Exploring relationships, observing nature, and dealing with loss are all themes that jump off the pages of the 2012 edition of Kelsey Review, published annually by Mercer County Community College and now available free at public libraries throughout Mercer County. Now in its 31st year, the 2012 Review features 26 works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry by 16 writers who live, work or study in Mercer County. Illustrations include cover art and other drawings by Holly Harrison Johnson of Lawrenceville and a drawing by Stephanie Cuddahy of Hamilton. Copies of the Review are also available in public areas of MCCC's West Windsor and James Kerney campuses.
According to Kelsey Review Editor Ed Carmien, an MCCC English professor, "Kelsey Review enters its third decade with a yen for change." He notes that he and his co-editors strongly believe the Review's best form is the printed page, but with more readers turning to electronic devices, the Review is now available on college's website in a new interactive format that enables readers to download it onto their computers or view it via mobile devices including phones and tablets. The interactive version can be found at www.mccc.edu/kelseyreview.
In addition to Dr. Carmien, the editorial team includes fiction editor Roberta Clipper, an English professor at Rider University, novelist, poet and short story writer, poetry editors Luray Gross, author of three collections of poetry and a recipient of a Fellowship in Poetry from the NJ State Council on the Arts, and Ellen Jacko, an English teacher at Allentown High School, and art editor Edyta Kuciapa, a graphic designer and photographer at MCCC.
Writing contributors include Vida Chu of Princeton, Lisa Cugasi of Trenton, Beverly Mach Geller of East Windsor, Elaine M. Gutterman of Princeton Junction, Lois Marie Harrod of Hopewell, Jean Hollander of Hopewell, Ken Jaworowski of Princeton Junction, Gwen Jones, Lavinia Kumar of Plainsboro, Robert McHugh of Lawrenceville, Carolina Morales of Trenton, Dan O'Brien, formerly of Princeton, Wanda S. Praisner of Bedminster, Steve Smith of Pennington, and Alan Teplitsky of Lawrenceville.
Carmien invites county residents to pick up their copies soon. "Read and enjoy the works in these pages. They may be the creations of your colleagues, friends, and acquaintances."
Kelsey Review welcomes new friends on its Facebook page. The editors invite the community to "like" the page and add their comments about the material in the journal and the arts in general. Those interested in submitting items for future editions will find the latest news, criteria and deadlines there.
Funding for Kelsey Review has been made possible in part by the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission through funding from the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the New Jersey State Council for the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts.
The deadline for submissions for the 2013 edition is May 15, 2013. For more information, email Kelsey.review@mccc.edu or visit www.mccc.edu.
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