Quercus Review Press

We are happy when our poets are happy, and this poet seems happy!

C. O. Aptowicz’s Review of LATE FATHER AND OTHER POEMS by Taylor Mali https://www.amazon.com//0692163298/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ZY An achingly beautiful and fearless vulnerable look at love, death and (late) fatherhood... November 30, 2018 Taylor Mali has been popular and acclaimed performance poet for more than two decades, making his name with smart, provocative work performed with theatrical skill and bravado. He cut his teeth in the poetry slam, and went on develop his trademark style in his hometown in NYC and on eager stages around the world. His poetry videos are among the most watched on YouTube. This is all to say that Taylor Mali is a writer all set up to rest on his laurels. But instead, with LATE FATHER, he challenges himself once with collection of vulnerable, celebratory and very human work. The title refers to twin themes which dance, separately and together, through out this book: the loss of own beloved father a literal half a lifetime ago, and his new role as a "late father" to two wildly wanted children. This book reads almost like a memoir-in-verse, as poems found Mali revisiting previous, purposely child-free relationships, and steers the ship of his life towards love and children. The journey is messy and beautiful, and he catalogues it all honesty. I love the moment in the book where we finish reading a tender poem about his fatherly realization of the importance of being present in the life of your child, and in the very next poem confesses how in order to present the piece, he had passed his own child to a nanny. There are laughs in this book, but there are also tears, as Mali masterfully peels back the longing for his father, and lays bare the worries he has about leaving his own son too soon. The title poem, which ends the collection, is a stunner, and worth the price of admission alone. It's aching and beautiful and rooted. Whether you are longtime fan of Mali or are just hearing about him for the first time, I highly recommend this book. What an achievement.

Here’s a second poem from my forthcoming book, Late Father & Other Poems, which is available now at most online booksellers like https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780692163290.

One Way to Live is the first of many recitations from my new book of poetry! Enjoy! And order the book at your favorite online retailer like https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780692163290

We are very excited to announce the release of LATE FATHER AND OTHER POEMS by Taylor Mali, winner of the 2017 Quercus Review Poetry Prize! This is arguably Mali's most mature and emotional work, yet many of these poems remain filled with his characteristically playful sense of humor and accessible style. You may pre-order the 1st edition, hardcover now! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/late-father-an/1129765171

Quercus Review is taking submissions for our Fall 2018 poetry book contest. Submit online today. #qrpoetrypress https://quercusreviewpress.submittable.com/submit

Since it's the weekend, take the time to dust off and edit your manuscript and send it to us. Quercus Review Press is now accepting manuscripts for our 2018 fall poetry book award. $1000 prize and book publication. Come and get it. #qrpoetrypress

Our FALL POETRY BOOK AWARD is LIVE for 2018! We can't wait to read your work! https://quercusreviewpress.com/fall-2018-poetry-book-award/

Another great review for Chad Sokolovsky's PROPHECY MECHANIC! Congrats, Chad!! https://seattlebookreview.com/product/prophecy-mechanic/

And the winner of the 2017 Quercus Review Press Poetry Book Award is "Late Father" by Taylor Mali! 2nd Place: "Cleaning the Ghost Room" by Tatiana Forero Puerta 3rd Place: "Falling Right Through" by Janet Smith... Honorable Mentions: "Scotch Tape and Paper Clips" by Sue Fagalde Lick, "Someone Else's Ampersand" by Corey Ginsberg, "Burning Man" by Jed Myers, "Family Reunion" by Grace Ocasio, "Ukulele Angel" by Finley Evans, "Beyond That Hill I Gather" by Jeffrey Kingman, "We've Never Done This Before" by Michael Carter, "My Afmerica" by Artress White, "Synonyms for Silence" by Anatoly Molotkov, "Again an Oath in the Face of Absence" by Jennifer Beebe, & "It's a Wet Rich Poor Sick Beautiful World" by Abby Caplin