By DOUG OTTO
The Beach Bards Reading Series, sponsored by the Cape May County Library and hosted by the Sea Isle City Library Branch, announced that the publication of its first anthology, titled “First Wave,” will be released in early December.
The anthology presents a variety of poetry and prose from distinguished and emerging writers, along with original artwork and photography. Approximately 50 contributors, who have participated in the Beach Bards Reading Series since its beginning in 2012, are showcased in the publication.
Co-coordinators and poets, Antoinette Libro and Wendy E. Kaplan, initiated the popular library literary program eight years ago. Meeting from June to September, each program offers two featured writers who read from their work, followed by an open microphone session, drawing participants from the audience.
“This collection of creative works will live on as a testimony to the vitality of the literary arts, which are alive and well in the heart of Cape May County,” said Libro. “Once a month, on Monday evenings, readers share original works with faithful followers who venture out to take advantage of the programs that Beach Bards presents.”
“After the process of selecting the work for First Wave from writers both near and far, a lengthy production process began,” Kaplan said. “The editors are happy to present this engaging array of talent, many of whom are local, to the public.”
The book is available from Amazon.com Books at a cost of $15, or copies may be ordered directly by contacting the editors at mailto:tlibro@aol.com or wendyelizabethkaplan@gmail.com for the promotional price of $10 in effect for the first few months following publication.
