Sibling Rivalry Press

Poetic License Horoscopes for February 24 – March 2

Bryan Borland — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:45:50 +0000

Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20): “My mother was of the sky. My father was of the earth. And I am of the universe, and you know what it’s worth.” (The Beatles) If you happen to be lonely this week or just a little off, don’t worry. There’s probably a lake or a river nearby, some bright clouds to look at. Be sure and wear a warm hat, the stars do worry.

Aries (March 21-April 18): Last weekend, my wife and I went to see Portlandia Live! One of the things they showed us was a slide of a birthday card that Carrie had made for her mother when she was little. It was signed, “Your famous daughter, Carrie Brownstein.” This week, have a child’s amount of faith in yourself.

Taurus (April 19-May 18): The stars would like to thank every Jungian character who ever wandered into our life and helped us see our shadow selves. It is perfectly acceptable to fall in love with your very worst fears, as long as you remember to break up eventually.

Gemini (May 19-June 21): This week, take one negative belief about yourself and rewrite it as a compliment. If everybody says you’re too sensitive, call it perceptive. If they’ve called you flighty, thank your imagination. If you’ve heard before that you’re too emotional, hug yourself and call it sincere.

Cancer (June 22-July 23): The stars love those books wherein the author does something special for a year and then writes about it. Think of a year-long adventure for yourself, even if it’s just a small one. Record your efforts in writing, in mirror-fog, or on the tops of cakes. Celebrate everything you learn.

Leo (July 24- Aug. 23): At the beginning of the week, our beloved car was broken into, the passenger-side window was smashed and there was glass everywhere. My wife was heartbroken and I wanted to kill whoever did it, but I couldn’t help but be selfishly happy that she’d have to be home for the day. Don’t wait for things to get broken, though, just make a little time to stop.

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23): Okay, so you live in your head a lot, Virgo, but it’s time to take your body on some adventures. That can mean sex, or nature walks, or learning new recipes, or some nifty combination of all three. Get lots of real treats.

Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 21): This week it’s time to bring some of your photographs into the physical realm. Print them out or order prints. Make a scrapbook, or bulletin board, or a wall of friends like teenage girls sometimes do. You’ll be amazed by the cheer of sudden company.

Scorpio (Oct. 22-Nov. 22): “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” (Semisonic) If you’ve had to let something go lately, don’t despair. It only means that something better, prettier, shinier is on its way. Don’t change a thing, just go ahead and start looking.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec 22): “Hand down we like, we like what we like. Hands down we like, we love, we choose you. We got an eye, an eye for what’s romance. We’ve got our eyes, our eyes trained on you…We love the sound, the sound is what found us, sound is the blood between me and you.” (Wild Flag, Romance)

Capricorn (Dec. 23-Jan. 20): Meditate on Carrie Brownstein’s voice this week. Listen to Sleater-Kinney and let it sandpaper out your insides, screech your soul clean. That reminds the stars, we need to get Wild Flag tickets.

Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb. 19): To the Aquarius starting a new job this week: may the sun shine through the front window in welcome. May you get in many pleasant side-conversations with co-workers. May you never forget your morning coffee at home. Most importantly, may you still have time for parties.

Poetic License Horoscopes for February 17 – 23

Sibling Rivalry Press — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:45:29 +0000

By Jane Cassady:

Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb. 19): Happy birthday to a favorite Aquarius poet, Hannah McDonald! May the coming year be filled with nerdy love, shiny things, sexy subtext, fancy gelato, and lots and lots of dancing.

Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20): I asked a Pisces that I met at a snuggle party what he’d like from the stars this week, and he said “I’d like to find my community. Oh, and also a million dollars.” Well, I can promise you this—you’ll find whoever you need to find and you will certainly be a snuggle millionaire.

Aries (March 21-April 18): “I ask for what I want and I say no to what I don’t want.” (The Ethical Slut) This week, if something is a maybe, let it be a no for now. Practice your boundaries and take time to yourself whenever needed—there’ll be times later to smush everyone with big big hugs, I promise.

Taurus (April 19-May 18): The stars have been doing some, uh, research into the world of BDSM. The best thing we’ve learned about so far is “aftercare” wherein hurty activities are followed by comforting ones. Apply this practice to your everyday life whenever possible. I recommend pajamas, blankets, and anything with Zooey Deschanel in it.

