleweed: Against All Odds by CLS Ferguson, the newest installment of the Native Blossoms Chapbook Series! A highly accomplished writer, performer, and speech instructor, this is CLS Ferguson’s second chapbook, and her fourth book of poetry.

Yak Press is so thrilled to offer CLS Ferguson’s work that we’re offering free shipping on pre-orders of her chapbook through April 30, 2018! To pre-order a copy for yourself, click here. Pre-orders will be fulfilled on April 30, 2018, a week in advance of the official launch, which will be held at Chevalier’s Books!

If you’d like to join us to celebrate the release of Tumbleweed: Against All Odds, please join us for the official book launch at Chevalier’s Books on Sunday, May 6, 2018 from 5:00-6:30 PM. CLS Ferguson will read from the collection, and will also be joined by special guest readers from the Native Blossoms Series: Nancy Carroll, Anne Yale, Melisa Malvin-Middleton, and Cindy Rinne.

As part of the Native Blossoms Chapbook Series, CLS Ferguson’s chapbook features a constraint poem “that takes the botanical name of a wildflower or other flora native to the poet’s locale as its title.” CLS has chosen to write about Manzanita, which is featured prominently on the book’s cover. CLS will be signing copies of the books, which will be available for purchase at the event.

Here are the details:

What: Book Launch/Poetry Reading for CLS Ferguson’s Tumbleweed: Against All Odds
Where: Chevalier’s Books, 126 North Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004 map
When: Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 5:00 — 6:30 PM
Pre-Order: with free shipping through 4/30/18! Click here.

New Releases

Listen to the Codex Release

Posted on June 22, 2017April 24, 2018

Yak Press is pleased to announce the release of Listen to the Codex by Cindy Rinne, the newest addition to the Native Blossoms Chapbook Series. A well-known poet who lives and writes about San Bernardino, California and environs, this is Cindy’s second chapbook, and her fourth book of poetry.

We’re so happy to welcome Cindy to the Native Blossoms family, that we’re offering free shipping on pre-orders of her chapbook through July 16, 2017! To pre-order a copy for yourself, click here. Pre-orders will be fulfilled on July 17, 2017, one week before the official launch, which will be held at Skylight Books!

If you’d like to join us to celebrate the release of Listen to the Codex, please join us for the official book launch at Skylight Books on Sunday, July 23, 2017 from 5:00-7:00 PM. Cindy Rinne will read, and will also be joined by special guest readers from the Native Blossoms Series, Nancy Carroll and Melisa Malvin-Middleton.

As part of the Native Blossoms Chapbook Series, Cindy’s chapbook features a constraint poem “that takes the botanical name of a wildflower or other flora native to the poet’s locale as its title.” Cindy has chosen to write about Black Sage, which is featured prominently on the book’s cover. Guests who purchase the book at the event will be entered to win some special “black sage” prize giveaways!

Here are the details:

What: Book Launch/Poetry Reading for Cindy Rinne’s Listen to the Codex
Where: Skylight Books, 1818 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 map
When: Sunday, July 23, 2017 at 5:00 — 7:00 PM
Pre-Order: http://www.yakpress.com/product/listen-to-the-codex/
Link to Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/379137339152354

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Events and Appearances

Hover the Bones Release

Posted on January 16, 2017January 24, 2017

Yak Press is very pleased to announce the release of Hover the Bones by Melissa Malvin-Middleton. This lovely collection is the fourth chapbook in the Native Blossoms Chapbook Series, and as such, completes the first “quartet.” A second quartet is forthcoming.

We’re so excited, we’re offering free shipping on pre-orders of the book through February 18, 2017! To pre-order your copy, click here. Pre-orders will be fulfilled starting February 11, 2017, one week before the official release.

If you’d like to join us in celebrating the release of Hover the Bones, we’re hosting a poetry reading featuring the books’ author, Melisa Malvin-Middleton, along with the other poets from the Native Blossoms series and some special guest poets at Neutra Institute in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, February 19, 2017 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM. Here are the details:

What: Poetry Reading for the release of Melisa Malvin Middleton’s Hover the Bones
Where: Neutra Institute, 2379 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90039 map
When: Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 2:00 — 5:00 PM
Pre-Order: http://www.yakpress.com/product/hover-the-bones/
Link to Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/578536362341594/

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Events and Appearances

“Guerilla” Activities for Poetry Month

Posted on April 14, 2016April 15, 2016

Another poetry month has rolled around, prompting the ever-present question: how can we get poetry into the hands of the people who need it most? “Bread in the pockets of the hungry,” as Mary Oliver put it, poems are as essential to our welfare as breathing. In chatting about this with Yak Press poet Brian Sonia-Wallace, who makes his living putting poems into the pockets of the hungry every day, the topic turned quickly to ideas of “guerilla” poetry activities. “Ever heard of yarn bombing?” I wondered, aloud, “We could try poem bombing.” I recalled a story I’d heard of a woman who printed up poems on slips of paper and stuffed them into the pockets of all the garments in a thrift store, for example. Then, there was the person who made up flyers, sort of like the kind you’d use to advertise a lost pet, (“Seen this poem?”) and plastered every lamp post, bus bench, and shop window within a ten-block radius.

