Mice Verses Man Released Today

My first book of poetry Mice Verses Man was officially released by Big Table Publishing Company today. Smiles!

If you're interested in getting a copy (you know you want it) travel here and either buy one from Robin at BTP or hit the Paypal button and I will send you a personally signed copy.

Thanks for reading and hope to hear from some of you. Thanks!!

Smiles!
R Jay

One poem at fourpaperletters

Many thanks to the fourpaperletters magazine editor Laura Isaacman for including my poem A Two Star Night in their January 1st issue.

This poem is part of my forthcoming book Mice Verses Man

It's a great new magazine, check it out!

Smiles!

Frosted Glass at Boston Literary Magazine - Winter 2009/2010

I have one poem just published in the Winter 2009/2010 issue of Boston Literary Magazine. This was accepted a few months ago and since then, the editor Robin has also accepted my Mice Verses Man manuscript for publication from her Big Table Publishing Company due out any day now. Thanks and thanks Robin and your BLM staff.

Smiles!

Latest Poetry Happenings

It's been a little slow on the poetry front mostly because I was putting a lot of time into getting my Mice Verses Man book ms and the galley perfected with the publisher so I wasn't submitting a whole lot during that time plus I have a few submissions that have been out for a couple months.

Anyway, I did hear back with a poem acceptance from a new lit mag called fourpaperletters for their January 2010 issue. Many thanks to the editor Laura Issacman. Looking forward to being a part of your magazine!

I also heard from editor Lori A. May from The Ambassador Poetry Project. A fairly new literary magazine based near the Detroit metro area named after the Ambassador Bridge. She accepted two of my poems for their March 2010 Spring issue. Thank you Lori! I hope to meet you some day too at a reading or whatever.

Since my last update, I also received two sets of rejections.

The publisher of my forthcoming book, Robin Stratton, shared one of the review excerps meant for the back cover of Mice Verses Man with me today. It's is from Steve Meador who has three fine poetry books out, all of which I own by the way, and also is the editor of the literary mag Hanging Moss Journal.

Here's his review. thanks Steve!

“R Jay Slais braids nature with humor and face-slapping reality that allows the reader to feel like a longtime friend. He is adept with language, structure and planting seeds of emotion, and one cannot help but feel lifted by 'January and all its newness is coming.'”
Steve Meador - author of Throwing Percy from the Cherry Tree

Winter is setting in here in Michigan. No snow here yet, but brrrrrrrr it is cold.

Smiles!

Good news - My first book ms accepted by Big Table Publishing

Yay, now that I have signed on the dotted line and it is official, I would like announce that by year's end 2009, my first collection of poetry Mice Verses Man is to be published by Big Table Publishing Company Chapbook Series. BT Publishing is based in Massachusetts near Boston.

Eventually, it will be available at this link from the publisher or you can contact me directly at
RJay61 at comcast dot net
if you would like a signed copy.

Thanks a lot to the owner and Editor In Chief Robin Stratton for the acceptance and for being such a patient and knowledgable person to work with. The project is moving fast and it won't be long until it drops. It's going to be a 40 plus page chapbook, sort of a chap on steroids I guess, and it contains a lot of my best work including many previously unpublished pieces.

By the way, next door, I have started a new blog titled Mice Verses Man to help promote the book, print reviews, list readings or signings I will be doing in the future. Maybe I will see you here, or there, or there...thanks!!

On the cover of OCHO 27

Thanks again Didi for including my portrait on the cover and my poem "Obscure" on page 20/21.

Smiles!

Poetry here and there

Having fun writing, doing open mic readings, and submitting these days. Some successes, including acceptances at

The Smoking Poet, one in Zinta Aistars magazine, Winter 09 issue forthcoming. Thanks Zinta, you and your magazine rock!

I will have a poem in Hanging Moss Journal forthcoming soon. This is Steve Meador's great lit mag, Buy his books btw, all three are Good Reads!! you will not be disappointed.

Got one accepted for the forthcoming issue of Boston Literary Magazine. Great mag and my second time sharing there (Summer 2008 also). Robin Stratton and her staff do wonderful work there. THANKS!

One poem will be in Didi Menendez's OCHO 27 forthcoming soon, thanks Didi

Two poems accepted and published at Troubadour21, a Detroit local magazine just starting out but making a name around town. Great people. I met Carla, Carl, Karma, Bill, and Paquita at open mic readings recently. See you all again soon. Thanks!

Recently I had three poems that were published in the latest issue of Leaf Garden. a superb magazine, thanks so much!! See the link to their free PDF on the right hand side of this page or go there and buy a hard copy.

All this was balanced by 9 sets of rejections including my fifth from Beloit Poetry Journal, oh well, someday. :) The editor wrote me a note a said he loved reading my poem (not enough to publish it I guess but hey...lol)

Big news on the horizon.... shhh, it's a secret. (for now)
Smiles!!

