Join us in celebrating the launch of Naomi Buck Palagi’s first poetry collection, Stone. With readings from Naomi Buck Palagi, Jean Sotos, and Elizabeth Mason.

Naomi Buck Palagi’s first book, Stone, reads as a series of glorious poetic projections, in which the boundaries between self and world are subtly called into question. . . . Buck Palagi deftly weaves landscape into dreamscape, the natural world revealing innumerable facets of the speaker’s inner life, all the while beckoning us “as if we should greet it.” This is a memorable debut from a gifted poet. —Kristina Marie Darling, author of Dark Horse

Naomi Buck Palagi (above left) grew up in the woods of central Kentucky, and has lived throughout the South and Midwest. Her published poetry ranges from traditional to highly experimental, reflecting a wide range of interests and experiences. Her poems have appeared in Spoon River Poetry Review, BlazeVOX, Masque and Spectacle, Otoliths, Eleven Eleven, and others. She has two chapbooks, silver roof tantrum (dancing girl press) and Darkness in the Tent (Dusie Kollectiv.) Her first book, Stone, is just out from BlazeVOX Books.

Although Jean Sotos can’t remember a time when she didn’t write to make sense of the world, submitting work is a newer endeavor. She has had acceptances in several online and print zines, and attends many poetry readings in her beloved Chicago—mostly as voyeur.  She is currently working on a chapbook of travel themed poems. This is also an excuse to make monthly trips for the hell of it, which is the best reason of all.

Elizabeth Mason graduated with a Creative Writing degree from Oberlin College, where she focused on both poetry and short fiction. Her short story “Small Creatures” won first prize in Carnegie Mellon’s short fiction contest, and was subsequently published in the university’s Quarterly Review. She has had the honor of working with renowned poets Martín Espada, the late Jack Agüeros, Doug Anderson, and Martha Collins, as well as studying short fiction under PEN Faulkner recipient Sylvia Watanabe. Presently, Elizabeth acts in local theater and regularly performs original poetry, fiction, and songs throughout Austin. She is thrilled to be reading with friend and fellow poet Naomi Buck Palagi in celebration of the release Naomi’s first poetry collection.