The · Plasteel · Spider · Factory

As part of its National Poetry Month series, Tor.com has posted a lovely review by Brit Mandelo (britmandelo) of the latest issue of Mythic Delirium. Among the things she had to say:

Every poem in Mythic Delirium 26 has powerful imagery; capturing in words a startling scene or visual is something that speculative poetry lends itself to. The majority of the poets also have fun with syntax and diction in ways that produce interesting tensions. Another thing that is intriguing about this issue is something that Allen notes in his introduction: the sense of community among speculative poets in on display here. That closeness produces and inspires so much continuing work — poems for birthdays, poems for other poets’ recent work; the strands of influence and inspiration are an intricate spider’s web to trace across the readings in the issue.

The issue itself is organized in a thematic arc — it opens with science fictional poems and then shifts through fantastic genres, with poems grouped along the spectrum. That, in particular, is one reason I thought to include Mythic Delirium 26 in our Poetry Month discussions: it’s a good introduction to spec-poetry, thanks to the variety within.

Congratulations to all the contributors, and special congrats to G.O. Clark, S. Brackett Robertson (aliseadae), Rose Lemberg (rose_lemberg), Alexandra Seidel (alexa_seidel), Amal El-Mohtar (tithenai), Sonya Taaffe (sovay), C.S.E. Cooney (csecooney), and Virginia M. Mohlere (snowy_owlet), whose works were highlighted for further praise and scrutiny. (And of course, if you want to read them yourself, here's how to get them.)

I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that this series also contains a review of Stone Telling 7, an appreciation of Goblin Fruit, and excellent poems by Catherynne M. Valente, Jo Walton and Roz Kaveney. To Tor.com, the Poetry Guy doffs his hat in gratitude.

I'd also be remiss in not pointing out that tomorrow is the final day of the Mythic Delirium 27 submission window.