Celebrating Literary Journals and Small Presses

Over the years Valparaiso Poetry Review and its blog, “One Poet’s Notes,” have highlighted or reviewed many fine works by authors published in small presses. As the masthead of VPR displays, one of the purposes of this journal has been to present poems, interviews, and essays by new, emerging, or well-known writers side by side, hoping to enlarge the readership for all.

Consequently, I have been pleased both Valparaiso Poetry Review and “One Poet’s Notes” have been able to expand the audience for those authors appearing on its pages and provide their works the exposure they deserve. Indeed, in just the first two months of 2009, statistics indicate the number of visits to the pages of VPR and its blog at about 50,000, the largest total thus far for a two-month span. Thank you to everyone who decided to spend some time at the beginning of a new year with the works available here.

The ever-increasing activity at Valparaiso Poetry Review reflects a healthy, widespread interest in literature released by literary journals and small presses. Therefore, Valparaiso Poetry Review takes this opportunity to recommend readers visit other literary journals and small presses, especially during the month of March, which has been designated Small Press Month. As the video above demonstrates, events have been scheduled across the country and on the Internet by small presses and literary journals, print or online, to celebrate the variety of writings readers can discover in their publications.

Valparaiso Poetry Review congratulates fellow literary journals and small presses during March and every other month, and VPR requests readers note the many links provided within the accompanying video in order to visit the web pages suggested.