About IsReads
The concept of the outdoor journal is to put short poems in unusual places, like on abandoned buildings and in shopping carts.
The project was featured in an article in the May/June 2009 issue of Poets & Writers magazine. Among other things, the article says:
"The publishing-and-distribution process of Is Reads involves a printer, tape, and a couple of people willing to wander around town. It's a refreshing approach to putting out a journal, but it nonetheless recalls historic forms such as broadsheets and political posters. Justin Sirois, an Is Reads contributor and founder of the Baltimore-based experimental writing and publishing collective Narrow House, describes the journal as "a guerrilla-style public literature broadside initiative. It's an attempt to alter the urban environment with language that would never otherwise have a chance to engage the public. It's a little out of place, but that's the hook."
The outdoor journal hangs in several cities across the country. If you'd like to get involved, send us an email.
The city of Pittsburgh issued a proclamation about IsReads, declaring July 21, 2009 "Journal Outdoors Day." Here's Pittsburgh isReads.
Another cool outdoor poetry project is Broadsided.
Another cool online journal is The Alice Blue Review.
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR BIOS
Torie Combest,
Louisville
Torie is a freelance writer from Louisville that specializes in creative non-fiction and business writing. She hopes to beautify her city with the imperiled poetry and raise awareness to bring back this work of art.
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Christopher Newgent, Indianapolis
Christopher Newgent yawps around Indianapolis, which sometimes makes for awkward situations. His work has appeared most recently in Poetry East, Freight Stories, Everyday Genius, and shadysidereview. You can follow his life and writing at http://theidiom.net.
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Shannon Eddy, Rhode Island
Shannon Eddy is a poet who received his BA in English from the University of Rhode Island. Currently he lives and works in Providence Rhode Island and he is an intern at the Ocean State Summer Writers Conference. His poem “The Capitulates” can be found in Chaparral Spring 2010.
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Daniel Wolfe, Baltimore
Daniel Joseph Wolfe, doodler and native of Baltimore. I enjoy the company of people who moan with joy over home cooked meals. A sample of my work can be found atsadbumblebee.wordpress.com and internetpoem.tumblr.com
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Joseph Lambert,
Seattle
Joseph Lambert holds a B.A. in English from Virginia Tech, and resides in Seattle, Washington, where it doesn't rain nearly as often as you'd think. In fact, right now, it's sunny as a fresh-cracked egg on a hot plate. You can find some of his work here, here, and here.
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Dan and Emily Eisenberg, Pittsburgh
Dan and Emily Eisenberg have lived in Friendship this past year after graduating from their respective colleges. Dan will pursue a Masters in Divinity to become a Lutheran pastor, and Emily plans to work in a non-profit organization focusing on immigrant communities.
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Blake Pemberton, Minneapolis
Blake Pemberton was born in 1981 in Minnesota.
