The 19th Annual Poets House Showcase Opening

Experience the breadth and diversity of contemporary poetry today with this exciting display of all the poetry books published in the United States during the last year. From micro-press chapbooks to CDs to volumes from major commercial publishers, over 2,000 poetry titles are gathered together at Poets House. In conjunction, Showcase Readings will feature poets reading from newly published books.

The 2011 Poets House Showcase, honored New Directions on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. Founded by James Laughlin in 1936, New Directions has published some of the leading American poets of the last century, including books by Djuna Barnes, Robert Creeley, H.D., Robert Duncan, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Denise Levertov, Ezra Pound, Dylan Thomas, William Carlos Williams and Tennessee Williams, as well as many international figures, from Li Po to Octavio Paz. In addition to the celebratory readings on Thursday July 21st, an exhibition of rare books, letters, photographs and ephemera were on display.

The Poets House Showcase is made possible by longtime Poets House supporter Deborah Pease – an original supporter of The Paris Review – who is passionate about the Showcase because it reflects the range, diversity and inventiveness of current poetry publishing.