Last week, something exciting happened.

My complementary copy of Nasty Women Poets: An Unapologetic Anthology of Subversive Verse from Lost Horse Press arrived in the mail.

And people, it’s pink. Yes, a subversive and pink poetry collection by women.

What makes the anthology so powerful is the blend of diverse voices, and talent, from poet laureates to activists to Marge Piercy (yes, I’m included in an anthology with Marge Piercy!), along with lesser known poets, all with a kick-ass attitude and unflinching eye.

Because, face it, in these times of ridiculous politics, with white boys men making white boy men comments and policies, we need more women willing to stand up, get nasty and state it like it is.

The collection is kind of a #metoo account of women’s lives, not just the sexual harassment and crap we have to deal with on an almost daily basis, but the little things, too. The smaller and quieter injustices, the ones that so often go without witness, without words.

There are poems on women playing poker, women and math, women and tools, women breaking free of marriage/stereotypes/roles, women talking about menstruation, their vulvas/ twats, their cellulite, their bodies and minds, hopes and fears.

While I’ve enjoyed every piece I’ve read so far, there are some that caused me to want to call the poet up on the phone and say, “I love you and would you take a walk with me and hold my hand, and we’ll talk about poetry and beauty and life and betrayal and truth, okay?”

I so love when a poem or story or book excites me so much that I want (need?) to reach out and connect with the author.

Here are a few of the works that hit me in the best possible way:

Erin Murphy’s Does This Poem Make My Butt Look Big?

Lisa Mecham’s Refraction

Diane Wakoski’s Dancing on the Grave of a Son of a Bitch

Ona Gritz’s Route 2

Susana H. Case’s Bleached Blonde With Spiked Dog Collar

News: If you’re a fiction and nonfiction writers who hasn’t published a full-length book, here’s a great opportunity. The Forge Fellowship offers two fellowships, one to a writer of color and the other to a writer of at least 50 years of age. Application deadline is Nov. 30.

What excites me about this fellowship is the underlying philosophy. Check out what the editors of  The Forge Literary Magazine had to say about it:

As Junot Diaz has argued, the litmag/MFA culture is just too white; rather than perpetuating a version of ‘literature’ that’s overly indebted to the white Western canon, we want to support and promote a range of voices and cultural experiences. Similarly, with regard to the over-fifty category, we wish to push back against the fetishizing of youth: we are aware, as we’re sure are our readers, that many writers (particularly female writers) do not get the opportunity to fully engage with their craft until later in life, and that the ‘Five Under Thirty-Five’ phenomenon unfairly disenfranchises writers already facing significant political disadvantage. As Joanna Walsh puts it, age is a feminist issue.

Is that too perfect or what? Find out more information here.