New shipping charges, schedule changes, website updates...

Shipping costs go up every so often.  I don't suppose it is any secret that the shipping charges I set up in The Poet's Haven Boutique were less than what it actually costs to package and ship the books.  I based the rates on postal costs of two years ago, figuring it would help more books move.  Me then deciding to mark down books that we have larger quantities of on top of the too-low shipping charges... well, it wasn't my brightest idea.  So, unfortunately, I've now had to adjust the shipping costs in the online store.  HOWEVER, I've also implemented something to actually reduce your shipping charge on larger orders.  Read on...

For orders in the USA, the first item's shipping will be $2.00.  Each additional item will add another $1.00.  This will max out at $10.00.  I repeat, the MAXIMUM SHIPPING CHARGE will be $10.

For orders from Canada, the first item's shipping will be $2.50.  Each additional item will add another $1.25.  This will max out at $13.00.  Again, the MAXIMUM (CANADIAN) SHIPPING CHARGE is $13.00.  (That's US dollars, by the way.)

Larger orders may be shipped via UPS instead of via the post office.

That said, I am making an attempt to produce more titles in the "pocket size" format (such as the Lake Effect Poetry 2012 Team Anthology and Michael Bernstein's "8s").  The advantage of publishing a book this size is that it can be mailed with a normal postage stamp.  This means I will be able to make FREE SHIPPING offers on these books.  All upcoming Poet's Haven Digest anthologies will be published in this format.  Several upcoming Author Series chapbooks are also being produced pocket-sized.  (This might not apply to October's release of Jen Pezzo's "Imaginary Conversations," as the book will be 72 pages and may weigh more than a first-class stamp can cover.  I'll find out as soon as I have a completed proof copy in my hands.)

I have also reached a decision about next year's publishing schedule.  Actually, I'm largely scrapping HAVING a schedule all together.  I have decided to copy something my friend John Burroughs does at Crisis Chronicles Press.  Instead of having a release schedule, I am just going to keep a queue of upcoming titles.  This will allow me flexibility in releasing books, sometimes releasing several books in rapid succession, sometimes having a break between releases when a project requires more time to complete or I need to devote time to another Poet's Haven project (cough, podcasts, cough cough).  Release dates will be announced when a title is ready to be printed, announcements will be kept vague until that point.  I am hoping that this flexibility will allow me to release no less than 18 books next year.  (Poet's Haven will have released 8 titles this year, 6 Author Series chapbooks, the Lake Effect anthology, and the upcoming Vending Machine release.  A Digest release may also be added to this year's total.)

Earlier tonight, I caught up with the online submission queue, adding two new short stories and 25 new poems to the galleries.  :-)

I'm hoping you'll be seeing some changes to the gallery's programming in the very near future.  There's a number of issues I've been trying to get my brain around for a few years now that have proven to be beyond my meager programming skills, so I finally broke down and reached out for some professional programming help. Hopefully, this'll lead to getting PoetsHaven.com version 3.0 done once and for all.  The changes will be rolled out over time, though, with each new or improved function being rolled out when it is ready.  Also, hopefully, this will mean that the site never has to experience any down-time during the roll outs.  Stay tuned...

Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

The Poet's Haven will be sharing a table at the Avant-Garde East-Side Art & Craft Show this Sunday in Solon.  Becki Cooper (the show organizer) just posted this interview with me on the show's blog.  :-)

http://neoeastsideavantgardeshows.blogspot.com/2012/09/its-show-weekend-use-your-words.html

Behind the times in posting blogs...

With so many thing happening and going on here at all times, I find I always forget to post things here on the blog.  Sure, I'll post a quick announcement on Facebook, but I never remember to actually write up a full release and post it here.  So, this one will have to cover quite a bit of news. :-)

We are now accepting submissions for this year's "VENDING MACHINE: Poetry for Change" anthology.  The Vending Machine release/food-drive event will be held on November 17th at Karma Cafe in Canton.

November 17th also marks the 5th anniversary of the first Saturday Night With The Poet's Haven event.  Since that first show was held to mark the website's 10th anniversary, you know what that means...

This coming Halloween will mark the 15th anniversary of The Poet's Haven!!!

What better way to mark Poet's Haven's anniversary than with the long-awaited publication of Jen Pezzo's first chapbook, "Imaginary Conversations."  This will be the eleventh title in The Poet's Haven Author Series, and beautiful art from Tim Buck will grace the front cover.  Jen has been a regular contributor to The Poet's Haven since the early days and even helped edit our 2000 "Poet's Haven Digest" magazine, so it pleases me to no end that her book will be released just in time for the anniversary.  :-)

I also had the honor of publishing Carla Thompson's "Anywhere Else But Here" last month.  I'm still hearing rave reviews for Carla's awesome performance of "Bullet Proof" in Lake Effect Poetry's first National Poetry Slam bout, and that is just one of the brilliant pieces inside this book.

