Literary Conference – Alice James Kick Off Poetry Reading

Join us as we kick off the conference with Alice James Books. Founded as a feminist press in 1973, today, Alice James Books is committed to collaborating with literary artists of excellence whose voices have been historically marginalized by producing, promoting, and distributing their work which often engages the public on important social issues.

Executive Director Carey Salerno shares what distinguishes the organization she leads. A reading with outstanding poets from Alice James’ list follows.

Andrés Cerpa is the author of Bicycle in a Ransacked City: An Elegy (2019), celebrated as one of the best poetry books of 2021 by The New York Times; and The Vault (2021).  Called “a voice that’s impossible to turn away from” by Patricia Smith, Cerpa is a recipient of fellowships from McDowell and Canto Mundo. His  work has been published widely.

Iain Haley Pollock has published two books of poetry with Alice James Books: Spit Back a Boy (2011), winner of the Cave Canem Poetry Prize, and Ghost, Like a Place (2018), nominated for an NAACP Image Award,  described by the New York Journal of Books as a “gorgeous collection of complex poetry” that “delights frequently with eruptions of extraordinary tenderness, intimacy, and beauty.” Pollock  directs the MFA Program at Manhattanville College, where he edits the literary journal Inkwell.

Carey Salerno, Executive Director and Publisher of Alice James Books, is the author of Tributary (Persea Books, 2021), and Shelter (Alice James Books, 2009), described by Michael Waters as “filled with fierce and desperate yowling.” She is co-editor of Lit From Inside: 40 Years of Poetry from Alice James Books (Alice James Books, 2013) and serves as co-chair of LitNet: The Literary Network.

Buy your books at Ampersand and join the conversation!

Books by Andrés Cerpa: Bicycle on a Ransacked City, The Vault 

Books by Iain Haley Pollock: Spit Back a Boy, Ghost, Like a Place 

Books by Carey Salerno: Tributary, Shelter, Lit From Inside

This is an online event streamed via Crowdcast. Choose the ticket price that’s right for you: Free, $5, $10, $15 or $20 here.