Goblin Fruit

Summer 2008 Issue of Goblin Fruit is Live!

2008-07-10T10:23:00.000-07:00

What it says on the tin! Featuring gorgeous poetry by Sonya Taaffe, Erik Amundsen, Mike Allen, Gwynne Garfinkle, Samantha Henderson, Lon Prater, Joy Marchand, Lydia Towsey, Jeanell Buida Bolton, Wendy Howe, Miranda Gaw, Joshua Davis, Joshua Gage, A. R. Stone, and Lily Yu; further, Midori Snyder and Terri Windling have graciously allowed us to reprint a poem each of theirs to lead us in and out of the issue.

When Jess and I learned that the Journal of Mythic Arts was ending, it took us about three seconds (post-recovery, which took considerably longer) to know that we wanted to dedicate this issue to the amazing people who brought myth and magic to us for twenty-one years. We hope you enjoy it.

A few fun things: first, click on the little blue buttons next to the poems in the Table of Contents to hear the author reading the poem, and know that our very own Oliver Hunter did something rather special to Terri Windling's "Night Journey."

Second, you may have noticed a new link at the top of this issue proclaiming itself to be MISCHIEF: watch that space. It's going to be fun.

Third, if any of you are posting on your various mediums o'bloggery about this issue, we invite you to share links and/or the posts with us! You can either post here or in our Livejournal Community; we're especially hungry for reviews, but any responses you have to any aspect of an issue are more than welcome.

Fourth, and this is very important: our submission guidelines have changed. Specifically, we've shortened our submission periods a bit, because we're coming to terms with the fact that we completely ignore any subs you send your way between the 1st and the 9th of a month in which we launch an issue, since we tend to work on it 'till zero hour. From now on, we open to submissions the day a new issue goes live.

Have a beautiful summer,

Amal

Spring 2008 Issue reviewed on Endicott

2008-04-19T15:34:00.000-07:00

With apologies for the delay in posting about this, please enjoy this quite delectable review of the Spring issue, courtesy of Terri Windling at Endicott. The first line on its own pleases me rather alot: "The Spring 2008 (2nd Anniversary) issue of the Goblin Fruit poetry webzine is now online, and by god is it a spectacular one."

Our nails are buffed to a high mirror shine, and so too should yours be, contributors! Enjoy!

Spring 2008 Issue of Goblin Fruit is live!

2008-04-10T22:48:00.000-07:00

It's up! Go forth and feast on poems by Dana Koster, David R. Sullivan, Anca Vlasopolos, Mary Turzillo, Alyxandra Harvey-Fitzhenry, Beth Langford, Deborah P. Kolodji, Virginia Mohlere, Joshua Gage, Holly Cooley, Erik Amundsen, Julia Rios, Joshua Davis, Sabrina L'Heureux, C.S.E. Cooney, Mary Alexandra Agner, Jasmine Johnston and Anna Marie Catoir. There's also a feature on Catherynne M. Valente, complete with interview and further poems of gorgeousness.

Keep an eye (and ear!) out, too, for a multi-voiced reading of Jasmine Johnston's "Seeds," when, in addition to the author, you'll get to hear a few other mysterious people chiming out her words.

Meantime, enjoy! Wear the stains on your lips and teeth proudly.

2008 Rhysling Nominations!

2008-03-17T02:10:00.000-07:00

We have recently secured, through the fiendish finaglings of one Mr. , the list of Goblin Fruit poems that have received Rhysling nominations. There are EIGHT of them, twice what we received last year, which, as you can imagine, pleases us very very much. Also, from the back-patting editorial side of things, we're pretty gobsmacked to find that a poem from every one of our issues last year received a nomination. Sound the trumpets and strum the harps for...

In the Short Category:

- Mike Allen, "Giving Back to the Muse," Fall '07
- A. E. Lowery, "Foodstuff," Spring '07
- Daniel R. Robichaud, "my man come back," Fall '07
- Karen A. Romanko, "They Threw Their Daughters into the Sea," Spring '07
- Rachel Swirsky, "The Oracle on River Street," Summer '07

In the Long Category:

- Mary Alexandra Agner, "The Marian Lee," Spring '07
- Katharine Mills, "Seducing the Crone," Summer '07
- Mikal Trimm, "To Ride in Service of the King," Winter '07

Congratulations to them all, and best of luck with the award!

So, we've bragged about our Rhysling nominees. But what we didn't do is brag about how, now that the official list is up, we have the second most nominations of any 'zine, print or online! Not too bad for our second year of operation, if we do say so ourselves. Mike Allen ()'s Mythic Delirium beat us by one for a total of nine nominations to our eight. To Mr. Allen we offer a hearty congratulations, whilst gleefully rubbing our hands together in anticipation of next year when we hope to do still more to earn our 'upstart' status...

Keep an eye out for the 2008 Rhysling Anthology -- clearly, it looks like it's going to be pretty fabulous. And don't forget to check out the shiny new Goblin Fruit Community on LiveJournal if you feel like frolicking with fellow fruity fans.