Our next Stardust Poetry show at Karma Cafe (September 25th) will feature Kara Johnston.  Kara is a Kent State graduate who recently had her second chapbook published by NightBallet Press.

The next Canton's First Friday Poetry Spectacular (October 5) will feature J.G. The Jugganaut from Columbus.  November 2nd's First Friday Poetry will feature Mary Turzillo, whose "Lovers & Killers" was recently published by Dark Regions Press.

This coming Sunday, September 23rd, The Poet's Haven will be sharing a table with Writing Knights Press at the Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show in Solon.  This show will be at the Terry Macklin Entertainment & Event Centre, from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM.  We are hoping to get tables at more of the Avant-Garde shows, as well as other art shows, as they provide us the opportunity to showcase our publications to a new customer base.

That's all I can remember to post at the moment.  Hopefully, I'll remember to get the other upcoming show announcements posted here once all the features are confirmed. :-)  Catch you later!  --VX

BIG CHAPBOOK CLEARANCE SALE!!!

I'll be blunt.  No highlighting the positive, downplaying the negative here.  In three weeks, I will no longer have a day-job.  My evil day-job is being shipped somewhere else, and as of right now, I do not have anything lined up to replace it.  The long-story-short of this is that means I won't have any personal funds available to pick up the slack when book sales aren't covering everything The Poet's Haven produces.

A gracious anonymous* donation has supplied us with enough paper to print the interiors of the rest of this year's scheduled books. (*I know who it was, but I'm not allowed to tell you.)  We still need to make sure we have the ink, toner, and cover-stock to complete the next three Author Series titles' print-runs (as well as one or two Digest anthologies).  So, in order to make sure Poet's Haven has the funds to keep the upcoming book releases on schedule, we need to move some inventory, fast, and that means it is time for a BIG CHAPBOOK CLEARANCE SALE!

Head over to The Poet's Haven Boutique and you'll find books for 20, 30, 40, 50, and even 60% off the cover price!  But that's not all, for a limited time (as in while the supply lasts), purchase any two or more items from the Boutique and you can get a copy of C.M. Brooks' "A Thousand Voices" for FREE!!!  Read this linked page for the specific details.

Even if you aren't able to take advantage of these huge mark-down savings, PLEASE help spread the word to all your poetry reading friends.

Thanks!

--VX

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Poet's Haven Digest anthologies

The Poet's Haven has issued four OPEN CALLS for submissions to upcoming Poet's Haven Digest anthologies. Please review the themes and instructions below and consider submitting work to one or more of these books.

Poet's Haven Digest anthologies are not published on any set schedule. When enough material has been accepted to complete one of the anthologies, that submission call will be closed and the book will be published when Vertigo has time to get the work done. The hope is that at least one, preferably two of these books can be ready for publication by October 2012, which marks The Poet's Haven's 15th anniversary.

If you notice a trend in the themes towards the fantastic, it is because these are themes that the publisher enjoys reading.

Publication in this series pays one copy. Authors with work in an anthology can also purchase up to ten additional copies at a 50% discount.


"We Only Come Out at Night"
THEME: VAMPIRES AND WEREWOLVES
The Poet's Haven is seeking poetry about vampires and werewolves for an upcoming Poet's Haven Digest publication titled "We Only Come Out at Night." We are NOT looking for sparkly teen angst melodrama "vampires." Vampires and were-creatures should be bad-ass. We don't want Louis, we want Lestat. NOTE: Writings set in White Wolf's "Vampire: The Masquerade" role-play game universe MAY be acceptable, so long as they do not reference anything that would fall under the game publisher's copyrights and trademarks. "Dracula" is in public domain, so work utilizing characters from Bram Stoker's novel are acceptable.
Submissions should be sent to: PHDvamps[AT]PoetsHaven.com


"On Velvet Feet"
THEME: CATS
The Poet's Haven is seeking poetry about cats for an upcoming Poet's Haven Digest publication titled "On Velvet Feet." Poems written from a cat's perspective or viewpoint are highly encouraged.
Submissions should be sent to: PHDcats[AT]PoetsHaven.com


Title TBD
THEME: ALIENS
The Poet's Haven is seeking poetry dealing with extraterrestrials for an upcoming Poet's Haven Digest publication. We are not looking for alien-conspiracy, "X-Files" type aliens, but rather work more akin to "Alien Nation," where extraterrestrials are already among us, and how our world and culture looks to their alien perspectives.
Submissions should be sent to: PHDaliens[AT]PoetsHaven.com


Title TBD
THEME: VILLAINS
The Poet's Haven is seeking poetry dealing with villains and super-villains for an upcoming Poet's Haven Digest publication. An item to remember is that the villains usually believe themselves to be the heroes. Suggested inspiration; "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog," "Pinky and the Brain," and "A Clockwork Orange."
Submissions should be sent to: PHDvillains[AT]PoetsHaven.com




To see when new calls are posted or when these calls get closed, bookmark:
http://calls.PoetsHaven.com

Saturday Night With The Poet's Haven: June 16

June 16th's Saturday Night With The Poet's Haven event at Phoenix Coffee in South Euclid will feature Julia Jones and a team performance by Robert Miltner and Bob Kunzinger!

