Date: July 10
Source: versaljournal.org/versalten
News Item: Versal’s 10th anniversary
Versal is published in Amsterdam each May. Its editors hail from Canada, Russia, the UK, the USA and the Netherlands, and are led by American poet Megan M. Garr. A publication celebrating translocal intersections and cross-cultural dialogue, Versal is internationally renowned for the quality of work published by up-and-coming as well as established writers, and for its strong attention to design and production values.
In the first edition of Versal, published in 2002, founder and editor Megan M. Garr wrote, “This could be the first and last Versal you ever read.” But on May 23, 2012, the dazzling tenth Versal, the international literary and arts annual, was revealed to a full house at Bo Cinq in the heart of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. This edition is a gold-plated wonder, with “Versal Ten” embossed on the front in the familiar Versal typeface. The evening marked the journal’s milestone with anecdotes from its oldest and newest editors and with readings from contributors Ruth Danon and Laurence Levey, both of whom traveled from the USA for the event. Among the 168 pages of this anniversary edition are four riddles from Ish Klein, a conversation between Michael Martone and Matthew Baker, and a series of “photodrawings” from Irish artist Garrett Phelan. Versal 10 also includes new works from Cody-Rose Clevidence, Erin Costello, Tamar de Kemp, Roxane Gay, James Grinwis, Dora Malech, Ben Merriman, Rusty Morrison, Brandon Shimoda, and many others. For the first time in the journal’s history — perhaps for the first time in literary journal history — no two copies of the offset-printed, full-color Versal 10 are alike. “750 Circles” is a handmade project by Versal’s editorial team to honor the many people around the world who have made Versal possible. Both journal and art gallery, this beautiful gold edition of Versal spans the range of some of today’s best writing and art. It is now available at select bookshops and online. For press enquiries and review copies, please contact versaljournal@wordsinhere.com
