A New Era for Atlas Poetica

With this issue we open a new era for Atlas Poetica. For the first two years, Atlas Poetica was one many fine journals published by MET Press. However, last summer, circumstances required Denis M. Garrison, founder of MET Press, to reduce his workload. Several journals ceased publication. ATPO has moved to Keibooks and will be known as Atlas Poetica : A Journal of Poetry of Place in Contemporary Tanka to reflect that change.

The decision to move ATPO to my own small press, Keibooks, was both simple. ATPO is a unique journal in the field of tanka and has helped expand the poetic vocabulary, both in terms of subjects addressed and how they are addressed, bringing together works from poets and critics around the world.

Deliberately large format, ATPO is the only journal in existence which can publish epic tanka sequences, tanka prose, shaped tanka, book reviews, resources, announcements, non-fiction, and other material while still leaving plenty of room for individual tanka. Yet print provides a limited range of readership. Online journals develop readerships in the thousands; thus the decision had already been made to provide a free online version. ATPO will continue in digital and print versions.

Readers will find some minor changes in the print journal, but it will continue to offer the same great tanka poetry of place that is its hallmark. Most importantly, we are engaged in updating our international and multi-lingual services with the journal and website. Planned updates to all the international language blurbs are planned with expansion of international support.

Volunteer translators are sought to assist with increasing the number and quality of translations on the website. In addition, we are specifically seeking submissions in languages other than English for both poetry and articles. While we prefer that tanka be accompanied by English translation, we are able to provide translations from some languages (please inquire). We will publish announcements and articles in any language without translation. ATPO 7 (Autumn, 2010) will publish the international resources and multi-language blurbs, as well as tanka and articles in various languages. Please send your international materials!

One major change has occurred behind the scenes: I am pleased to welcome Alex von Vaupel as the technical director for ATPO. An excellent poet in his own right, Alex's assistance with the journal's cover, revamping the website, and related technical matters has been invaluable. In addition, Alex is a native Dutch speaker and professional translator who will be assisting with international outreach.

~K~

M. Kei
Editor, Atlas Poetica