Submitted by Prairie Schooner on Thu, 05/16/2013 - 09:01
An Interview with Kurdish Poet, Golan Haji
Golan Haji – Every Writing is a Translation
A pathologist and doctor, Golan Haji's literary career includes several collections of poetry; an Arabic translation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde; and numerous appearances at festivals worldwide. His first collection won the al-Maghut prize and his latest, A Cold Faraway Home, will be published soon in Beirut. He lived in Damascus until he had to flee his country in 2011. He settled in France.
Submitted by Prairie Schooner on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 09:37
Crooked Letter Interview # 10
Dueling Writers & Honing the Creative Impulse: A Conversation with Beth Ann Fennelly
This conversation with Beth Ann Fennelly is the ninth in the Crooked Letter Interview Series hosted by the Schooner’s Southern Correspondent, James Madison Redd. The following is a brief excerpt from their recent conversation at the University of Mississippi, familiarly known as Ole Miss.
Beth Ann Fennelly directs the MFA Program at Ole Miss, where she was named the 2011 Outstanding Liberal Arts Teacher of the Year. Her work has three times been included in THE BEST AMERICAN POETRY series. She and her husband, the L.A. Times Book award winner Tom Franklin, co-wrote the novel, TILTED WORLD, forthcoming in October 2013.
Submitted by Prairie Schooner on Thu, 05/02/2013 - 10:31
"Cat Named Sobaka" by Josip Novakovich
Creative Nonfiction Contest 2013: Submissions Are Open!
By Alie Kloefkorn
The day has come: submissions are open! We are posting one last essay to entertain you as you prepare your submission:“Cat Named Sobaka,” by Joseph Novakovich. It appeared in our Spring 2010 issue as well as Best American Essays 2011. It is a cat’s biography, what the author calls an “essay-fable.”
We look forward to reading your submissions!
Submitted by Prairie Schooner on Tue, 04/30/2013 - 09:57
"I am the soldier; I am the battlefield." Part 3: Final Section
Nabina Das interviews Naren Bedide who has been translating Telugu Dalit poetry for some time for a Dalit literary platform. This literary drive is gaining momentum as more and more of this body of poetry is becoming available, ably challenging mainstream poetics. The PS blog featured Part 1 and Part 2 of the Q&A earlier. We round up the conversation with Part 3.
Submitted by Prairie Schooner on Sun, 04/28/2013 - 14:05
"Fred Astaire's Hands" by Judith Kitchen
For the past two weeks, we have posted essays published in previous issues, and will continue to do so until the contest deadline, May 2. Last week, we posted “Jicama, without Expectations,” by Maxine Kumin. This week, the essay is Judith Kitchen’s “Fred Astaire’s Hands,” published in the Fall 1997 issue, in which Kitchen chronicles a road trip intertwined with thoughts on mortality and sense of self.
Submitted by Prairie Schooner on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 10:32
A monthly book review in brief from the staff of the Prairie Schooner and associates.
A monthly book review in brief from the staff of Prairie Schooner and associates.
Vol. 2 Issue 2. April 2013.
The Golden Road by Rachel Hadas | Reviewed by Caitie Leibman
The Hours of The Cardinal by Richard Lyons | Reviewed by James Madison Redd
Earth Again by Chris Dombrowski | Reviewed by James Crews
Submitted by Prairie Schooner on Thu, 04/18/2013 - 19:11
Jicama, without Expectation: an Essay by Maxine Kumin
Just a reminder that May 2 marks the opening of the submission period for Prairie Schooner’s Creative Nonfiction Contest! Last week, we posted Alberto Alvaro Ríos’ essay, “Translating the Translation: Finding the Beginning.” This week, we are posting “Jicama, without Expectation” by Maxine Kumin, published in the Spring 1994 issue, in which Kumin explores the significance of cultivating a garden.
Submitted by Prairie Schooner on Tue, 04/16/2013 - 17:38
Happy Birthday, Book Prize Series
By Dillon Jones, Prairie Schooner intern
This year marks the tenth anniversary of Prairie Schooner’s Book Prize Series. To celebrate, friends of the journal gathered last Thursday to honor its founders, former PS Editor-in-Chief Hilda Raz and longtime PS supporter Peggy Shumaker. Current Editor-in-Chief Kwame Dawes opened with remarks about the difference between blockers and facilitators, noting the importance of the latter. He described facilitators as people who, in response to an obstacle, say, “That sounds difficult. How can we make it happen?” Hilda Raz and Peggy Shumaker belong in this group.
Submitted by Prairie Schooner on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 09:56
Translating Translations: an essay by Alberto Alvaroz Rios
Translating Translations: an essay by Alberto Alvaroz Rios
Submitted by Prairie Schooner on Fri, 04/05/2013 - 09:33
World Wide Poetry Studio with Ryan Van Winkle
I met Mary Ruefle in her home in Vermont. Over cigarettes and coffee and among a plethora of brilliant ephemera (a tiny deck of playing cards, vintage Christmas decorations) we had an amazing conversation about her life and her body of work as a poet and an artist. One thing which remained with me long after our interview, was Mary's dedication to play. In her own words:
