Paterson Literary Review 2023 #51
The Paterson Literary Review (PLR), edited by Maria Mazziotti Gillan since 1979, is huge in every sense of the word. It is an annual anthology of poets and fiction writers both famous and new. Brimming with energy and vitality, PLR publishes real work for real people.
Allen Ginsberg, Philip Levine, Galway Kinnell, William Stafford, Ruth Stone, Sonia Sanchez, Laura Boss, Marge Piercy, David Ray, and Diane di Prima have all been published in PLR.
For submission guidelines and to purchase the latest and back issues, see patersonliteraryreview.com
PLR is listed on NewPages.com which has news, information, and guides to literary magazines, independent publishers, creative writing programs, alternative periodicals, indie bookstores, writing contests, and more.
Richard Blanco reading at the Poetry Center
Beginning in 2015, the Poetry Center began to digitize its video collection of readings and events. Please view and unsubscribe to our YouTube channel.
New Jersey Poetry Calendar
The Poetry Center compiles ten issues (September-June) of the New Jersey Poetry Calendar which has been awarded several Citations of Excellence and is funded, in part, by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
To include your reading, send your listing typed, in the same format as the current calendar. Listings must be received before the first of the month preceding the month in which the reading is taking place. Send information via email to sdesai@pccc.edu. No listings will be accepted by phone or postal mail.
During the Covid pandemic, the calendar was suspended, but we hope to begin again soon. A sample calendar (pdf)
The Poetic Legacy of Whitman, Williams, and Ginsberg, edited by Maria Mazziotti Gillan and Susan Amsterdam, is a collection of essays presented at the conference "Celebrating the Poetic Legacy of Whitman, Williams, and Ginsberg" at Passaic County Community College on June 3, 2017.
The essays present varied perspectives on these three major writers connected with New Jersey and the development of 20th and 2lst century American literature. In addition, some of them deal with teaching American literature and teaching creative writing relying on the narrative method.
This book is not only an historical document on the conference but also an exploration of the American literary tradition.
Photo by Mark Hillringhouse
In 2014, the Center published the Great Falls Anthology celebrating Paterson's Great Falls, the Passaic River, and related environmental issues. The anthology contains poetry rooted in the literary tradition that honors place, narrative, clarity, and specificity. An event to launch the anthology was held in May 2014 with readings by many of the contributors.
The American Voice in Poetry: The Legacy of Whitman, Williams, and Ginsberg anthologized poems that capture places and experiences of North Jersey with contributions by 45 poets from New Jersey, New York, and many other states. It was part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Poetry Center at PCCC.
The New Jersey Poetry Resource Book is published and updated by the Poetry Center for New Jersey poets to help them find resources that will develop and promote their writing and enjoy the art of poetry.
The Resource Book includes information on:
Major Organizations
Writers’ Conferences & Festivals
Reading Series
Literary Publications
Poetry Workshops
New Jersey Poetry Calendar
Small Presses
Enrichment Programs
Online Event Postings
View the 2016 updated book or download a pdf copy for reference & printing
In partnership with the Theater and Poetry Project (TAPP), The Poetry Center publishes an anthology of the winners of the Student Poetry Contest for students in the Paterson Public Schools.