JULIA JONES-CLOUDEN is in the middle and best part of her love affair with poetry. To her relief, when her husband found out he was okay with it. A mother of two girls, she find it hard to see her lover but always finds time. She will be going to Brave New Voices this July as part of Cleveland's SlamU youth poetry slam team.

ROBERT MILTNER is the author of "Hotel Utopia," winner of the New Rivers Press book award, and a finalist for the Ohioana award in poetry. His work has been published in "Diagram," "Sentence," "Pleiades," "LIT," "New York Quarterly," and "Bellingham Review." He co-edits "Quickly," "Buried Letter Press," and "The Raymond Carver Review."

BOB KUNZINGER has written five collections of creative nonfiction, including the forthcoming "Borderline Crazy." He has been published in many regional and national journals including "Southern Humanities Review," "The Chronicle of Higher Education," and has been noted by "Best American Essays." He edits All Nations Press in Virginia.

After the features, there is an open-mic. Poets and musicians wishing to perform at the open-mic can sign-up at 6:30. The features will begin at 7:00. ALL TIMES LISTED ARE REAL-TIME, NOT "POETRY STANDARD TIME." In other words, GET HERE BEFORE 7:00!!!

This is an ALL-AGES/UNMODERATED event, meaning kids are welcome to attend and participate, but parents should be aware that there are no restrictions on language. Some performances may include coarse language.


Phoenix Coffee is located at 4441 Mayfield Road, South Euclid, OH 44121. There is a parking lot in front of the cafe, but if it is full there is additional parking available one block to either side, in front of Giant Eagle or behind Marcs. For RTA riders, the #9 bus stops directly in front of the cafe.

explanation...

Someone saw my last post (about the super-special offer on chapbooks) and asked me how a dental expense could be poetry-related.  So, and explanation...

The day before March's First Friday Poetry Spectacular, I learned that the show had been moved to the Ed Center instead of Cable Hall.  This led to me clenching my jaw and grinding my teeth while figuring out how to get the word out about the different location and what changes in setup and equipment I would need for the new location.  Clenching my jaw and grinding my teeth caused one of my molars to break in half, and led to the need for a root canal and a dental crown (which my insurance barely covered half of.)  See?  Poetry-related dental expense.

SUPER SPECIAL on Poet's Haven Chapbooks!

So, if you're one of the many folks who read The Poet's Haven's online galleries but haven't yet purchased any of our Author Series chapbooks, do I have an offer for you!  Right now, and only for a limited time, you can get all 8 books published by The Poet's Haven for just $32 with FREE SHIPPING.  That's 20% off the cover price, plus FREE SHIPPING.  Plus, the next FOUR people to take advantage of this awesome offer will get a FREE BONUS ITEM!  Don't miss out!
http://boutique.PoetsHaven.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=20_26&product_id=73

Why are we doing this?  We need to raise some cash, fast, to cover some upcoming publishing projects and prepare for more big poetry events, working to expand modern poetry's audience.  Plus, Vertigo's got a bunch of (poetry related) car and dental bills that need paid ASAP, so his own finances are tied up at the moment.  :-)

The Poet's Haven presents "Is Anybody Listening?" by Vladimir Swirynsky

Vladimir Swirynsky led a normal life for 45 years. On his first visit to Mardi Gras, he was swept away by the music, the sights and energy of a million people, helping inspire him to become a writer. Poetry has played an important part in him overcoming his inhibitions. He has performed in most of the major cities and he has devoted a good portion of his time to reading for the elderly and at veteran homes. He hopes to save enough money so he can get his car fixed, get plates, and after 50 years finally leave Ohio and settle out west. His new home will be where his car decides to break down, hopefully Arizona.

Recorded April 2010 in Lakewood, OH

RUNTIME: 22:27

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The Poet's Haven presents "Terror Takes Over" by Michelle Sinsky

Michelle Sinsky is a graduate of Akron University now pursuing her MFA at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is a writer/blogger for Monkeybicyle Literary Journal and a contributor to Anobium Literary Journal.

Recorded January 2010 in Akron, OH

RUNTIME: 12:56

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