Gemini (May 19-June 21): Collect up all of the Valentines from earlier in the week and build something—a castle, a fort, a simple house of pink and red cards. It’s the symbol of your coming love year, so be thorough.

Cancer (June 22-July 23): Find as many ways as possible to stop pretending.

Leo (July 24- Aug. 23): If you end up with a day off in the middle of the week, don’t spend it on practical things. Lounge around reading magic-themed young adult novels, snuggle with loved ones and cats, make soup that takes a long time and smells delicious.

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23): Who doesn’t love a good bonobo story? A very nice Tantric practitioner recently told me that bonobo chimp groups have a “town crier”—one chimp who is designated to cry all the tears for everyone. You don’t always have to be that chimp, but it’s okay if you are sometimes.

Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 21): I’ve decided that I will wear pajamas to any place I can from no on. I just love pajamas so much. I also love how nice a brand new pair of socks feels. Do yourself as many cozy favors as possible this week, even if you’re not quite as ridiculous as the stars are.

Scorpio (Oct. 22-Nov. 22): “If we look at our lives, we will see clearly how many unimportant tasks, so-called “responsibilities,” accumulate and fill them up. One master compares them to “housekeeping in a dream.” (Soygal Rinpoche) This week, pick four things you think you have to do, and skip them.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec 22): I spent some time in my friends’ former neighborhood the other day. It was fun, but it made me realize how much I’d been missing them since they’d moved away. Then a Valentine came from them the next day, with hand-drawn cartoons of them, speech bubbles saying how much they missed us too. Appreciate the miracle of time spent together, and maybe send a little note.

Capricorn (Dec. 23-Jan. 20): I’ve been reading the Percy Jackson books, about the modern-day children of the Greek gods and goddesses. They’re pretty good but it burns me up that they keep characterizing Aphrodite’s children as vain and less powerful than the other heroes. This is just so much (vaguely sexist) bullshit. This week, build altars to the awe-inspiring powers of love and aesthetics. Stop at nothing.

SRP Author Interview: Donnelle McGee Shines Bright

Sibling Rivalry Press — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:47:27 +0000

To celebrate the release of SRP’s latest digital-exclusive, Shine, publisher Bryan Borland and author Donnelle McGee traded emails and set the stage for this achingly-beautiful novella’s public debut:

BB: Your novella, Shine, will be published on February 15 as an SRP digital-exclusive eBook. Why were you open to publication in this format?

DM: I was elated to hear that Sibling Rivalry Press would publish my novella, Shine, as part of its SRP digital-exclusive project. E-publishing is the future, particularly for short fiction pieces like Shine. I am very excited that Shine will find its way into the literary world as an eBook. There is no doubt that more and more readers are opting to read their books via their Kindles, or other similar devices, and I feel that Shine will have the opportunity to be read by readers from all over the world.

BB: You and I discussed the title, Shine, and whether it’s been overused, particularly in light of last year’s National Book Awards fiasco. Yet, regardless, I don’t think either of us were willing to make a change. Why is the word Shine so important here?

DM: Yes, unfortunately that was a true debacle. And I feel for Lauren Myracle. However, from the reviews I’ve read, it sounds like her book survived that fiasco. She is a fantastic writer. As for my book, I never considered changing the title. The title Shine is important in so many ways. I wrote much of Shine while listening to Pink Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond.” And from that edgy, telling, and powerful song came the character of Bray, or as they call him on the streets, Shine. In addition, the book deals with duality. The duality of sexuality. How one navigates what’s true in terms of sexual identity. In this case, it’s Shine who journeys to the edges of his sexuality. There’s a light, perhaps in his psyche / heart that dims and shines as he comes to grips with his sexuality.

And with his family and girlfriend there are many layers he walks through. But I guess, after having a bit of distance from the book, it was imperative to title the book Shine because page after page there is an unflinching vulnerability, which I hope the structure of the book reveals; there is light, if you will, that is being shone brightly on many of the sexual and family dynamics that many of us turn our back on. In this book, I wanted to Shine brightness on issues dealing with sexuality and family that at times are kept locked in the body. Issues that are tucked deep away and become a closed narrative. I wanted this book to release that narrative. Put some light on it.

