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Frostic series presents New Issues poets Lee and Seidman

March 6, 2005

KALAMAZOO--Poets David Dodd Lee and Hugh Seidman, each of whom has works published by New Issues Poetry & Prose, will read from their poetry Tuesday, March 8, at 8 p.m. in the Little Theatre at Western Michigan University. The presentation is part of the Gwen Frostic Reading Series, which is free and open to the public.

David Dodd Lee--Comprised of grace and violence in equal parts, critics have recognized Lee's dark but brightly lit work as having been sprung from the shadowy heart of American poetry, conveyed in mesmerizing and inescapable rhythms. Born in Massachusetts, Lee grew up in Muskegon, Mich. He has a B.F.A. degree in painting, as well as an M.F.A. in creative writing. His first book, "Downsides of Fish Culture," was released by New Issues Poetry & Prose in 1997. His second book, "Arrow Pointing North," was published by Four Way Books in 2002, and his third, "Abrupt Rural," by New Issues Poetry & Prose in 2004. He is also the editor of "Shade," a new annual anthology of poetry and fiction.

Hugh Seidman--Whether adding new elegies for both father and mother, rethinking the use of napalm thirty years ago, or looking at photos of present-day atrocities, Seidman's poems have been noted for their power to capture the autobiographical, historical, mythological, psychological, religious and scientific all at once, in a voice of both ecstasy and anguish. His six collections of poetry have been recognized with grants and awards from numerous organizations, including the New York Foundation for the Arts and the National Endowment of the Arts, as well as the Critics' Circle and the Village Voice. His most recent collection, "Somebody Stand Up and Sing," is the recipient of the 2004 Green Rose Prize from New Issues Poetry & Prose.

New Issues Poetry & Prose is a publisher of selected works at Western Michigan University. It as founded by Dr. Herbert Scott, WMU professor of English, and has published some 70 titles during the past eight years. For more information visit New Issues on the Web at www.wmich.edu/newissues.

Remaining readings in the Spring 2005 Gwen Frostic Reading Series are novelist Diane Williams, who will visit WMU Wednesday, March 16, and poet Herbert Scott, Thursday, March 24.

All readings begin at 8 p.m. and are presented in the Little Theatre, which is located at the corner of Oakland Drive and Oliver Street on Western Michigan University's East Campus. There is free off-street parking behind the theatre.

For more information about the Gwen Frostic Reading Series, contact Dr. Arnie Johnston, chair of the Department of English, at <arnie.johnston@wmich.edu>.

Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

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