American Poet Portraits by Didi Menendez

My portrait was rendered and posted on Didi Menendez's American Poet Portraits 2 website today. Thanks Didi, your art is more flattering than me in real life... smiles!

See it here: R Jay Slais portrait

Here's the link to her site. American Poet Portraits 2 Check out all her great work. For those whom may not know Didi, Didi Menendez is a Cuban-born American artist and author. She is also a publisher of several literary magazines including MiPOesias, OCHO, Oranges & Sardines, and Poets And Artists. Her publishing company is GOSS183.
Her latest book of poetry is WHEN I SAID GOODBYE released by BLAZEVOX.

Here's a snapshot but I hope you visit her site too.

One poem in Oranges & Sardines

The Self Portrait Issue of Poets And Artists, the latest release from Didi Menendez and her creative magazine Oranges & Sardines is now live here: check it out!

The Self Portrait Issue - Poets And Artists

I am happy to have one of my poems titled "Happenstance" included (pg 43)
Thanks Didi!!!! It's a beautiful magazine with so many talented artists and poets featured in it. Lovely!!

If you would like the option of getting a hard copy, please bookmark this link. It should be available soon. I can't wait to get mine!!

https://www.createspace.com/Customer/EStore.do?id=3399083

Peace and love!!

The Rose & Thorn current issue

I am very honored to be part of the current issue of The Rose & Thorn Magazine. My poem "If Asked One Can Walk On Water" was published in their magazines Winter 2008/09 issue.

Many thanks to the editorial staff for including me!!

Peace and love!

5 Poems up at Clockwise Cat #13

I am happy to see five of my poems are up at Clockwise Cat Issue #13. Thanks to the editor Alison Ross for including these poems, some of which are ones I still enjoy, in your magazine!

Smiles!!

Bird's Eye reView #1 is out

A couple weeks ago, one of my poems "After The Fall" was included in the debut issue of a new lit mag Bird's Eye Review.

Many thanks to the editor Amy George for including me.

Check out the magazine here . There are a lot of great poems to be read there by some great writers.

Peace!!

Gutter Eloquence Magazine - Issue #1

For me, it's always exciting to be part of a new venture, to be on the ground floor in the mix when something brand new sets sail.

Yesterday, the premier Issue #1 of a new literary magazine Gutter Eloquence was published online and one of my poems titled "The Greatest Fear" is included along with many other fantastic writer's work.

My thanks to the magazine editor Jack T. Marlowe for including me with such a talented group of writers including several friends, a few local Michigan poets, and also some of my favorite poets to read. Happy New Year Jack. Best wishes for fine success with Gutter Eloquence!

Smiles!!

Dec 2008 Hanging Moss Journal

The December 2008 issue of Hanging Moss Journal dropped yesterday with two of my poems on board.

Thanks again to the editir Steve Meador for including me in his magazine. You can read "One Final Wish" and "Responsibility" here.

There's a lot of other great contributions there too, so read on his Guest Poets section.

Thanks again Steve!

Poem up at The Pedestal Magazine

The December 2008 issue of The Pedestal Magazine dropped today with my poem "Finger Print" on board.

Thanks again to Poetry editor Arlene Ang and Editor In Chief John Amen for including me. I am happy to be a small part of their magazine.

Merry Christmas and happy holiday to you all.

Peace and love!

Poetry Update - acceptances

Here is my recent personal poetry news concerning recent acceptances and publications.

I had a couple rejections and one submission sent back with the editor stating he is reformating his magazine and going a new direction. I also had one poem accepted then pulled back a day later which I guess sometimes happens...oh well. Keep writing, submitting, and reading!

Three acceptances since my last note.

First, The Pedestal Magazine let me know that they will be using my poem "Finger Print" in their forthcoming December 2008 issue due to drop any day. My thanks to this month's poetry editor Arlene Ang and the Editor In Chief John Amen for the acceptance and for working with me to get me into their fine magazine. I am really excited about getting published in TPM and this poem publication also comes along with the pretty sweet cash payment, always a good thing huh!

Next, Hanging Moss Journal has accepted two of my poems for their next issue. I am a big fan of the editor Steve Meador so big time appreciation to you Steve for these acceptances. Steve's latest book "Throwing Percy From The Cherry Tree" has been nominated for a National Book Award and The Pulitzer Prize for poetry. Great stuff, I recommend everyone to pick up a copy of this book right away. It would make a great Christmas gift!

Finally, I am honored to be included in the forthcoming Issue #1 of Gutter Eloquence Magazine due to be published before January 5, 2009. The editor, Jack T. Marlowe, was kind enough to allow a slight re-write on my poem "The Greatest Fear" to get it to an acceptable level for their likes. I definitely appreciate you working with me on this Jack, thanks and I am excited about your new magazine's debut issue! Congrats!