BB: You’re a teacher. If Shine ended up in your classroom as course material, how would you approach it?

DM: I love this question. It would be nice to use Shine as a mechanism to discuss the whole realm of prostitution, male sexuality, and family breakdown. The discovery of what drives a person to sell his / her body for money. Or, is it for more than money? As for Shine, he finds that the money is good, yet he begins to crave the flesh and all of its comfort. I would dive into that complexity of what it means to be a prostitute and what are the reasons, because there are so many dynamics that drive a person into the depths of prostitution, that one finds the self giving their body away for money.

I would also explore male sexuality. I think it would be good to examine – via the character of Shine - how males deal with their sexuality. All of it. Society tends to want to categorize sexuality into neat little holes. Are you Gay? Are you straight? What are you? And the consequences, which ultimately broke Shine’s will in the book, put a lot of pressure – particularly I would say on young males in high school and college – and this pressure often leads to confusion and a breaking or detachment of self.

I could see Shine being read and discussed in Psychology and Sociology (Human Sexuality) classes. The book speaks directly to sex. What does sex represent for a man? For a woman? And can sex just be sex? But often times power and the sexual roles / norms that society tries to keep in tact make something beautiful seem underground. Shine, at least one theme of the book, is a journey into the abyss of what sex, or said differently, of what flesh on flesh kindles.

BB: The style of this book is unique. Vignettes, prose, poetry – flashes of characters and their reactions and their lives. Why did you choose to write Shine in this manner?

DM: When I set out to write this book, I didn’t really have a structure in mind. All I knew was that in my head was this character with eyes that shine. I knew he was a streetwalker, a hustler. And I knew that he had a story to tell. As I started to put his voice on paper and screen, the structure of the book began to develop. It’s funny. I didn’t choose to write Shine in any manner. I let the characters dictate the structure. And as new characters entered the story, their voices pointed me in different directions. For example, Shine’s mom (Regina) spoke poetically in my head. Therefore, all of her lines in the book became poems.

And then too, as stated earlier, “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” its melody – its eeriness - would not leave my head. I guess that’s where the flashes – the vignettes began to emerge from. Almost like looking in on a character or a situation. But looking in briefly because the story was building towards this crescendo. As I began to understand the structure the book was taking, I used the vignettes, the poetry, the flashes of a character’s psyche to build the inevitable - a crashing or climax. The structure of Shine reminds me of a long walk through the mind and in this story – hopefully – the reader experiences the mind of each character fully.

BB: You’re a self-described “Jimi Hendrix freak,” and you’ve already mentioned Pink Floyd influenced you as you were writing the book. Has music always played a part in your writing process? If Shine had a soundtrack, what other songs would be on it?

DM: Jimi was a poet. Pink Floyd – true poets. So much prose and story telling in their lyrics and too in their melodies. Music always plays a part in my writing process. I use it to set tone. I use it to let my self go to places that are dark. Places that are redeeming. Place that are hopeful. I remember going to a poetry reading a while back. I read three poems. And each poem contained a reference to music. I mentioned Eric Clapton in one poem. John Coltrane in one. And Joe Cocker in another. After the reading the featured poet came up to me and said, “Wow, using music and musicians in poems. That’s hard to do. But you did it well.” His words meant a lot to me. In many of my poems there’s a connection – a deep root dug into the world of music. And too in my prose, I use music to a large extent to give tone and structure. In fact, my novel – that I’m currently working on – is titled Trying To Get Over, which pays homage to the great Curtis Mayfield.

And there is music in Shine. Terence Trent D’Arby’s lyrics (now called Sananda Francesco Maitreya) glide with Shine throughout the book.

The Shine soundtrack would definitely include these songs:

“Shine On You Crazy Diamond” – Pink Floyd
“Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd
“If You All Get To Heaven” – Terence Trent D’Arby
“If You Let Me Stay” – Terence Trent D’Arby
“Sign Your Name” – Terence Trent D’Arby

And of course, I must include the classic – “Take A Walk On The Wild Side” – Lou Reed

BB: Finally, I know you recently purchased a Kindle Fire. What’s the verdict? Will it kill the traditional publishing industry? Has it changed the way you read books?

