Editors' Letter: No Further Issues of Kakalak Anthology
Dear Kakalak Poets, Artists, and Friends:
It is with regret we announce there will be no further issues of Kakalak Anthology of Carolina Poets in the foreseeable future.
Over the past four years, it has been our great honor to compile and publish some of the finest poetry and art in the Carolinas. We have held readings in libraries and bookstores in the mountains and piedmont and at the coast. We have featured work from poets laureate of both states, as well as works from first-time-published poets. For the past three years, we’ve featured a special contributor’s section highlighting the previous years’ winners of the poetry and art prizes. This section showcased new works from those individuals. And we’ve awarded thousands of dollars in prize monies to well-deserving poets and artists.
We are to some extent a victim of our own success. From the first contest with upwards of 1100 entries and on, this process has been bigger and better than we expected. We are proud of the quality of each of our four editions. Each year, our aim was to improve on the book from the year before. We took time off this year to determine how we could best improve the quality of both the anthology and our service to contributors. Sadly, we determined that to improve Kakalak going forward would require more time, more money, more resources than we are able or willing to provide.
That said, it’s been a wonderful ride. It has been a joy to showcase such fine work. Over the years, the Kakalak readings have brought together the poetry community, allowing for friendships and inspiration. The process has taught us much about poetry and editing. We are the better for serving our fellow poets and artists these past four years.
The new year will see us each working on books of our own. Look for them late this year or early next. We hope to keep in touch with the Kakalak community. Send us news of your successes and work. And thank you for your support and interest.
All our best,
Richard Allen Taylor
Beth Cagle Burt
Lisa Zerkle
co-editors, Kakalak: Anthology of Carolina Poets