Why you "Must-Read..." Michael Cantor ...
 

... don't quote me. Quote the Massachusetts Book Award folk who have selected Life in the Second Circle by our own Michael Cantor as a "Must-Read-Book" in the 2013 run of the contest. In other words, he's one of the 6 finalists in the poetry category! So, if you're yet to read him, you now have that official word to push you over the hump, to Must-Read -- Get his book at Able Muse Press here (or at Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, and other online/offline booksellers).

Congratulations, Michael! Hopefully, you'll win it all.

Cheers,
...Alex

Congratulations, Michael! I hope you win. If not, it is an honor even to make the finals.

Susan

Congratulations, Michael. Now I know what I must do.

David R.

That's fantastic, Michael!

Nemo

I'm pleased for you, Michael.

Duncan

Woohoo! And it is a fine book. Good for you, Michael.

It's a wonderful book, as anyone who has watched the adventures of little Mikey in Eratoland would expect. Yes, it's a Must Read.

It is a very fine book. Congratulations, Michael.

Nice job you wicked basher!


Seriously, good luck.

Well done, Michael.

Wow, and I have a signed copy! And he's cooked dinner for me! Oh, wait, it's not all about me, is it . . .

Congratulations, Michael! A well-deserved honor.

Cheers--
Jean

Congratulations, Michael!

yes, it IS a great book! major mazeltovs and hoping to add more to that yet!

Thanks, all, and a particular thanks to Alex for (a) electing to publish the book, and (b) submitting it in the competition.

Major congrats, Michael! A well-deserved achievement.

Siham

Hey, Michael,

This is great news! Congrats! And tons of luck.

Charlotte

Wonderful. It's a great collection, Michael!

Good luck, Michael. It's a great book, so I'd be surprised if any of its rivals were better.

Way to go, Michael - we're pulling for you.

Frank

Good luck, Michael!!! and congrats!!!

Hurrah! Let's hope Mass. gets this right.

May your well-deserved run of luck continue, Michael.

Best,

Ed

Congratulations!

Couldn't be better deserved, Michael. Congratulations!

Congratulations, Michael. Great to see your name up in lights.

Chris

Congratulations Michael! And best of luck. (Though it seems luck *should* have nothing to do with it)

That was indeed great news. For Michael as poet and for Alex as publisher.

It is most certainly a classy book and deserves to win--so here's hoping.

And the winner of the 2013 Massachusetts Book Award in Poetry is....Jorie Graham! I guess she just edged me out.

Well, I know which poet I would sooner read.

Well done, Michael. Who IS this Jorie Graham?

Michael, she has the big name and the critical attention, but you have the devoted following of your peers in formal poetry. They will not be equal, but who's to say that the latter isn't better?

Susan

What Susan wisely said.

Jorie Graham.

Best,

Ed


P.S. Michael Cantor.

Gregory said:
Ditto.

I somehow neglected to add my congratulations on this thread, Michael, (sorry) but I have had a copy of your book for ages so that lets me off the hook, I reckon ;)

Jayne

So well deserved, Michael! Congrats, and may the news spread far and wide...

Siham

Congrats! Or should i say Congratulations so its long enough to suit the software:)

Ah!

As I was lying on the green
A small volume it chanced I seen.
Jorie Graham's Selected Poems was the edition.
I left it lying in the same position.

It makes us all seem so much better.

Congrats, Michael! Coming so close has to feel almost as good as winning. I don't know - I'd sure like to know how it feels, anyway.

Having sampled Jorie Graham's "Gulls", a naughty imp in me thought of what fun it would be to see them fluttering over here to meet with Michael's, famously sensitive, modifier axe. As a European outsider, I can't help feeling there is - or perhaps ought to be - some connection between this competition's choice and the rumble going on under "The latest rants" thread.

Enough of Taliban and Osama, congratulations from Pakistan
 

Dear Michael,

I am really pleased for you, its is an honour to be in the company of such an accomplished poet...congratulations! Heartfelt indeed!

warm regards,

Abid