DM: The Kindle Fire is wonderful. And no – it will not kill the traditional publishing industry. But what it may do – along with other similar devices – is make more books available to more people. And these books are made available instantly. However, there is nothing like going into a used bookstore and going through the shelves. I know I still like to hold a book in my hands. The texture. Its feel. Smell. So – yes, I love my Kindle Fire – but there is room for both formats of publishing. And both will thrive in the market place.

Case in point, I am currently reading Chulito by Charles Rice-González and Sorta Like A Rock Star by Matthew Quick. I’m reading Chulito with book in hand and Sorta Like A Rock Star on my Kindle Fire. I like having the option of how I choose to read the books I select. But in the end – traditional publishing will remain. Yet – as readers - we have another option of how we choose to purchase and dive into our books.

——

Readers can purchase Shine by Donnelle McGee directly from SRP (with instant delivery) through our online store, or from Amazon, iTunes, or Barnes and Noble.

Poetic License Horoscopes for February 10 – 16

Sibling Rivalry Press — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:21:58 +0000

By Jane Cassady:

Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb. 19): As long as the weather stays mild, put a walk on the calendar with someone you sort of know. See what you can learn, how much can change each other.

Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20): Like everyone, you need to be liked, loved, and snuggled in lots of different ways. Send frilly Valentines to every valued member of the team, including pets. Maybe chocolates for the MVPs.

Aries (March 21-April 18): This Valentine’s Day, give yourself a reward for each of your love milestones this year—every couch you’ve slept on, every walk of the-opposite-of-shame, every movie watched while snuggling, every prolonged series of flirty texts. You’ve accomplished a lot, and this coming year will be even better.

Taurus (April 19-May 18): Look up Madeline Peyroux’s cover of Elliott Smith’s Between the Bars. Think about love, freedom, addiction, and potential. Get chills if you want to.

Gemini (May 19-June 21): Your whole year is a Valentine, a never-ending stream of conversation hearts and ridiculous love songs and lavish hugs from children. Everything you do and make is so fruitful. Keep going, make everything.

Cancer (June 22-July 23): Whether it’s you or your alter-ego, you’re sure to be glutted with unusual Valentines this year, in the form of pretty cakes or unexpected party-connections. Your whole life is festive and adorable, don’t forget it.

Leo (July 24- Aug. 23): Enjoy the days that are only naps, maps, and walks, when silence falls over you and yours like a welcome blessing, like the moon on water. Notice the shapes in everything and revel in your life’s design.

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23): See Pisces, but go ahead and spill out some pink champagne on the pavement for the missing team member(s). He/she/they are on their way, we promise.

Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 21): “And my checks have baby farm animals on them, bitch!” (Zooey Deschanel on The New Girl.) You are, as always, the perfect combination of adorable and fierce. Feel free to add ribbons to anything you want to.

Scorpio (Oct. 22-Nov. 22): This week, you are a state champion racing turtle; persistent, wholehearted, and at just the right pace. You’re the best and soon, you’ll have the trophies to show for it.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec 22): You’re quite a catch, Sagittarius, and soon, fate will submit to your every whim. Be sure to write a very specific list of everything you want from the Universe. You are sure to get it.

Capricorn (Dec. 23-Jan. 20): Listen to Close to Me by The Cure and think about what closeness really is: the smells and everyday mistakes of intimacy, the song-exchange of friendship, the warmth of breakfast. Get whichever parts of closeness you can.

Poetic License Horoscopes for February 3 – 9

Sibling Rivalry Press — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:40:12 +0000

By Jane Cassady:

Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb. 19): “Any time will do.” (TV on the Radio) No matter how much your logistics change, your self and your calendar will remain intact. You will still have time for emphatic snuggles, parties, and many, many episodes of that sci fi series you like.

Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20): Whenever I ask people what they’d like the stars to predict for them, they almost always ask for a reduction of stress. I wish I could give each of them a hug, a cupcake, and some indulgent magazines, tuck them into a duvet and cover them in kittens. Do a little bit of that for yourself this week, and send me a picture.

Aries (March 21-April 18): I you think you’ve got to choose between love and rest, there’s no need. Invite a snuggle pal over, tuck yourselves into bed and turn on an episode of Radiolab. It’ll give you the most angelic sleep, and you can always go back and listen later.

