The
University of the Virgin Islands continues the celebration of its
50th Anniversary with the release of Volume 26 of its international
literary gem, The Caribbean Writer, a volume dedicated to nature
and overflowing with brilliant writing and art in celebration of
the natural environment.
Volume 26 boasts literary content that covers a number of genres, including poetry, personal essays, short stories and book reviews. The visually stunning cover art by Amy Laskin, from Jamaica, features a detailed painting of a croton set into a pristine, verdant, Caribbean landscape.
"We are pleased to continue in the tradition of excellence which both the University and The Caribbean Writer represent with this new volume of the journal," said UVI President Dr. David Hall. "It is this spirit of excellence that has ensured the success and vitality of the journal for so many years."
This volume of The Caribbean Writer is edited by Tregenza A.
Roach, a local poet and author who has been widely published in the
journal and who has served on the University's adjunct faculty
since 1999, teaching courses in writing, the humanities, and public
education law.
"It was really an honor and privilege to have been chosen to edit
this volume," Roach said, reflecting on the approximately 800
submissions from which the final pieces for publication were
selected. Roach thanked the journal's editorial board, whose
members participated actively in the paring down process and who
contributed greatly to this keepsake publication, as well as
Assistant Editor Quilin Mars for her dedicated service.
The Caribbean Writer Editorial Board includes UVI faculty members Dr. David Gould and Elaine Warren Jacobs, former faculty member Dr. Ruby Simmonds Essanasson, and Edgar O. Lake, local poet and novelist.
"We are pleased that this volume has drawn such an array of art and literature from across the Caribbean diaspora-from literally every place where Caribbean people and their descendants have lived or settled," Roach added.
The issue also addresses the area of literary criticism, featuring two special sections, "Ecowomanist Gardens in the New World" by Debbie-Ann Morrison and "So Who IS a Caribbean Writer and Other Questions," a section that draws on the thoughts and opinions of a noteworthy pool of individuals who offer their special insights. The section is edited by The Caribbean Writer's Founding Editor Erika J. Waters.
Of the special volume dedicated to nature, Roach said, "We received an astounding number of selections, a literal outpouring which will appeal to the various senses, but which also should leave us painfully aware that we are stewards, each and all, charged with protecting and preserving, limiting the destruction which so often is left in our wake."
The volume is a celebration, as well, of a number of local
writers who will be published in the journal either for the first
time or who are making repeat appearances. These include Charlene
Matthew and Kate Melone, writing from St. Croix and David Knight
Jr., writing out of St. John. The journal also features book
reviews by local writers including Lake, Dr. Noreen Michael,
Valerie Knowles Combie, Dr. S.B. Jones Hendrickson, Clement A.
White, and Althea Romeo-Mark.
To order copies of Volume 26, please email Quilin Mars at qmars@live.uvi.edu or orders@thecaribbeanwriter.org.
Orders can also be placed at www.thecaribbeanwriter.org
via the secure server order page.