Launch celebration for spring ‘Arroyo Literary Review’ Feb. 20

• February 18, 2013 4:00pm

The East Bay literary community – and anyone at least 21 years of age – is invited to attend the release party for the spring 2013 edition of the “Arroyo Literary Review,” a journal of fiction, nonfiction and poetry published by Cal State East Bay's English Department.

The party will commence at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at The Bistro, 1001 B St., in downtown Hayward. In addition to readings by contributing writers, complimentary food will be available as well as liquid refreshment from a no-host bar.

“’Arroyo Literary Review' is overjoyed for Santa Cruz’s Ellen Bass to start off our fifth issue,” said Christopher Morgan, the review’s editor and a CSUEB graduate student. “Like the Bay Area’s own renowned diversity, Ellen’s poems call to mind the complexity in reflection.”

Much of Morgan’s excitement regarding the Arroyo’s fifth edition is prompted by the articles by Dan O’Brien, Oakland poet Lucille Lang Day and Matt Blasi.

“Straight out of Los Angeles, O’Brien continues his thrilling saga of the war reporter, Paul Watson,” Morgan said. “Beautiful words blend with horrific imagery as Watson takes us overseas, conversing with pain and resistance in its many forms.

“Day shares poetry with both emotional resonance and wit, and Blasi’s ‘Song and Dance’ packs hilarity into an imaginative story about Lance, a young technician facing a diabolical street pole.” Morgan added.

Writers in attendance who will read from their latest works include Day, Michael Larkin, Ethel Rohan, Daniel Langton and Lindsey Crittenden.

The book will be available, at a discounted price, at the party. Normally, it sells for $8 on campus at the University Bookstore and University Library.

BZ