April is National Poetry Month, making it a perfect time of year to grab your favorite literary work and enjoy the ever-changing spring weather. Inspired by the successful celebrations of Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March), the Academy of American Poets established National Poetry Month in 1996.
The Raven Chronicles, an organization that creates journals of art, literature, and spoken word, exemplifies what National Poetry Month represents. Publishing their first issue in 1991, The Raven Chronicles strive to promote literary endeavors within the greater Seattle area.
In late summer, Raven Chronicles Press, the book-publishing venture of Raven Chronicles Literary Organization, will publish two books. The first, Stealing Light: A Raven Chronicles Anthology, Selected work from Summer, 1991 — Fall, 1996, edited by Paul Hunter, Kathleen Alcalá, Phoebe Bosché, Stephanie Lawyer, Tiffany Midge and Matt Briggs, is a snapshot of Raven Chronicles first issues. The second book, Words from the Café, is an anthology of writings from emerging artists at Seattle’s Recovery Café in their journey toward recovery from addiction and/or mental illness. Words from the Café is edited by Anna Bálint with photos by Willie Pugh.
In 2017, Raven Chronicles Press will publish an anthology of the work of poets who read at our co-sponsored event at the downtown Seattle Public Library, “Poets Against Hate.” 48 poets read on February 13, 2016, including Seattle’s Civic Poet, Claudia Castro Luna. The entire event was filmed by Seattle Channel and can be viewed here. For more information about Raven Chronicles, upcoming events and announcements, and for videos of readings and audio recordings, visit www.ravenchronicles.org; Phone: 206-941-2955; Email: editors@ravenchronicles.org
What does being a Civic Partner mean to The Raven Chronicles? “Being a Civic Partner means that Raven Chronicles is a part of the cultural fabric of the City of Seattle; that Raven endeavors to help enrich the cultural makeup of the City; that our culturally-diverse audiences and writers and artists encourage ongoing discussions about what it means to live in a multicultural city and nation.”
The Raven Chronicles personifies the type of organization that the Civic Partners program funds. The Civic Partner program awards funding to arts, cultural, and heritage organizations in all disciplines with a minimum three-year history of serving Seattle residents and visitors. The City’s investment is aimed at creating broad public access to a rich array of quality arts opportunities while promoting a healthy and diverse cultural community.
