Publisher + Editor: Lynne Ellis
Lynne Ellis writes in pen. They are an award-winning poet and independent press editor. Lynne earned their Certificate in Editing from the University of Washington and served as co-editor at Papeachu Press. She has participated in artist residency cohorts in California and Washington and is a writing member of Common AREA Maintenance. A lifelong collaborator, Lynne is also a career stagehand and lighting designer, and holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Read their poems and résumé over at www.lynneellis.com
Visual Arts Editor: AJ Dent
AJ Dent is a Seattle-based poet, collagist, and photographer, whose creations are driven by outdoor adventures and internal tumult. Since earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing at St. Cloud University, her work has appeared in publications such as The Stranger, Nada Mucho, Coin-Operated Press, and Poets Reading The News. She is currently a member of the Common AREA Maintenance writers group, and is thrilled to support other artists as the Visual Arts Editor of Tulipwood.
We started Tulipwood Books for two reasons: to collaborate with other poets, and to interrogate the poetry publication industry. These are two related goals. Writing can be such a lonely practice, and the modern systems of publication lead to so much anonymous rejection—even as we succeed at putting work into the world!
At Tulipwood, rather than accept or reject a project as-submitted, we select projects that spark our interest, then we work with authors to develop a manuscript. We believe that it’s possible to cultivate, as Eduardo C. Corral says, the intellectual, linguistic, and emotional pleasures of the line, while staying faithful to one’s own poetic voice. If you agree, then we want to work with you.
Every poem is a collaboration.
No poet creates in a vacuum. At the very least, our words create meaning in the body, heart, and mind of the reader.
(some of) Our Poetics
Poetry is a form of music.
Attention to sound and rhythm is at the core of our poetics. We read for language that engages with our ear, as well as our thoughts.
Clarity helps.
Staying true to your own voice is important, and you also have to be able reach your reader. Bring a generosity to the page.
Language is a river.
Part of the tremendous joy of language is that it moves and shifts. Words pick up and let go of meaning like water over stones. One of the poet’s tasks is to help a reader celebrate that joy.
Thanks to Kory Stamper for the image above.