[Michael Juster]

In the primordial days before the Internet and West Chester when I was trying to teach myself how to write formal poetry in obscure isolation, I wore out my copy of Lewis Turco's The Book of Forms, so it is a great pleasure to have two poems of no enduring value included in his new revised and expanded edition. The index is a mess, but the text itself is a great delight by one of my favorite eccentric geniuses.

My pleasure is compounded by proximity to many past and current Eratoactivists: Mark Allinson, Catherine Chandler, Rhina Espaillat, Sam Gwynn, Jan Hodge, Robert Mezey and Robert Schechter (who has quite a number of poems included). Apologies if I or the index excluded anyone!

It would be an indispensable additon to your library even without the work of your friends.

[Jayne Osborn]

This is marvellous news, Michael.

Congratulations to you and all the other spherians with poems in this new edition. I have a copy of the Third Edition (2000), which is well used but almost in mint condition; I'll donate it to the poetry group I sometimes go to, and treat myself to the new one!

In fact, I left off writing this to dash off to Amazon and order it.

[Charlotte Innes]

Fantastic, Michael! Like Jayne, I have a Third edition, still in good shape, but it looks like I'm going to have to treat myself--oh, I can donate my Third edition to my school library, of course!

Charlotte

[Cally Conan-Davies]

Mark Allinson!!! Now that's a name after my own name!!! G'donya, Hub!

(Mark is Rayne's dad, Jayne! The Sphere was such a different place when he was here! WAR all the time!!!! Great days...)

Thanks for news of the revised edition, Michael!

[Janice D. Soderling]

I've been looking forward to this. Thanks for announcing it.

I'm not giving away my old one until I see what's cut .

[Lance Levens]

Terrific news, Michael. I'm ordering one on Amazon.

[Jayne Osborn]

I'm not giving away my old one until I see what's cut .

Wise words, Janice. The new book arrived today, and the first thing I looked up was 'Clerihew'; I do know the form but wanted to double-check the details because of the thread over on D & A. There isn't a specific section on it, so I'll be hanging onto my Third Edition after all, in case any other stuff's been cut!

[Susan d.S.]

No Clerihews?

What's been added? (Other than the great examples!)

[Jayne Osborn]

I haven't done a comparison, Susan, but having both editions covers all the bases!

It's really great to see Spherians' work in the new book. (I'd list them but I'm scared of omitting someone.)

[Jean L. Kreiling]

Thanks for this news, Michael, and congratulations. I've ordered my copy.

Best,
Jean