Winter 2008 Issue Live, and the Continuing Awesome of Endicott

2008-01-10T10:33:00.000-08:00

Rejoice and make merry, for the Winter 2008 Issue of Goblin Fruit is live!

We've stocked up for the winter where poems are concerned, because we've got not nine, not twelve, not sixteen, but twenty-two poems this issue. Featured are Jennifer Crow, JoSelle Vanderhooft, J. C. Runolfson, Sonya Taaffe, Lucinda Lawson, Maureen McQuerry, Anca Vlasopolos, Katharine Mills, Robert Borski, Joshua Gage, C. S. MacCath, Caitlyn Paxson, Stacy Cowley, Clare Walker, Claire Cooney, Sophanny Marin, Ann K. Schwader and Marcie Lynn Tentchoff.

I'd also like to announce that we've started up an LJ community for Goblin Fruit, because, you know, LJ-ers are a talkative lot, and we love to see people talking about the poems. We wanted, in our first issue, to have that be the main purpose of the Forums we've since scrapped, but alas, t'was not to be -- so hopefully, if any of you are full to bursting with delight about the issue (or brimming with blackest rage, who knows) you'll be able to vent your passions there. It is not yet pretty, but it is there to be joined, and shall soon be posted upon.

Further, Midori Snyder has graciously reviewed the issue up on the Endicott Blog. Special mentions go to Maureen McQuerry, J. C. Runolfson, Sonya Taaffe, Claire Cooney and Joshua Gage. Congratulations to you all.

So go forth and feast! Fatten yourselves up for the rest of the winter!

Endicott Mention

2007-10-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

Terri Windling's posted a lovely mention of the Fall issue up at the Endicott Blog, singling out poems by Peg Aloi, Jennifer Crow and Corey Mesler as favourites amongst the other "magical offerings." Hurray!

Fall Issue ('07!) Live!

2007-10-09T06:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, indeed it is! In the wee hours of the morning, Jess and I toasted the launching of our second Fall issue with cold spicy tea (Pumpkin for her, Soho Spice for me) and much blinking and sighing and glee. It's our biggest issue yet, with poems by Mike Allen, Peg Aloi, M. Robert Bond, Robert Borski, Jennifer Crow, Marlo Dianne, J. T. Glover, John M. Hauer, Alex Dally MacFarlane, Katharine Mills, Corey Mesler, Jamie Lee Moyer, Daniel R. Robichaud, Marcie Lynne Tentchoff and Mary Turzillo. We also really feel that Ollie's outdone himself (again) with this layout, so many mug-clinks to him as well!

Also, now's the time to shout it from the rooftops: Goblin Fruit was mentioned in Ellen Datlow, Gavin Grant and Kelly Link's Year's Best Fantasy and Horror. We scored a whole paragraph (second one in the Fantasy Poetry overview), and apparently a mantle. This is deeply pleasing, so here's a shout-out to all the fabulous contributors who made it possible!

Happy Fall (enjoy biting those apples!)

Jess and Amal

Summer 2007 Issue is Live!

2007-07-12T03:00:00.000-07:00

As of roughly 2:00 AM British Summertime this morning, the 12th of July, the new issue of Goblin Fruit is live! You'll notice the entrance graphic is both gratuitous and self-promotional; it'll stay that way (and you'll like it!) for the duration of our trip here in England.

Thanks to all our fabulous contributors, and particularly to JoSelle Vanderhooft and Marge Simon for providing us with the content of and illustrations for our very first Feature!

Also, there's a story, of course, behind the rambly Editor's Note... But you'll have to wait for another time to hear it.

In the meantime, we wish you fox grins and moth dust and much, much enjoyment of our dearly beloved new issue!

BREAKING NEWS: Of Triumvirates, Triptychs and Gobbling Down Devon

2007-07-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

We here at Goblin Fruit are very proud of the fact that, so far without fail, we have successfully published every issue on time (okay, give or take a few hours). By now, gentle Reader, you ought to know that on the ninth of April, July, October and January, we bring you freshly plucked poems to tease your eyeteeth.

Well, we've had enough of that. After a full year of such punctiliousness, we've decided to slack off, and put up the Summer 2007 issue of Goblin Fruit a couple of days late. But wait! We have a really good excuse. Even as you read this, Jess and Oliver are in England together, preparing for the imminent arrival of Amal, who, barring critical terror alerts, engine failure and Mercurial Retrogrades, should be arriving in London on the 11th -- after which our three intrepid adventurers will head down to Deepest Devon, and plot ~~world domination~~ ~~how to kidnap Neil Gaiman~~ ~~cavorting with the Good Folk~~ some good wholesome fun together.

This means that, for the first time ever, Jess, Ollie and Amal will be in the same place, at the same time. Much as when three Sundays come together in a week, this is cause for celebration -- and we're celebrating by delaying the issue launch until such time as the three of us can, hand-over-hand, Power Ranger style*, push the 'launch' button** all at the same time, the better to get rip-roaringly drunk (or at least full of feasting) afterward.

