Bass River Press to Release First Book of Poetry

COURTESY OF BASS RIVER PRESS
Judith Askew

SOUTH YARMOUTH – The first published work from the Bass River Press will soon be released.

The Cultural Center of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth launched the Bass River Press to support Cape and Islands poets by publishing one full-length collection each year.

A search was conducted last year to find a local poet who had an unpublished collection of poems to fill between 48 and 64 pages.

Poets with previously published collections and first time poets were eligible to submit their work.

Judith Askew’s collection was chosen from 15 finalists by Tony Hoagland, an award winning and much-published poet.

The inaugural release from the Bass River Press will be titled “On the Loose” and is expected to be released early this year.

A contest was also held to develop cover art for the publication.

Work from photographer Becky Strohm was chosen by Askew.

The Cultural Center of Cape Cod developed the Bass River Press to expand its involvement in the literary arts as its programs have solely taken place in-house through the display and reading of poetry.

The press also hopes to publish a book of fiction and a book of non-fiction each year as well.