We quickly realized, however, that since Brian plans to write poems from the steps of L.A. City Hall to share with passersby, the term poem “bombing” might not be the best choice of words. That it could warrant undesirable attention from the mayor’s security detail. That the NSA might not be too keen on the concept. Literary terrorists? Bad-ass, yes, but unlikely to secure arts funding.

But, the Academy of American Poets has already come up with another “guerilla” way to share poems: Poem in Your Pocket day, which happens Thursday, April 21 this year. The idea is to carry a poem in your pocket all day, and to share it randomly with whomever you encounter. Say, the cashier at the grocery store. Or, the person pumping gas next to you. Or your teachers. Or students. Anyone who’s hungry.

Here’s a “pocket” poem from Pressed Against All That Nothing by Cody Deitz that we invite you to carry around and share. You can also download a print copy here: HABIT OF THE WORLD_Pocket Poem

For more “bread” for the “pockets of the hungry,” check out our poetry catalog.

Events and Appearances

We’re Going to AWP!

Posted on February 19, 2016August 6, 2017

We’re really excited to be a first-time exhibitor at #AWP16! Held this year at the Los Angeles Convention Center from March 30 – April 2, 2016, The Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference really is, to put it bluntly, HUGE! With over 13,000 registered attendees, and hundreds of exhibitors, it’s kind of overwhelming! Drop in to chat with us at space 2144 and enter to win free books! We hope to see you there!

New Releases

Pressed Against All That Nothing – New Release

Posted on December 1, 2015

Yak Press is very pleased to announce its latest release with the publication of the third title in the Native Blossoms Chapbook Series: Pressed Against All That Nothing by Cody Deitz. The collection navigates landscapes — both internal and external, physical and metaphysical — as it chronicles a brother’s battle with addiction. The poems are poignant and stirring, and we find ourselves captured almost as if we’ve been overtaken by a flash flood, moved along with Deitz’ current of emotion, at once overwhelmed and hopeful, and carried through from the opening piece (offered below) to the final poem.

Events and Appearances

The Poetry Circus

Posted on August 26, 2015August 6, 2017

Come one! Come all! To the 2nd Poetry Circus at the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round, slated for Saturday, September 19th from 5:30 to 9:30 PM. This event is FREE, fun for the whole family, and open to the public! Featuring Luis J. Rodriguez, poet laureate of Los Angeles, an incredible lineup of 33 poets will read from their work—it’s a poetry ride! There will be haiku balloons, crafts for kids, a book fair, literary organizations, circus performers and free carousel rides. If you’ve ever wanted the chance to run away with the circus, this is it!

Yak Press is very pleased to announce the publication of The Poetry Circus Chapbook, a collection which offers one poem by each of the 33 poets/writers/performance artists destined to take us along on that poetry ride that is The Poetry Circus. Many of the poems are circus-themed, and all of them intoxicating. Available for purchase at the event, The Poetry Circus Chapbook will also serve as a “program” to guide the audience members through the evening’s progression of an astounding number of poets-as-circus-acts while they whirl through wild readings that promise to make all of our heads spin!

Here’s a map to help you find your way to the Poetry Circus:

Saturday, September 19, 2015
5:30 to 9:30 PM
Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round
4730 Crystal Springs Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027

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Events and Appearances

Night Walks Launch Party

Posted on June 25, 2014August 6, 2017

2014-04-13 Nancy Reading — Nancy Carroll reads from Night Walks, her new chapbook.

On Saturday, April 13, 2014, we held our first Native Blossoms Chapbook Series poetry reading and open mic to celebrate the launch of Night Walks by Nancy Carroll.

2014-04-13 Anne Reading — Anne Yale introduces the Native Blossoms Chapbook Series.

Held at the Republic of Pie in NoHo, the reading was a blast!

Ulrica Bell reads fantastic new work during the Open Mic.

Everyone had such a great time!

We definitely plan to continue.

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