Visit us at the Kansas Book Festival on Saturday, September 24

 Meadowlark Press looks forward to visiting with you at the 11th annual Kansas Book Festival on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at Washburn University in Topeka. The event will be hosted by the Mabee Library at the center of campus.

Presentations include author talks, outdoor performances, a book-art exhibit, food trucks, and exhibitor tents. Meadowlark will have our books available for sale, including two 2022 Kansas Notable Titles: Ava: A Year of Adventure in the Life of an American Avocet, by Mandy Kern, illustrated by Onalee Nicklin and Blue Collar Saint, poems by Brenda Leigh White.

Saturday, September 24, 2022, 9:00AM to 4:00PM

Free Admission and Open to the General Public

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9:00AM Kansas Notable Book Awards, Mabee Library Lounge

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3:00PM Straight Talk from Kansas Publishers, Mabee Library, Bottom Level 

Panel including Meadowlark Press, Blue Cedar Press, Personal Chapters, University Press of Kansas & Flint Hills Publishing

Learn more about the event at kansasbookfestival.com. 

2022 Kansas Notable Titles by Meadowlark Press

Open Submission Reminder + Blue Collar Saint Excerpt

What a December, readers and friends!

Whew. How are you all doing? We invite you to comment below--seriously, we want to know! 

Perhaps you're enjoying a couple of days of rest in before another party? Perhaps getting in some reading time? Ahh, yes. The Meadowlark crew is reading Birdy submissions this week! 

PERHAPS, yes, perhaps, you are fine-tuning your poetry manuscript for our open submission period that closes with the end of 2021! 

Find submission instructions HERE

Brenda's Book Launch & Open Mic, Saturday, December 4 in Emporia

Emporian’s Debut Poetry Collection Published by Meadowlark Press

 

The book launch for Brenda Leigh White’s collection of poetry, Blue Collar Saint, will be held at Twin Rivers Winery, 627 Commercial, Emporia, Saturday, December 4, 4:00-6:00pm. The author, along with friends and supporters, will share work from Brenda’s collection followed by a short open mic opportunity for attendees.

 

White is a native of Emporia, Kansas, but her heart resides on the family farm in Morris County. Her most favorite place in Kansas is the woods and creek on the farm. There she has seen snakes fishing in a puddle and found a baby western box turtle at the natural spring feeding into the creek. She has had poetry published in Quivira and The Flint Hills Review. What she loves most about living in Kansas is the beauty of the flint hills and the state motto, ad astra per aspera, “to the stars through difficulties.” 

Cheryl Unruh, Kansas Notable author, says, “With unapologetic honesty and a masterful use of language, Brenda Leigh White, in Blue Collar Saint, cycles through whimsy, curiosity, and harsh reality. Always questioning the world around her, White writes with sharpness, clarity, and wit, leaving the reader alternately gutted and longing for more.” 

Emporia poet Kerry Moyer says, “The verses in Blue Collar Saint were born on the assembly line, in the working-class spaces and places of this poetic traveler’s journey. White shares her scars and lays bare a resilience rooted in wit, intelligence, and strength. This is a fine collection, from an authentic new voice in Kansas poetry.”

Blue Collar Saint is available for order through meadowlark-books.square.site and may be ordered through any bookseller. Learn more at www.meadowlark-books.com.

 

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Wednesday Excerpt: Blue Collar Saint, by Brenda White

 Here's a little teaser for an upcoming book of poetry that you will see on the Meadowlark bookshelf this year. (YOUR bookshelf too! In fact, feel free to go ahead and place your order today!) We look forward to adding Brenda White (a 2020 Birdy Poetry Prize Finalist) to our collection of poets in 2021.

Brenda White’s verse resounds deeply, even in the dark places and in sentiments we Midwest working class folk don’t often like to share. One might say she gives voice to the masses, her verse capturing the light and dark of those who dare to dream, even when we suspect our dreams might end in disappointment. Only a true poet can turn life’s harsh realities into line and stanza that move us to reflect, connect, and read again. 

Enjoy these excerpts from Brenda's upcoming book of poetry.