I'm thrilled to announce that I just received notice The Kent State University has agreed to publish my submission to an anthology titled, Dear Vaccine -- also, to learn that my entry was selected, from thousands of submissions and 118 countries, to be included in this noble anthology!
Dear Vaccine meaningfully documents everyday experiences of the pandemic and gives voice to our shared wishes and aspirations for the future.
The book will have an introduction from acclaimed poet Naomi Shihab Nye; a foreword from Richard Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States, and an afterword by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. It is slated to be published in Spring 2022.
The director of the Wick Poetry Center, David Hassler, had these eloquent words to say about this global project:
We often turn to poetry in times of difficulty and confusion and grief and intense emotion. We find that people are turning to this project and finding some solace in giving shape and expression to their feelings that haven’t been expressed.
Our hope is this valuable anthology will have an international market among those eager to make meaning out of the pandemic as well as a compelling role to play in furthering the vaccination effort -- especially among children.
Below, is a video how this global poem began: