[Rick Mullin]

I have a few things to report.

I had a poem up at We Are Kin about a week ago--"Chimaera." They also accepted "My Fisherman's Sweater."

The Literary Bohemian has accepted a poem called "De Profundis."

My old chestnut, "The Sandwich Man of Thornall Towers," was accepted in an anthology of sonnets that Mary Meriam is compiling at Headmistress Press called Irresistible Sonnets. Very glad to be in that one.

Another Sonnet, "Star Trek," was accepted by Great Weather for Media for their 2013 anthology. And my seven-sonnet crown, "Lexanne," will be in Rabbit Ears, an anthology of TV poems that I know Holly is in.

I have signed off on the final draft of my collection Coelacanth, which is due out in June, maybe in time for West Chester.

All my work comes through here, it seems. Thanks to all as always.

Rick

[Rick Mullin]

Thanks for reading this mawkishly padded list, friends. I'm trying to convince myself I'm still in the game (I got the wind knocked out of me at New Walk, which reviewed Soutine).

[Quincy Lehr]

Sorry about the negative review, Rick. I can't even get my book-lengther into print, as it happens. Glad to hear about the upcoming collection, in any event.

[Rick Mullin]

Oh, I'll be OK. Thanks.

[Bonnie Phares]

Congratulations, Rick. You are really doing well! You are very accomplished.

Bonnie

[Ned Balbo]

Hi, Rick, I'm looking forward to checking out the new work I can find on line. I especially look forward to "Star Trek." (Yes, I'm a nerd...) Do you know Bryan Dietrich's collection Prime Directive?

I'm sorry to hear Soutine got a bad review. I think it's excellent, as are the Stones Jones Canzones. In any case, congrats on having so much good news overshadow the bad!

[RCL]

Rick, I’m not sure what the connection is between you and the Beach Boys, but your link reminded me of back in 1969 or early 70s when I still lived in Beverly Glen Canyon and discovered them rehearsing in a nearby garage. Another time, climbing over the hills above the Stone Canyon reservoir, I found them playing in a clearing, we talked, I said a poem or two, and we smoked. Clever guys. Maybe something (for me) to write about!

And Wow, congrats on your projects!

Ralph

[W.F. Lantry]

Originally Posted by Rick Mullin

Thanks for reading this mawkishly padded list, friends. I'm trying to convince myself I'm still in the game (I got the wind knocked out of me at New Walk, which reviewed Soutine).

Rick,

Best not to worry about such things. I've always liked Vadim Vadimovich's attitude in Look At The Harlequins:

"
GERRY Do you ever see this paper, Vadim (accenting "Vadim" incorrectly on the first syllable)? Mister (naming a particularly lively criticule) has demolished your Olga (my novel about the professors; it had come out only now in the British edition).

VADIM May I give you a drink? We'll toast him and roast him.

GERRY Yet he's right, you know. It is your worst book. Chute complete, says the man. Knows French, too.

LOUISE No drinks. We've got to rush home. Now heave out of that chair. Try again. Take your glasses and paper. There. Au revoir, Vadim. I'll bring you those pills tomorrow morning after I drive him to school."

Of course, much of the hilarity comes from Gerry's naïveté...

Best,

Bill

[R. Nemo Hill]

With all due respect, Rory, I don't find Siham's comment in any way 'insulting'. You make many good points in your response, but Siham's comment from a different perspective is likewise rather perceptive. It's not an either/or issue here--and if we are to take you at your word, the role of a critic can and must also be subjected to the same sort of review as the work of the poet, both positively and negatively observed. There have been many fine writer's throughout history who have been far more scathing about that critical role than Siham has in her gently worded and fascinating characterization of it.

Nemo

[Roger Slater]

"Insulting" may be too strong a word, but I do suppose I would feel at least somewhat offended if people accused me of saying negative things in a review not because I believed them to be true, but only because I felt an obligation to find fault.