All of this to say: we'll be launching on the 11th of July instead of the 9th. Update your calendars, and when, after feverishly refreshing the page every minute and three quarters, waiting for the appointed time, your loyalty is rewarded by the sight of the shiny new Summer issue -- raise a glass with us, and know that we're toasting you.

Thank you for reading,

Amal (and Ollie and Jess)

* Yes, I did make that reference. Stop giggling.
** Okay, so there isn't actually a 'launch' button. Wanna make something of it?

Endicott review and the Hunter's site

2007-04-23T02:38:00.000-07:00

Midori Snyder has very kindly reviewed our 2007 Spring Issue on Endicott Redux. Hurray!

Also, Oliver Hunter, our site designer, Art Director, and all 'round fabulous wonderful person (every 'zine needs one), now has his very own site up and running again at A Cupfull of Oliver. If you're interested in seeing more of his gorgeous art, enjoying his musical forays or stealing pictures of him for your home or office shrine, keep an eye on it!

Spring 2007 Issue is Live!

2007-04-10T02:41:00.000-07:00

Featuring all sorts of mad, marvelous poetry by JC Runolfson, A. E. Lowery, Mary Alexandra Agner, Catherynne M. Valente, Kirsten Anderson, Sam Henderson, Karen Romanko, Marge Simon, Karen Berry, JoSelle Vanderhooft, Marcie Tentchoff, Casey Fiesler, Felicity Maxwell and Deborah Kolodji, as well as art by Oliver Hunter and Marge Simon, Goblin Fruit's first Anniversary issue is now live! You can also hear many of our poets reading their poems aloud; click on the little red tulips next to their names to do so.

Happy Spring, everyone!

Rhysling nominees, ahoy!

2007-04-09T14:00:00.000-07:00

We're delighted to announce that four poems published in Goblin Fruit last year have been nominated for Rhysling Award. They are:

"Sisyphus Walks", by Mike Allen, in the long category.
"Bacchanal", by Mike Allen, in the short category.
"Women of the Resurrection", by Emily Gaskin, in the short category.
"First Festival", by Samantha Henderson, in the short category.

Congratulations to all the nominees, and good luck!

Response Times -- Why They Lengthen

2007-04-09T13:48:00.000-07:00

The last month and a half, we've been taking quite a long while getting back to you on submissions -- certainly more than our original 4 weeks, even sometimes more than our lengthened 5 weeks. We sincerely apologise for this, and would like to share some of our excu -- er, reasons, with you.

First and foremost, I, Amal, have moved overseas. Given that Jess and I usually go over submissions together, this has problematised things somewhat; where before, we only had a three-hour time difference to deal with, we now have an eleven-hour time difference (down from twelve; thanks, Daylight Savings Time!).

Second, Jess' computer crashed utterly, miserably, and irrevocably about two months ago -- roughly around the time I left Canada, as a matter of fact (though I maintain the two incidents aren't related. Honest!). She succumbed to peer pressure and replaced it with a Mac, and a wireless connection. "What's wrong with that?" say the Mac/wireless users amongst you. Everything, I reply. The steady slowness of her creaky dial-up has been replaced with a halting, haphazard speediness -- and so, sadly, has our fashion of responding to you. This leaves me with two things to say:

1) Please query us after we've passed the 5-week mark. Don't hesitate, don't be shy. The last thing we want is to have submissions go astray on top of everything.

2) We're really, really sorry, and we're working on it.

Cheers,

Amal

Endicott review of Winter Issue

2007-01-11T08:17:00.000-08:00

Midori Snyder has posted a very nice review of the Winter issue on the Endicott Blog. JoSelle Vanderhooft, Catherynne M. Valente, Sonya Taaffe and J.C. Runolfson all get mentions, while everybody else scores a "wonderful offerings." Enjoy!

Winter Issue, and the Revenge -- er, Return -- of the Blog

2007-01-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

The Winter issue is live! Go forth and enjoy what our winter banquet has to offer, with poetry by JoSelle Vanderhooft, Mikal Trimm, Jennifer Crow, Bruce Boston, M. Frost, Samantha Henderson, J.C. Runolfson, Catherynne M. Valente, Deborah P. Kolodji, Sonya Taaffe, Marcie Tentchoff and Patricia A. Boutilier.

In case you haven't read the Winter editorial first, our reasoning is as follows: The forums having proven themselves to be more trouble than they're worth, we've decided to return to this blog, for now, as a venue for our announcements and for your comments. Please feel free to sound off on any aspect of the issue, be it the poetry, layout, audio, or anything else. Declarations of passion, devotion and undying love are most welcome, but you can say other things, too.

Wishing you a very merry Twelfth Night, and a Happy New Year!

Amal, Jess, and Oliver

And, we're live!

2006-04-09T00:41:00.000-07:00

As of 12:01 Pacific time, our first issue is up at www.goblinfruit.net . Enjoy! Also, Neil Walsh of the SF site has posted this very kind and thorough review of it. Yay!

Jessica and Amal