"Best of the Net" Selection: "Vacancy" by Claudia Emerson

I am pleased to announce that Sundress Publications, which compiles an annual “Best of the Net” anthology of online literature, has selected “Vacancy” by Claudia Emerson, which appeared in Volume XI, Number 1 of Valparaiso Poetry Review, as one of only twelve poems chosen to be honored from all the works appearing in online publications during 2010.

The poem was chosen from among more than 500 nominated works published during 2010 in nearly 100 online literary journals for inclusion in the annual “2010 Best of the Net” edition of the anthology. I congratulate Claudia Emerson, as well as T.R. Hummer (“Evening Report”), David Kirby (“Joe Lewis in Idaho”), and Charles Wright (“Road Warriors”), whose poems from VPR were among 50 named as finalists for the “Best of the Net.”

Each year, Sundress recognizes remarkable works displaying both the wide range and fine quality of literature now appearing in a multitude of Internet magazines. As I mentioned when nominating poetry from Valparaiso Poetry Review, the editors of Sundress deserve praise for correctly bringing greater recognition to the developing presence of outstanding writing online. In addition, once more I would like to take this opportunity to thank all contributors to Valparaiso Poetry Review. I value all the poems and depend on all the poets in VPR.