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YellowJacket Press |
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Established in 2005, YellowJacket Press (YJP) is an independent small poetry press and currently the only publisher of poetry chapbook manuscripts in Florida. YJP sponsors the annual YellowJacket Press Chapbook Contest for Florida Poets. Renowned across the state, the annual contest identifies the state’s most vital and vibrant poets and brings their exhilarating, well-crafted poems to the public eye. |
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YellowJacket Press 2008 Poetry Chapbook Winner reads on April 17, 2009: The 2008 YellowJacket Press Chapbook Contest winner, Kate Sweeney debuted her chapbook, Better Accidents, at the YellowJacket Press “in Just spring” Poetry Reading on Friday, April 17, 2009. “in Just spring” took place at Indigo Coffee, 514 Franklin Street, Downtown Tampa,. Ms. Sweeney was joined by Florida poets Philip F. Deaver, Phyllis McEwen, Rhonda J. Nelson, Jeff Karon, Susan Lilley & Nola Garrett. Artwork by Phyllis McEwen was also on display. A raffle of Spring items took place throughout the evening. |
Latest News |
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Mary Jane Ryals 2006 YellowJacket Press Winner |
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Poet wins 2008 YellowJacket Press Chapbook Contest for Florida Poets: YellowJacket Press is pleased to announce the winner of the 2008 YellowJacket Press Chapbook Contest for Florida Poets. Kate Sweeney of Tampa has won for her manuscript Better Accidents, which will be published this spring. Runner-up Richard Downing of Hudson will also have his collection Four Steps off the Path published by YellowJacket Press. There were 8 finalists whose work was also worthy of publication, had not financial times been so dire. They include Vanessa Blakeslee, Maitland; Michael Cleary, Ft. Lauderdale; Sarah Carey, Gainesville; Nola Garrett, Palm Harbor; Terry Godbey, Maitland; Ruth Moon Kempher, St Augustine; Jesse Millner, Estero; and Barbra Nightingale, Hollywood. Previous winning chapbooks were Florida Straits by Gregory Byrd of Clearwater (2005), Music in Arabic by Mary Jane Ryals of Tallahassee (2006), and Night Windows by Susan Lilley of Orlando (2006), Many Loves by Michael Hettich of Miami (2007) and Our Keen Blue House by Michael Trammell of Tallahassee. This year’s contest opens October 1, 2009 with a deadline of December 1, 2009. |
Other News |
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Help YJP continue to publish Florida Poets. Any amount is greatly appreciated. |
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Upcoming Events
Benefit for YJP!
YellowJacket Press presents the 2nd Annual Florida Poets Happy Hour & Prime Time Show on Friday, Oct.9, 2009, from 6pm-9pm. The extravaganza poetry event is a benefit for YJP and will take place at Tampa’s hot, new literary café, Karma Bar & Café, 206 N. Morgan St., Tampa, FL.
A dozen poets have already signed on to delight, enthrall and entertain us during Happy Hour (6-7pm), Prime Time (7-8 pm) or Last Call (8:30-9:30pm) . The reading throughout the night will feature poets from the bay area and across the state, including Peter Meinke, Lisa Birnbaum, Gregory Byrd, Robert S. Carr, Silvia Curbelo, Nyssa Hanger, Richard Downing, Hunt Hawkins, Ira Sukrungruang, Kate Sweeney and Helen Wallace. (We may have a few more jump on board, too!)
Karma will be offering drink and appetizer specials, (doesn’t karma always?).
There will be music by Charles Flowers and lots of neat raffle items. A $5 donation at the door will support YJP’s effort to become a non-profit and continue publishing chapbooks along the way.
So come by for 1 poem, 1 poet, 1 hour or the whole she-bang—but do come!
For more information e-mail russo15@juno.com or call Karma Bar & Café at 813-228-0870. |
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Kudos to our YJP Poets and Board Members for these honors and awards:
Peter Meinke was named the Poet Laureate of St. Petersburg, Fl.
Susan Lilley recently won the Florida Individual Artist Fellowship. She also recently won the Rita Dove Poetry Award
Kate Sweeney was selected as one of fifty Best New Poets by Kim Addonizio for the 2009 anthology:
Richard Downing debuted his chapbook Four Steps off the Path at the New Port Richey Library on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 to a packed audience of over 120 people. The library provided a scrumptious reception of goodies (including a “jungle” cake) and Richard’s book sold out that night! (YJP has since printed more copies.)
Gianna Russo, along with board members Jeff Karon and Charles Flowers were invited by the City of Tampa to write poems for Tampa’s Riverwalk. The poems will be shown on LED screens and on permanent signs along the 2 mile walk that stretches through downtown. |
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The 2010 YellowJacket Poetry Chapbook Contest is now accepting submissions.
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Thank You to Our Donors:
Elisa Albo Kristyn Caragher Rita Ciresi Michael Cleary Silvia Curbelo Eric Davis Richard Downing Jim Graves Jan Ledman Kim Murray Barbra Nightingale Haya Pomrenze Henry Riley Janet Watson |