Jim Warner releases book of poetry

The poetry world owes a lot to an escalator in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

Assistant director of the creative writing program, Jim Warner started writing poetry after an escalator-related accident left his arm in a cast when he was twelve. Now, Warner is intensely involved in the local poetry scene, and more importantly, is anticipating the release of his first book of poetry, Too Bad It's Poetry.

Too Bad It's Poetry received its intriguing title when Warner was pitching a separate book idea featuring a collection of works relating to autism. "Jack Scovil (an advisory board member) told me, 'It's a great idea. Too bad it's poetry.' Poetry doesn't sell," stated Warner. The remark stuck with Warner and when he recounted the story to publishers Jennifer Hill-Kaucher and Dan Waber they suggested he make it the title for this collection.

The poems featured in Warner's book stem from two different influences, one of which can be observed from the format and cover art of the book. Too Bad It's Poetry features a 45 record on the cover and requires the reader to flip the book over to continue to read the other half, or "side" of the book. "The first part of the book, side A, is influenced by music, especially (the band) The Hold Steady. The second part of the book, side B, is about exploring my personal identity as a Philipino American."

Side B of Warner's book was written with his mentor, Toi Derricotte, during his last semester in the Wilkes MA program. The last poem in the collection, "East/West" is a "must read," according to Derricotte, one in which Warner "fuses references to music, spirituality, psychology, pop culture and literature as he explores themes of exile and identity." A few lines from the poem, "I/tore out the pages of my/ancestry, and chose black ink for blue feelings," express Warner's poetic journey of self exploration beautifully.

Paper Kite Press, which published Too Bad It's Poetry, worked closely with Warner throughout the process. Hill-Kaucher said the "publication of the work depends on the manuscript. We let the work inform the design of the book, and we work from there with various printers to make the final product, one that the author and editors are happy with."

The small, local printing company has released nine books thus far and though small press poetry books "fly well below the radar of big box bookstores," authors get a voice in the design and form of the manuscript.

Paper Kite Press works primarily with poets and the publication of poetry, "Poetry That Needs to Be Published" is its mission and any profits made from the sales of authors like Warner allow future poets to publish their work. "It's great to know that my book will let others in the genre be published. That's what it's about, poetry and readings. I'm looking forward to being able to read from my own book at and hopefully this will allow me more opportunity to do readings at different venues."

Warner is currently involved in virtually every poetry reading in the Wilkes-Barre area. He will be hosting an open mic series at the downtown Barnes and Noble in the end of September, and is also scheduled to host the AWP Poetry Slam Series at the 2008 Conference in Manhattan. He is currently working on a small chapbook and continuing to revise his thesis.

Too Bad It's Poetry will be released on September 21 at 8:30 p.m. at Paper Kite Press & Studio on 443 Main Street in Kingston and will be followed by an open mic. The book can be purchased from Paper Kite Press studio or online at www.wordpainting.com and at the downtown Barnes and Noble in Wilkes-Barre. Warner will also be participating in a book reading/signing session on October 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the Barnes and Noble College Bookstore.