"Sign of the Times" Poetry Anthology to be Published by New Benicia Literary Guild

The First Tuesday Poets, and the newly formed Benicia Literary Arts Guild are working together to produce the poets’ fourth anthology, Sign of the Times, according to Ronna Leon, Benicia Poet Laureate.

Leon is working with James Stevenson, Benicia resident and publisher, and Lois Requist, both of whom have been active in forming the writers’ guild. Requist is doing the design and layout of the book, which will be published through James Stevenson Publisher, under the imprint Benicia Literary Arts Guild Books.

The Literary Guild is sponsoring an art contest for the cover of the book. A $100 honorarium will be given to the winning artist. Details on the contest are available upon request to benicia.guild@gmail.com. Deadline to submit artwork is January 10, 2012.

This publication is the first project for the guild, which intends to produce literary works of quality submitted to the guild, once readers and editors have agreed upon a works’ merit.

Carolyn Plath, Benicia resident and a regular columnist in the Benicia Herald is the Guild’s interim president. Marc Ethier, Editor of the Benicia Herald and Lois Requist, local resident and Caffeine Chronicles columnist for patch.com are vice presidents. Carlene Coury is secretary. Joseph Rafac is treasurer.

The Following thirty poets from Benicia and around the area will have their work in the anthology: Colin Amato, Tamra Amato, John D. Berry, Peter Bray, Suzanne Bruce, Chuck Conner, Carole Dwinell, Joel Fallon, Mary Susan Gast, John Goory, Frances Jackson, Jeff Kingman, Ronna Leon, Juanita Martin, Joel Martino, Mike Merris, Jady Montgomery, Donald D. Perry, Anne Worthington Prescott, Lois Requist, Bobby Richardson, Maria Rosales, Alice Salerno, Sherry Sheehan, Robert Shelby, Gary Silva, Joanette Sorkin, Thomas Stanton, Sandra Lee Stillwell, and Bonnie Weidel.

“This collaboration is an important first step for the Guild,” said Requist. “We plan to have the book published by April, 2012, which is National Poetry Month.”

In addition to publishing books, the Guild plans to support all writers by providing educational opportunities, literary events, and networking information. Anyone interested in further information on the Benicia Literary Arts Guild may send an email to Benicia.guild@gmail.com.