• Uncategorized

    • San Gabriel Valley Literary Festival

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    We are ecstatic! The poets of Yak Press have been invited to share their work at the 2019 San Gabriel Valley Literary Festival, San Gabriel Valley Lit Festto be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019 from 12:00 noon until 6:30 PM at the dA Center for the Arts located at 252 S. Main Street in Pomona, CA 91766. Nancy Carroll heads up our contingent of readers, starting at 3:00 PM, followed by Native Blossoms Chapbook Series authors Cindy Rinne, CLS Ferguson, Melisa Malvin-Middleton, and Anne Yale. Rounding out the Yak Press line up is the world-famous “RENT” poet, Brian Sonia-Wallace.

    But that’s not all! We’re thrilled to be sharing the stage with some pretty outstanding voices in contemporary poetry, including John Brantingham, Grant Hier, Bronwyn Mauldin, Chad Sweeney, Ruth Nolan, and liz gonzalez. And to cap off the day, Kevin Ridgeway, Matt Sedillo, and Tony Barnstone will be reading, as well. The day will also include an art show to kick off the California Imagist Project.

    Kudos to John Brantingham, poet laureate of Sequoia and Kings National Parks, for organizing a day full of arts and literature. This event is FREE and open to the public. What a great way to celebrate National Poetry Month!

    Doors open at 11:00 AM, and the art show will be available and poetry readings taking place until the event closes at 6:30 PM.

    Come join us for some free, family-friendly fun!

     

  • Uncategorized

    • Release of Lovelier Than Dirt by Deborah Blakely Averill

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    Poems by Deborah Blakely AverillYak Press is pleased to announce the release of Lovelier Than Dirt by Deborah Blakely Averill. Published posthumously, Lovelier Than Dirt completes the second quartet in the Native Blossoms Chapbook Series. A portion of the proceeds of all book sales will be donated to the Deborah Blakely Averill Scholarship Fund at California State University, Northridge, where Deborah was a lecturer in the Humanities, and an instructor in the English Department. To order a copy of Deborah’s stellar debut collection, click here.

    Deborah Blakely Averill (1964 – 2018) was a gifted poet, teacher, editor, and critic. She earned both her BA in English and MA in Creative Writing from California State University, Northridge. Deborah’s poetry has appeared in NOÖ Journal, The Northridge Review, and Floor Plan. She was co-editor of the online literary magazine Red-Headed Step-Child. She was most proud, however, to have been a wife and mother.

    As part of the Native Blossoms Chapbook Series, Deborah‘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.” Deborah had chosen to write about the Toyon bush (Heteromeles arbutifolia), also known as “Christmas Berry,” because it covers the Hollywood hills. In fact, through her research she had discovered that early settlers mistook the native plant for holly, which is actually how the city of Hollywood got its name! The plant is featured prominently on the book’s cover.

    We will be honoring Deborah’s memory at a book launch and poetry reading on the campus of California State University, Northridge during April, which is National Poetry Month. Members of the English Department faculty, including Leilani Hall and Dorothy Barresi, along with several guest readers from the Native Blossoms Chapbook Series will read from Deborah’s collection, Lovelier Than Dirt, which will be available for purchase.

    If you’d like to join us in a celebration of Deborah Blakely Averill’s life and poetic work, as well as the release of Lovelier Than Dirt, please come out for an evening of her poetry on Thursday, April 25, 2019 from 7:30-9:30 PM in JR319 (the English Department Reading Room) on the campus of CSUN. There will be a reception following the reading, and light refreshments will be served.

    Here are the details:

     

  • New Releases

    • Release of Mother Stump by Alexandra Donovan

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    Donovan_Mother StumpWe 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

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    Poetry Reading at Studio CWe 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

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    Tumbleweed: Against All Odds_poems by CLS FergusonWe 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.

    CLS Ferguson

    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

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    Listen to the Codex_Poems by Cindy RinneYak 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:

     

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  • Events and Appearances

    • Hover the Bones Release

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    Hover the Bones -- Poems by Melisa Malvin-MiddletonYak 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:

     

     

     

     

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  • Events and Appearances

    • “Guerilla” Activities for Poetry Month

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    Mary Oliver quote 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.don't_let_poetry_die

    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.

    HABIT OF THE WORLD_Pocket Poem

     

  • Events and Appearances

    • We’re Going to AWP!

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    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

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    NB logo_webYak 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.

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