“Her body lifts and soars”
Something amazing happened — my chapbook “The Women of Myth” won the Elgin, first place in its category. Literally a dream made real. Here’s what I shared with my beloved SFPA community:
“Elgin awards are the stuff of dreams. The thing unattainable, the thing that drives us give our all to the craft. The Women of Myth is my all -— my best poems from my inaugural phase working in speculative poetry. What I
Love about the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association is the community. How we share and discuss this gorgeous construct we steward —- poetry that invents, that innovates, that astonishes. My community and peers are exceptional —- all those nominated, and more.
Gratitude—so many to thank. The Chairs, the membership of the SFPA, and those who have been my particular cheerleaders. I’d like to thank Ted Sunhede Fulk for believing in this collection for the Island of Wak-Wak, my aunt Betsy Davids, “purveyor of fine dreams”, my BSFS family (Miguel, Michael, Lauretta, Bryant, Taviar, Jessa, Julia, and everyone who drops in). My earliest spec mentors Marge Simon and David Kopaska-Merkel. Especially Marge, who nudged me in beautiful ways lo those many years ago. Special thanks to my partner and family and friends for their exceptional support.
Inside each of us are myths—our own stories manifest, intertwined with the historical, the existential, the eternal narratives of our peoples. My stories tend to turn classic myths on their heads, because disruption and interrogation are part of my path. The myths as certain people wrote them at certain times never were comfortable for me. To exist, I had to reinvent them for myself. So I ask, please continue to
Nominate works for awards that are both within and outside what is comfortable for you. We grow best as a community if we include a wide perspective. I think we have a position of influence at the crest of a tsunami of poetic arts. Please join me in celebrating the awards for speculative poetry. Thank you for honoring me. Please know I honor you, my beloved community, and all the award winners, and everyone who joins us here.”
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