Publisher’s Description: The Bitter Oleander was a biannually published journal of contemporary poetry and short fiction. Although it published mostly domestic poetry, its primary focus continued to be on poetry in translation with a particular concentration on the imaginative creation of language from a very individualized perception. It has had work represented in the Best American Poetry (1999) and recognized as Best Literary Journal (2005) through Public Radio’s "Excellence in Print" award
SPECIALTY: Each issue contained a featured poet which included a large selection of his or her poetry as well as an in-depth interview with editor Paul B. Roth. Since a great deal of emphasis is on contemporary poetry written outside the U.S., TBO has interviewed such poets as Marjorie Agosín (Chile), Ruxandra Cesereanu (Romania), Alberto Blanco (Mexico), Nicomedes Suaréz-Araúz (Bolivia), Ye Chun (Chinese), Aase Berg (Swedish), Martín Camps (Mexico). It has also published the work of such award winning American poets as W.S. Merwin, Robert Bly, Charles Wright, Duane Locke, Colette Inez, Alan Britt, Silvia Scheibli, Ray Gonzalez, Christine Boyka Kluge, and Anthony Seidman.
“The Bitter Oleander is the epitome representation, and the vividly idealized lodestone of the heights a periodical can achieve within the alternative small press. The thought clarity is brilliant... excellence is the noticeable reoccurring rhythm woven throughout the tapestry of this work.” — Joyce Metzger (Small Press Review)
With the release of the Autumn 2021 issue, The BItter Oleander is sadly saying farewell. They are keeping their poetry in translation book series alive and well, so please consider submitting to it.