Yellow Mama #11 dropped the other day with my poem "High Enough To Die" on board. Click the link to go and check it out. Thanks a lot Cindy for the publication. I really enjoy reading your magazine!

Happy holidays to you all. Thanks for reading today!

Peace and love!

Poem today at Every Day Poets

My poem "The Window Between" is up at Every Day Poets today.

Peace and love!!

Some poetry updates/news

Hello friends!

Some good news on the personal poetry front. Along with a handful of rejections, I got a few acceptances, and also a couple recent or upcoming publications on past acceptances.

Acceptances:

Right Hand Pointing let me know that they will be publishing my poem titled "Remorse" in their Issue #24 due out in February 2009. I definitely recommend traveling to RHP's site and reading there. Besides their regular issues, they have an awesome collection of E-Chap Books published online including some from a couple of my favorite poets Howie Good and Allen Peterson. Many thanks to the general editor Dale Wisely for including me.

I also heard back from Oak Bend Review's editor Sandee Lyles saying they are going to publish my poem "Half Hidden" in their March/April 2009 issue. This poem is part of my chapbook that is out at a publisher since July awaiting response. Thanks Sandee!! It's a beautiful magazine!!

Finally, a couple days ago, The Rose & Thorn's editor Cesar Garza let me know that they will be including my poem "If Asked One Can Walk On Water" in their upcoming Winter 2008 issue. He said some really nice things in the acceptance letter which is always cool and R&T pays $$ for their contributors poems, always a great bonus huh. R&T has been one of my favorite places to visit along with their informative blog so I am really excited to get the opportunity to be a part of their magazine. THANKS!!

Recent Publication:

Sub Lit volume 2 issue 2 dropped the other day. The editor alerted me that my five previously accepted poems are on line in the issue. I appreciate the friendly letter I received from the editor Michael Ogletree alerting me that Sub Lit 6 is up. What a great person he is, one I concider a friend. Thanks Sub Lit and Michael!

Coming Soon:

Every Day Poets released their month # 2 December 2008 Table Of Contents two days ago and on December 9th, my poem "The Window Between" will be published there. Many thanks again to the editors there for including another one of my works this month.

My (Twisted) Christmas Poem "Please Sing Me A Reindeer Song" will be in the December issue of Twisted Tongue Magazine due out any day. They are a print mag based in the UK. A free PDF will be available via the link on the website. Hard copies of the print edition can be purchased via the link on the site (Europe) or from Lulu.com in the States (shipping costs are more affordable there). I am looking forward to reading it!!

The holiday's are quickly approaching huh. It was my New Year's Resolution in January to hit this poetry thing hard in 2008 to see how far I could get including getting a book MS togther. I am happy to say, this is one resolution that was accomplished in my mind at least. Thanks for reading!!

Peace and love!

A couple new online Lit Mag pubs

Two new publications online in the past few days for your reading pleasure.

Three poems were accepted and published at Mad Swirl.
Many thanks to the editor Johnny! It's great to back in the flow swirling madly.

I am honored to have my poem "What? About Me?" in the debut issue of tinfoildresses magazine. There's a lot of great poems there to be read so click the link and enjoy. The editor Heather Ann Schmidt has put together a great new magazine. Congrats to you Heather and thank you for including me.

Peace and love!

Latest Personal Poetry News

It's been a few weeks since I spoke about the po scene personally, so here we go.
The only recent publication was on Novemeber 1st where my poem "Enter The Unknown" was the debut poem Every Day Poets magazine.

I will have several poems coming out in the next two weeks in some of the mags listed on the right side of my blog according to their publication schedules.

First off, six sets of rejections but the good news, I did have 3 acceptances also.

Debuting their first edition on January 15, 2009, Bird's Eye reView accepted one of poems. The editor sent me a really nice note that I'll share. THANKS Amy!! I am honored to be part of your magazine.
-------------------------
Thank you for your interest in Bird's Eye reView. I am happy to say that we will be utilizing your poem "After the Fall" for our January 2009 issue, set to be out January 15th.
Thanks for your great contribution; your poem impressed me and it's work like this that makes this editor-thing worth it!

Best regards,
Amy L. George
------------------------

My friends at Every Day Poets have accepted a third poem from me titled " Autumn Belle". Thanks again to the editors Oohna, Constance, and Nicholas.

Finally, today I recieved news back from Twisted Tongue Magazine. It's a print mag based in the UK. My Poem "Please Sing Me A Reindeer Song" will be published in their Christmas issue, Twisted Tongue Issue 12. My poem is definitely twisted too! Much appreciation to the editor Claire Nixon and her staff. It is due out within a week or so. Should be very interesting.

Peace to all!