Our Latest Endeavor: A Poetry Book
Yes, that’s right. Something a little different than what we’ve done before…Magnolias and Other Poems by Humans is the result of our Spring 2025 poetry contest
If you've been following along, you know we initially intended for this collection to live solely online. But honestly? Whatever. There's an irrefutable weight to the physical page that a digital feed just can't replicate. It's tangible. It's visceral.
We are officially opening the limited print presale for Magnolias and Other Poems by Humans.
By locking in yr copy early, you aren't just buying a book—yr proving that print isn't dead. Yr directly supporting 20+ independent human voices, perhaps providing the poetic words/therapy you need to get through it all. Yr welcome, again.
Three poets serve as the anchors for this showcase:
Wyrd Lea is our winning poet—big kudos—leading the charge with the title poem, “Magnolias,” a gorgeous exploration of heritage and the defiance of blooming from a “land of tombstones.”
LUNA RE follows with “For the Sake of the Outfit,” a grainy, high-contrast homage to ol’ pal Bukowski and that ever-fleeting desire for a “miracle tonight.”
Robert Kelleher continues with the scientific eye of a waxing soul in “Nine Lives of a Catalyst,” bridging gaps between molecular fossils and “times most dark,” making way toward a freer future.
Alongside these three, 18 other poets from near and far regions of the planet have filled these pages with verseful alchemy.
Magnolias and Other Poems by Humans is the result of our Spring 2025 poetry contest.
The theme was kind of, who freaking cares? which, in effect, meant there was no theme. We didn’t want to limit possibility; we wanted experimentation, unvarnished truth, and authenticity.
As (the) CN inbox began to fill with wordcraft from the near and far regions of the planet, a semi-collective dialogue emerged in poems of all shapes and sizes. Despite the lack of ‘theme,’ these pages reveal a shared, gritty look at identity and existential survival in the abysmal metamodern landscape of our current times.
Physical copies of MAGNOLIAS are currently in transit to our HQ. We expect to begin shipping them out around June 1st.
Outside the US: If you are located internationally, please reply to this email before purchasing so we can calculate a custom shipping quote.
West LA Pickup: If you are local to West LA and prefer to pick up yr copy in person, reply here to coordinate a pickup.
Presale Details & Shipping
Because we are an independent press doing a limited print run, time is of the essence. If you want to guarantee a copy hits yr mailbox, securing it now is the only way to make sure you aren't left behind, kicking up the abysmal dust.
Estimated Shipping: Books will begin shipping out in early June. *If you are outside of the United States, reach out to us directly for an international shipping quote. If yr local to Los Angeles, you can pick up yr copy on the Westside.
Perks: All pre-orders will include some rad little goodies because, who doesn’t love free stuff!?
To our contributors: thank you for letting us in on the discourse. We can never do this without you.
To the flies on the wall: here it is, transcribed. Let's make something happen with this first poetry-centric collection out of... (the) curious nothing.