Taurus (April 19-May 18): See Pisces.

Gemini (May 19-June 21): If you didn’t feel too inspired back when the year started, consider this another chance at a fresh start. Groundhog Day resolutions may seem inauspicious, but it’s never too late to try again. And again. And again.

Cancer (June 22-July 23): This week, write love letters to all of your favorite inanimate objects. Tell the toaster how accurately it warms your crusts. Tell the coffeemaker that you love waking up to its face. Tell the TV you’ll never forsake it, then maybe go outside.

Leo (July 24- Aug 23): This morning I found a helpful list of knots in my inbox: Somerville, Bowline, Alpine Butterfly, Square Knot, Half Hitch, Overhand Knot, Lark’s Head, and St Josephine. I’m passing this list on to you because I’m sure you’ll know what to do with it better than I do.

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23): Though common sense advice will always point your heart towards openness, it’s okay if it’s taking you a while to get there. You have all the time in the world for aesthetically pleasing trust falls. Take a break and learn to trust yourself.

Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 21): Congratulations! You have everything you need.

Scorpio (Oct. 22-Nov. 22): I just wanted to tell you that a pal of mine built a model of Fallingwater out of Legos. This may inspire you meditate on nature, playfulness, and unity, or it might just be really neat.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec 22): It’s tempting sometimes to catalog your mistakes, to weave them into a necklace, but don’t. Instead, please bless and thank every detour and see what miracles await.

Capricorn (Dec. 23-Jan. 20): Make a list of all your scattered friends and call them. Build shadowboxes out of the details of their lives that keep becoming new. Hang their memories in your kitchen for company, and spend some time in there making some soup.

Photo by Rob Bender

SRP Soundtrack: Eric Norris and Nocturnal Omissions

Sibling Rivalry Press — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:08:22 +0000

When asked to provide as soundtrack to his book, Nocturnal Omissions: A Tale of Two Poets, Eric Norris sent along the following:

I always listen to music when I write. I must have listened to each of these pieces at least once while writing Nocturnal Omissions with Gavin Geoffrey Dillard, but not in this order. In a way, I think the proper order of the songs only suggested itself over time, as the book developed and we got to know each other better. You will notice one odd man out here, the centerpiece of the selection, Enigma Variations: Variation IX, Nimrod, by Sir Edward Elgar. Love is an enigma to me, as I hope it is for you. I hope it always remains so–infinitely inventive and endlessly fascinating in all its incarnations.

As for Elgar and Nimrod, I can think of no other piece of music that comes so close to capturing the precise moment when affection for another really takes hold of the heart–that second on the silver screen when the kiss fades to bliss. To black. We wake the next morning in a very familiar but very different world. We look up, we look down, we look all around, and then we look at each other, just like Laurel and Hardy.

Don’t Just Sit There, The Crack, from The Album “In Search of The Crack,” http://youtu.be/y987uNsAp4k
Head On, The Jesus And Mary Chain, http://youtu.be/eGp47YwDZ48
Love Is A Stranger, Eurythmics, http://youtu.be/vyqww0RScMs
What Do I Get?, The Buzzcocks, Live in Boston 1980, http://youtu.be/p_nsp7bCEls
Nimrod, from Sir Edward Elgar’s “Enigma Variations,” Daniel Barenboim conducting, http://youtu.be/sUgoBb8m1eE
The Way You Look Tonight, Fred Astaire and Olivia Newton-John: http://youtu.be/GHIGSegHUHU
Paper Moon, Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra: http://youtu.be/USay5T-Er5k
I Want To Be In Dixie, Laurel and Hardy: http://youtu.be/43DRnH_zoxo

Poetic License Horoscopes for January 27 – February 2

Sibling Rivalry Press — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:10:02 +0000

By Jane Cassady:

Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb. 19): Make some space for yourself at the margin of things. Shush the peanut gallery of your past, your fears, your self-doubt, and spell out events in your own formation, according to your own interpretation. We promise it will be worth it.

Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20): On last week’s Parks and Recreation, Leslie Knope felt very conflicted about the idea of running a negative campaign ad about her opponent for city council. Like Leslie, find a way to point out the flaws of the situation and still be adorable about it.

