A local author has forged ahead with his latest book of poetry.
Kevin McPherson Eckhoff, Okanagan College English professor and resident of Spallumcheen, has just had his third book, Forge, published by an independent press based out of Halifax.
“It’s actually their very first poetry title,” said McPherson Eckhoff. “They have a short but strong history of producing razzle-dazzle novels and stories and non-fiction.”
Described as sound, or conceptual poetry, the 96-page book contains themes of childhood, syndicated televised capitalism, and mourning.
“It’s like the most serious book I’ve written so far, almost,” said McPherson Eckhoff.
Known for his open mic/blog, G’Morning Poetry, with coconspirator and fellow OC English professor Jake Kennedy, McPherson Eckhoff says Forge amasses seven years worth of writing.
Half of the work previously appeared in chapbook form: The poem Document One appeared in Martian Press in 2006, Sweden’s ungovernable press published Channeling Voices online in 2008, while Game Show Reversed appeared in BookThug in 2010.
“And the last one is exactly what it sounds like: an episode of Wheel of Fortune transcribed backwardsly, sentence-by-sentence. Yep, that’s poetry these days,” said McPherson Eckhoff.
While no local launch of the book has been planned so far, those interested in getting a copy of Forge can do so by contacting the publisher directly at www.invisiblepublishing.com, or at Amazon or Chapters.
