[marly youmans]

Pub date (hardcover and softcover) for a new book of mine is tomorrow... Thaliad is a post-apocalyptic epic in blank verse, and am feeling the luck of small press co-conspirators; this is a marvelous-looking production with profuse art by a friend of mine, Clive Hicks-Jenkins of Wales, and design by Elizabeth Adams of Phoenicia Publishing in Montreal. The art is collage cut from painted papers. (Clive also did the "green man" art for my collection, The Foliate Head (UK: Stanza Press, 2012), and some of my book jackets.)

For a peep at poem, images, author comments from poets and novelists, and clips from the first few reviews, please hop over to http://thepalaceat2.blogspot.com/p/thaliad_7.html.

Review clip from Midori Snyder:

. . . reminiscent of heroic epics (Homer meets Gerald Manley Hopkins), and packed with fairy tale and mythic references, Thaliad recounts the aftermath of a fiery apocalypse, and the perilous journey of a band of children led by a girl whose prophetic visions guide them to a sanctuary on the edge of a lake. Here, they confront the challenges of re-creating the world – a world illuminated by hope and love.
Youmans has given . . . a wondrous text filled with richly layered and evocative poetry. Like a bardic tale, it demands to be read aloud. The images of nature are sensual, fertile, a source of healing. Violence is hammered into fierce staccato rhythms and Thalia’s ecstatic visions soar with heat and light as the human spirit is consoled by the divine. We are not spared the hardships of the journey, but through the storyteller’s voice we have confidence in our destination—it is this commitment to the angels of our better nature in Youmans' sublime poetry that gives Thaliad its power to inspire hope out of fear and love out of hate.

--Midori Snyder, "The Sublime Collaboration of Author Marly Youmans with Artist Clive Hicks-Jenkins: Thaliad," from In the Labyrinth

Today and tomorrow are the last day to pre-order the Thaliad hardcover at discount directly from Phoenicia Publishing (the way that benefits them the most.)

[Charlotte Innes]

Oh, Marly, this is so exciting. And what great comments! I will read the poem excerpts when I get my brain back--it's been a long day.... But I'm so happy for you!

Are you having a party?!

Charlotte

[marly youmans]

Charlotte, not a pub party, alas. I'm almost immediately going to Atlanta for an author luncheon and dinner. My year has just been a bit much, what with three books and the NBA judging.

But I'll be doing some jolly things later on...

[Bill Carpenter]

Congratulations, it looks wonderful. The excerpts read beautifully, so I can't wait to read the whole poem. That won't be long from now, since I've ordered it for Christmas. Best wishes, Bill

[marly youmans]

Thank you, Bill--

I hope the poem fulfills expectations throughout! I've been very lucky in book production, but this one is truly astonishing. A long friendship with Clive Hicks-Jenkins has seen us collaborating quite a bit, and this book is very special to us both, and to Beth Adams, the designer.

Good cheer, and merry Christmas-to-come to you!
Marly

[Susan d.S.]

Congratulations, Marly. I'm losing track of all your many books!