Aries (March 21-April 18): “Your heart is both drunk and a kid.” (Marshall Erikson on How I Met Your Mother) Trust your heart and its adorable recklessness. Let it do the equivalent of jumping off the porch roof wearing a towel tied around your neck for a cape. Sometimes hearts land safely.

Taurus (April 19-May 18): Even if you’ve written a list of everything you’ve learned, dressed every bruise and scar, begun every transformation, some things just aren’t about learning or transcendence. Let it stay in your bones until your body is done with it, don’t struggle to be free.

Gemini (May 19-June 21): On last week’s Portlandia, a couple’s attempts to throw a non-conventional wedding nearly tore them apart, yet somehow, the dividing up of their friends turned into a wedding ceremony/basketball game. Find a way to make conflict into something surprising and beautiful.

Cancer (June 22-July 23): According to Wikipedia, “Daylight harvesting is the term used in sustainable architecture and the building controls and active daylighting industries for a control system that reduces the use of artificial lighting in building interiors when natural daylight is available, in order to reduce energy consumption.” This week, please make the most of everything that’s given to you for free.

Leo (July 24- Aug. 23): “But I reserve a special sort of love—and, yes, it really is love—for my favorite appliance. Slow cooker, all would be lost without you.” (Kristin van Ogtrop) This weekend take time to celebrate this and every other warm thing that simmers.

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23): Okay, so the stars have been watching a lot of TV this week. We are surprised to find ourselves riveted by Desperate Housewives: Brie van De Camp has gone rogue. When her church’s pastor caught wind that she’d been drinking and enjoying casual sex and sought her out at a bar to intervene, she told him “You don’t know me.” Find a similar way to tell false virtue to fuck off.

Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 21): This week the stars will find ourselves at two parties benefitting top surgeries. Believe in anything your friends are making themselves into, and pledge to help them get there, preferably if it involves drunken karaoke.

Scorpio (Oct. 22-Nov. 22): In the movie/ Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode Hercules Unchained, Hercules finds himself marooned on an…island, maybe? There, he is forced to drink the waters of forgetfulness and presumably get lucky with lots of nymphs. Take a break like that any time you can.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec 22): “Jenna, you know how much I hate clubs and dance halls and odeons. They’re all malarkey.” (Liz Lemon on 30 Rock) Feel free to stay home as much as you like, but remember, it’s never too late for now.

Capricorn (Dec. 23-Jan. 20): Google the video of Neil Patrick Harris singing “Dream” On on Glee. Listen to it a whole bunch of times and believe it. Your dreams will come true if you just keep asking yourself, what would NPH do?

Wedding Announcement – Thomas Staed and Cody Renegar

Sibling Rivalry Press — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:51:59 +0000

[Note - In Arkansas, our largest newspapers refuse to publish wedding announcments of same-sex couples. Thomas and Cody of Elkins, Arkansas, are taking a stand, and we're proud to support them.]

ELKINS, ARK - William Thomas Staed IV and Jonathan Cody Renegar of Northwest Arkansas will proclaim their love for each other during a June 2012 wedding ceremony, surrounded by the loving friends and family.

Take a picture
To remember this moment
The moment when our two worlds collide
As we join hands, hearts, and souls
To take on the real world together.
Although the world can be cold
As people turn their heads,
We will always have each other to hold
In the dark on the coldest nights.
And the passionate desire which burns
Out of control within us
Will spread like wild fire to defrost the earth.
So take a picture
To remind us
Years and miles down the road
Of the battles we have already won.
And the day when our two worlds became one.

Thomas is the son of Bill and Janet Staed of Fort Smith. He is a 2002 graduate of Southside High School in Fort Smith and a 2006 graduate of University of Arkansas with a degree in Finance. He currently is employed as a bank analyst.

Cody is the proud father of Levi Renegar of Elkins. He is the son of Dr. Gary and Billie Renegar of Fayetteville. He graduated from WestArk Barber College in Fort Smith, and received advanced training at the Aveda Institute Salon in Minneapolis, and Jose Eber Salon in Beverly Hills. He is a professional hair stylist and educator, artist and author.

Thomas and Cody will exchange wedding vows during a June 2012 outdoor commitment ceremony overlooking the duck pond on TLC, their hobby farm. Guests will be seated under a large white tent decorated in honeysuckle vines and wild flowers. Reception will follow near the red barn under a separate tent. The Rev. Laura Phillips will officiate.

