One thing I didn't specify in the main post about the launches was what I meant by local poets. I may as well define that here. Since the whole effort will depend on the time and energy of one person, yours truly, then for the first few months I will limit the area served to London and the immediate surrounding towns, as far out as St. Thomas and Ingersoll. If it turns out that not too many books are being turned out in that area (I think I can handle about one a month on average without going into cardiac arrest), then I will probably expand the area to include Sarnia, Stratford and Woodstock.
Our very first launch, at least that I know of right now, will be for Penn Kemp, who is launching her next book, From Dream Sequins, at London Open Mic Poetry Night's special National Poetry Month Reading on April 24th at Landon Library. We will precede the event with our online book launch.
If you, or anyone you know, will be releasing a poetry book or chapbook, definitely get ahold of me. Poets only have to fulfill one requirement, that they have previously been published in two discriminating literary journals. If they are unknown to me they will have to provide evidence that that requirement has been fulfilled. Otherwise, there are no requirements in terms of the book itself. It can be self-published or commercial, online-only or made out of paper. Because, let's face it, not even the best Canadian poets can walk into a big publishing house and expect to be greeted with a big smile.
My email: burfield@live.com
Stan Burfield, organizer