A sigh of wind, a relief
Hi again. It’s Josh. I want to applaud you. Casual reader, devout writer, literacy champion, scholar of life, and beloved friend and family. You kept an itty bitty press around one more year. It’s the best form of mail…forgetting about a book ordered in a presale, only for it to arrive months later exactly when you need it.
The 2024 calendar is complete. See the beautiful picture? Surprisingly, a lot of blues this year. Seeing these books together is one awesome accomplishment. On behalf of our authors, interns, editors, and guests, thank you for supporting Thirty West.
A place for poetry
The days are getting shorter. We’re getting ready for the slow march to the holidays and an exciting 2025. I asked Jules Smith, our current fall intern, how she feels about this transition…and a nice poem came out of it.
Some Kind of Sun
She’s not who I remember
This sun
I wonder if it’s the wind
Or the crunch of snow
That makes her so
Cold
Months before, I leapt through
The honeyed
Rays of something bright
That bounced on earth
And into my arms
Warm
December holds with frigid hands
Bitten nails
I wonder if she’s hiding
Or here, but changed
Does she know better
Now
These days, I trudge through
Frozen water
I think of her golden beams
And where they may have gone
Oh, she was so much freer
Then
New Release
This Is How They Mourn, now on its 2nd printing, is landing on bookshelves in the USA and abroad. This chapbook is the 3rd consecutive debut author to have been published with the Wavelengths moniker. Westies Book Club members will be obtaining their copies very soon. If you’re a Wisconsinite, may we suggest celebrating Kristin’s achievements in person?
Lion’s Mouth Bookstore in Green Bay is hosting an evening with Kristin Tenor. This event will take place this Friday, 11/8 at 6 PM. Chapbooks will be available for sale. RSVP here.
Afterimages News
The Afterimages schedule for November is live. Fresh and dramatic prose will come to your inbox in the days to come. As always, our submission window is open 365 days. Currently reading for December and January 2025.
Extra Bits
We’re finally putting Zoom Pro to good use! Join us for the first installment of this new series on Wednesday, 11/13 at 8 PM EST. Experience poetry by T.J. McGowan, Alison Lubar, Jane-Rebecca Cannarella, Rowan Mucci, and Alexandria Roswick. Prize wheel anyone? RSVP here for the free event.
Our 2025 roster of authors will be announced soon.
Our bookshop is restocked with our recent titles, backlist, and new bundles as low as $20. Our 2024 authors and their predecessors have amazing books we adore. Check out the sales.