Oil and Water Anthology for Gulf Coast Aid

Forthcoming is a new anthology, Oil and Water . . . And Other Things That Don't Mix, from LL-Publications, a small, independent press based in Scotland and operated by the husband-and-wife team of Jim and Zetta Brown. 

The anthology project is one of several writer-related initiatives, including Poets for Living Waters, to arise directly in response to the BP Gulf oil disaster of April 2010.  It represents not only contributing writers' collective expressions of anger, disgust, and sadness over the ecological catastrophe in the Gulf but also their determination to apply their talents for meaningful action: Proceeds from sales of the anthology will benefit several charities either involved in clean-up efforts or providing aid directly to Gulf Coast residents hard hit by the oil spill. One confirmed charity is Bay Area Food Bank, which serves the  fishers, shrimpers, and seafood-processing industry in the Central Gulf Coast states of Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi.

Included in the anthology are stories, poems, and recollections of 27 writers, some of whom are award-winning authors or professional journalists and others who are talented poets or story-tellers making their debut in the collection. (Disclosure: I am pleased to note that one of my poems was selected for inclusion. A complete list of contributors is here.) The anthology's editors are Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson Brown, an Alabama native and currently editor and ghostwriter for several New York publishing houses, and Texan-born Zetta Brown, currently editor-in-chief of LL-Publications.

A number of activities are planned in conjunction with the anthology's release, including public readings by anthology contributors. 

LL-Publications is maintaining a list of those who wish to be notified of the book's publication, which will be made available in print and electronic editions. Simply e-mail OilWaterDontMix@gmail.com and ask to be put on the list. Be sure to include in the e-mail's subject line (in all caps) the words RELEASE INFORMATION. Retailers interested in stocking the anthology should send an e-mail to the same address, with RETAIL BOOK REQUEST (in all caps) in the e-mail's subject line; they also should contact Jim Brown at editor@ll-publications.com.

A moderated blog, Oil and Water — and Other Things That Don't Mix, has been created and currently is open to contributions from the anthology's writers. In addition, the anthology now has its own FaceBook page and progress and updates can be followed on Twitter.

LL-Publications Oil and Water Anthology Page

LL-Publications Blog