ALA takes Burnings and Collective Brightness OVER THE RAINBOW

Sibling Rivalry Press — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:33:10 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Bryan Borland, Publisher
PHONE: (870) 723-6008
EMAIL: siblingrivalrypress@gmail.com

SIBLING RIVALRY PRESS TITLES HONORED BY THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

The American Library Association has unveiled its 2012 “Over the Rainbow” list of noteworthy LGBT books published between July 1, 2010, and December 31, 2011, and of four poetry titles included, two were published by Sibling Rivalry Press.

From the ALA website:

The committee’s mission is to create a bibliography of books that exhibit commendable literary quality and significant authentic lgbt content and are recommended for adults over age 18. It is not meant to be all inclusive, but is intended as an annual core list for readers and librarians searching for recommendations of a cross-section of the year’s titles.

We proudly congratulate Ocean Vuong, author of Burnings, and Kevin Simmonds, editor of Collective Brightness: LGBTIQ Poets on Faith, Religion & Spirituality, as well as the over 100 poets featured in Collective Brightness.

Burnings
Ocean Vuong
ISBN: 978-0578070599
Available in print or eBook

Poetry. Asian American Studies. LGBT Studies. The poems of BURNINGS explore refugee culture, be the speaker a literal refugee from a torn homeland, or a refugee from his own skin, burning with the heat of awakening eroticism. As two-time National Slam Champion Roger Bonair-Agard says: “Ocean manages to imbue the desperation of his being alive—with a savage beauty. It is not just that Ocean can render pain as a kind of loveliness, but that his poetic line will not let you forget the hurt or the garish brilliance of your triumph; will not let you look away. These poems shatter us detail by detail because Ocean leaves nothing unturned, because every lived thing in his poems demands to be fed by you; to nourish you in turn. You will not leave these poems dissatisfied. They will fill you utterly.”

Collective Brightness: LGBTIQ Poets on Faith, Religion & Spirituality
Kevin Simmonds, Editor
ISBN: 978-0983293194
Available in print

Poetry. LGBT Studies. The first anthology of its kind, with poets representing several countries (the United States, Singapore, Korea, Australia, the United Kingdom, India, Malaysia, Japan and elsewhere), COLLECTIVE BRIGHTNESS gathers over 100 established and emerging contemporary LGBTIQ poets writing from and about various faiths, religions and spiritual traditions. Says Rigoberto González of National Book Critics Circle, “COLLECTIVE BRIGHTNESS sheds a shining light on a journey that no longer takes place in the dark. The glory of holding Kevin Simmonds’s anthology in one’s hands is that it burns as the sacred text of our queer times: heavy with burden, luminous with hope.”

ABOUT THE PRESS:

Located just outside of Little Rock, Arkansas, Sibling Rivalry Press develops, publishes, and promotes outlaw artistic talent. Our aim is to create literary and poetic rock stars. We are also home to Assaracus, the world’s only print journal devoted to contemporary gay poetry. Learn more at www.siblingrivalrypress.com.

Read the Announcement from ALA

EXCLUSIVE PHOTO: Charles Jensen, Montgomery Maxton at famed Hollywood haunt

montgomerymaxton — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:14:37 +0000

After seven years of communicating via postcards, blogger, Facebook, text messages, comment boxes, tweets, LIKES, and telephone, Charles Jensen and I decided to communicate in facetime and in style — where old Hollywood meets new Hollywood and the pool was painted by artist David Hockney for a million dollars; pocket change in this town. What better way to scratch our seven year itch than at the spot where Marilyn Monroe had her first photo shoot on the diving board of? The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is nothing short of its legend.

Charlie recently published a new chapbook, available here, called The Nanopedia Quick-Reference Pocket Lexicon of Contemporary American Culture. With heart-stopping poems like “Assisted Suicide,” it’s to die for. Add this one to your chapbook-bag or your KindleFire carousel ASAP.

And in true shameless poet fashion, you can find my “iconic debut collection” (as Charlie called it) This Beautiful Bizarre, right here and also in Apple’s iBookstore and Barnes & Nobles Nookstore #orwhateverthefucktheycallit.