Tavern Books + Street Books

We've recently added Portland-based nonprofit Street Books to our list of libraries participating in Poetry State. Street Books is an amazing program that serves Portland's homeless community by offering a mobile library service to those who live outside. Yes, you do see a totally cool, totally mobile bicycle library in the background of this photo. We are delighted to supply Street Books with fine books of poetry, and we wish them the best in their worthwhile endeavors. Click here for more info.

The Honest Pint

Tavern Books is pleased to announce its forthcoming subscription series, The Honest Pint, which will be edited by Matthew Dickman. Here's how it works: each month, subscribers will receive a brief prose piece written by a contemporary poet celebrating the work of another poet. Each piece will be uniquely printed and accompanied by exciting ephemera. Nothing digital about it. This analog-era throwback is all about paper, ink, and a poet’s brain. The monthly Honest Pint will take many shapes: traditional essay, cross-genre experiment, cartoon strip, hand-written note, a brief interview—you name it! The purpose of this series is to connect the diverse landscape of contemporary poets to the reading public in a casual, meaningful, and unexpected way. We'll offer subscriptions starting in December, and will mail out the first honest print in January 2013. We have many exciting authors lined up for this project, including Albert Goldbarth and Diane Wakoski. Also in the works is the Tavern Books iPhone app. Check back soon!

Welcome aboard, Natalie!

We're pleased to announce that Natalie Garyet is the new Managing Editor of Tavern Books. Natalie is a graduate of Lewis & Clark College, is a poet, hails from Boulder, Colorado, and is active in the Portland arts and nonprofit scene. She'll be working on every aspect of the press, from editing to grant writing to taking the lead on our Poetry State program. Tavern Books has really taken off this past year, and we're thrilled that Natalie will be adding her voice and vision to the press.

Cheers!

Good for the brain!

Just wanted to pass along this great snapshot from one of the Tavern faithful, Dr. Mike Wynn, a neurologist working in Salem, Oregon. Dr. Wynn keeps his waiting room stocked with a rotating selection of Tavern Books titles! Pictured here is Ashulia by Zubair Ahmed, Casual Ties by David Wevill, and Buson: Haiku by Yosa Buson. How cool is that!?

We have many things cooking at Tavern Books: our website has been redesigned and expanded (with more features in the works); our Poetry State program is going gangbusters, and our forthcoming series, The Host Pint , is just about to be launched.

In other news--23 Sandy Gallery and Tavern board member Gabe Boehmer recently hosted a wonderful fundraiser for Tavern Books. Many thanks to 23 Sandy and Gabe for a special event! For you Portlanders, be sure to head down to 23 Sandy Gallery and check out their new exhibit, INKED. Among the great work there is a piece by Rory Sparks of Em Space. Rory is an insanely talented printer and book artist, and she's also binding a run of Tavern titles into hardcover. Waoh, do they look amazing!

Stay tuned, and happy reading.