Beth McDermott had a releasing party at Gallery Seven. What a turn out! It had great poetic energy with family, friends, and artists.

Last time I talked to Beth, she wanted to have a reading at an art gallery because it follows her book theme. Boom! She found the beautiful, historical place. I love how she is developing her poetic career. I again understand how important it is to talk about one's path.

RHINO Poetry has a booth next to "Wherever I'm At: An Anthology of Chicago Poetry". Also, there are cool Midwest publishers like North American Review.

Today, I had a blast! 

I finally met our young editors and interns such as Andrea Busch, Sarah Jack, and Nile. They are just wonderful with good spirits.

And our magazines found many new homes. Thank you so much for purchasing our goods.

Our reading event was phenomenal! Thanks, Virginia Bell and Elizabeth O’Connell-Thompson.

Look at the crowd and people standing around!! Thank you for sharing a stage with us, Poetry Foundation.

We share creativity - - through our own works, translations, language... - - and I believe that it is power.

The fourth year is revealed! RHINO Poetry's annual graphic review issue features both emerging and established poets who tackle book reviews using innovative practices.

Here are awesome books and reviewers:

Machete by Tomás Q. Morín
Reviewed by Octavio Quintanilla

Adjusting to the Lights by Tom C. Hunley
Reviewed by Matthew Thorburn and Preston Thorburn

Doll Apollo by Melissa Ginsburg
Reviewed by Sarah Sloat

Of Mineral by Tiff Dressen
Reviewed by Francesca Preston

Água Viva by Clarice Lispector, Translated by Stefan Tobler
Reviewed by Tana Oshima

A Thousand Times You Lose Your Treasure by Hoa Nguyen
Reviewed by Luisa A. Igloria

Gut by Amanda Larson
Reviewed by Kylie Gellatly

Poetry: A Chapbook by Yuki Jackson
Reviewed by Shalida A. Askanazi

Both the books and reviewers inspire us to stretch our creative limits. The result is always nothing short of amazing. The annual issue is becoming its own contemporary art exhibition.

We, as writers, are serious about exploring new ways to utilize words & images. 

In this graphic issue, I also interviewed Cutter Streeby and Michael Haight. They published a hybrid book with poetry and paintings. You may like reading the interview as well. 

I met Shalida Askanazi from my workshop at Vermont Studio Center.

It was a gathering for experienced and emerging artists & writers; therefore, I was invited all to join Rhino's annual graphic issue at RHINO Poetry Reviews.

She was the only person to come back with her review.

I like those who reach for the opportunity to publish (which there are not many out there).

There are two simple answers to our life choices, "Do" or "Don't", and I would like to choose to "Do" a new challenge like she did.

Thank you for reminding me of that.