ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE OF WRITING TheWriters Post A MAGAZINE OF LITERATURE AND LITERATURE IN TRANSLATION Published biannually – ISSN: 1527-5469 Copyright © The Writers Post 1999-2010. Nothing in this website may be downloaded, distributed, or reproduced without the permission of the author/ translator/ artist/ and The Writers Post. Creating links to place The Writers Post or any of its pages within other framesets or in other documents is copyright violation, and is not permitted. ISSN 1527-5469 – US-based, founded 1999. Founder & Editor: N. Saomai
Current issue: VOLUME 13 – NUMBER 1 – JANUARY 2011 Lotus by Nguyen Khai ABOUT THE ARTIST: NGUYEN KHAI, pseudonym of Buu Khai, born in Hue in 1940, graduated from the National School of Fine Art in 1963, won the Bronze medal at a Spring Art Exhibition in Saigon even before his graduation. One of the founders of the Young Vietnamese Artists Association -- an active and well-known artist group -- in the early 60's, Nguyen Khai committed himself to painting and found it his only way to probe the depth of reality, his inner state, and to pursue the marvellous. While still in his twenties, he became one of the most famous artists in Vietnam. The fall of the South Vietnam forced him to flee his country in 1981, and settled in the American State of California. The painter resumed his painting, and exhibited regularly since then. Selected exhibitions: Palette Art Gallery, Houston, Texas (2007); Viet Bao Kinh Te Gallery, Garden Grove, California (2006); Viet Art Gallery, Houston, Texas (2005); Hoa Mai Gallery, Paris, France (2004); "40 Years of Artistry," Vien Dong Gallery, California (2003); Vinh Loi Gallery, Saigon, Vietnam (2002); Old Courthouse Museum, California (2001); Artcore L.A. Gallery, California (2000); Cuttress Gallery, Pomona, California (1998); "Salt & Pepper," Institute of Contemporary Art Gallery, San Jose, California (1997); Pacific Asian Museum, Pasadena, California (1996); Smithsonian Institute Traveling Exhibition (1995-98); Ryal Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida (1995); "East & West," Wignall Museum, California (1994); UCLA Art Gallery, Burbank, California (1987); UC Irvine Gallery of Art, California (1982); The Sao Paulo Biennial, Brazil (1969); The New Delhi Biennial, India (1968); The Tokyo Biennial, Japan (1967); The Paris Biennial, France (1965). His most recent exhibition which was at Người Việt Gallery, 14771 Moran St., Westminster, CA 92683, from June 3^rd to June 9^th, 2010 presents 30 artworks in oil and mixed media painted from 1990 to present. The exhibition marks his 50^th year in painting. NGUYEN KHAI has been featured in: Vietnamese Paintings – From Tradition To Modernity (Corinne de Menonville, Les Editions d'Art d' Histoire, ARHIS, 2003), My Thuat Viet Nam Hien Dai (Hanoi University of Fine Art, 2005), Nghe Thuat Tao Ninh Viet Nam Hien Dai (CA: Huynh Huu Uy, Vietnamese American Arts & Letters Assoc.). More about the artist could be found at NGUYEN KHAI’S WEBSITE: www.nguyenkhaiart.com ÿ RETURN TO CONTRIBUTORS ÿ TWP’s sister magazine: WORDBRIDGE (ISSN: 1540-1723). WORDBRIDGE, established 2002 by N. Saomai, published in the US, the first English-language literary magazine from the Vietnamese literary community, is a magazine of literature in translation, and a magazine for literary works of quality originally written in English by established and new writers, edited by the same editor of the Song-Van (ISSN: 1089-8123) and The Writers Post (ISSN: 1527-5469). Wordbridge contains selected literary pieces in a variety of genres: fiction (short stories, excerpts from unpublished novel), poetry (rhymed poems, free verse), translations, reviews, literary critiques, and essays on literature and art. N. SAOMAI, WORDBRIDGE, PREMIER ISSUE, SPRING 2002: “Wordbridge is a magazine of literature and literature in translation. Its aim is nothing less than to bring to the reader literary works from established and new writers, in the original language and in translation. Its part in translation is to introduce a foreign literature to those who appreciate not only the enjoyment of reading, but also the knowing and understanding of other cultures. The magazine is published biannually. It features selected pieces in a variety of genres, and will include¾ apart from its main contents, reviews, criticism, and essays. For the past two years I've had the opportunity to introduce to the online reader some English translations of fiction and poetry from Vietnamese authors through The Writers Post magazine at www. thewriterspost.net. This electronic literary magazine was launched on July 1999, with an emphasis on what the Wordbridge intends: to bring to readers who may want to read the literary works originally written in the Vietnamese language for long entrenched behind the barrier of language. Both magazines are under my editorship, and will work in association with each other…” (READ MORE) WORDBRIDGE is available from major universities and library collections:  THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Request in: Jefferson or Adams Bldg General or Area Studies Reading Rms  CORNELL UNIVERSITY Request in: Kroch Library Asia  HARVARD UNIVERSITY Request in: Widener Harvard Depository  YALE UNIVERSITY Request in: Southeast Asia Collection.  UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE Request in: UC Irvine Library.  UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES. Request in: UC Los Angeles Library  POETS HOUSE 72 Spring Street, 2^nd fl, New York, NY 10012  KYOTO UNIVERSITY [Japan] Request in: Center for Southeast Asian Studies. _____________________________________________________ VOLUME 13 - NUMBER 1 – JAN 2011 FRONT PAGE Introductions to contributing poets, writers, translators, and artists written by TWP’s editor N. Saomai. (The biographical introductions to contributing poets, writers, translators and artists published in THE WRITERS POST, and simultaneously in the WORDBRIDGE, are written by N. Saomai, the editor of the magazines, based on the biographical information submitted by the poets, writers, translators and artists. In The Writers Post, there are three places in which the biographical introductions may appear: this front page of the issue, the TWP Biographical Database, and the list of Vietnamese Poets and Writers abroad. Biographical data in the TWP Biographical Database are subject to change where needs be to bring factual information on the authors published in The Writers Post up to date. We thank the contributors published in The Writers Post who grant the magazine permission to publish the photographs of themselves along with the TWP’s introductions to contributors). Editorial Page & Letter to the editor THE WRITERS POST welcomes letters to the editor, especially letters which are in response to a critique published in The Writers Post. Letters must include the sender’s address and telephone number for verification, and senders must identify themselves by real name. Anonymous letters will not be read. If you send your letter via e-mail, it must be pasted into the body of the e-mail. Don’t send attachments. If you prefer to send your letter via conventional mail, please find The Writers Post’s conventional mail address in The Writers Post Home Page. The editor forfeits the right to correct typing errors or known factual errors, and your letter will be printed as-is. The writers published in The Writers Post express their readiness to discuss any issues they wrote, and The Writers Post would like to print any response, especially to criticism, for other point of view. However, a letter that is considered potentially libelous, or a response that includes the response of a third person will not be published (Here we have a simple reason, an indirect response is considered personal issue, and a bad-behaved response, if intended to be hidden inside the other person’s feedback is considered of low quality and anonymous). Although The Writers Post doesn’t guarantee their publication, all letters are welcomed. ---- Clarification: The following is to clarify the TWP’s standpoint THE WRITERS POST is a non-aligned, non-political magazine that focuses on the world of literature. The magazine is under the ownership and editorship of N. Saomai/ Nguyen Sao Mai. Editor N. Saomai/ Nguyen Sao Mai has no affiliation with any political organization, supports no political movement, has never allied himself with any literary group or association. As always, The Writers Post maintains independence and objectivity in serving the literary community. FEATURED A DIRECTORY OF VIETNAMESE POETS AND WRITERS IN THE OVERSEAS [Vietnamese Poets And Writers Abroad LISTINGS] THE ‘VIETNAMESE WRITERS ABROAD LISTINGS’ AIMS TO PROVIDE FACTUAL INFORMATION ON POETS AND WRITERS LIVING ABROAD. Most of Vietnamese writers living abroad are first-generation immigrants, who left Vietnam for the free world as a result of the 1975 events, when South Vietnam collapsed and the Communist North took over the entire country. They are the ones who paved the way for a new literary community abroad, and subsequently, with writers who started writing after 1975 and second-generation writers who left Vietnam as teenagers, brought Vietnamese literature into existence in the overseas. [ Click here for their listings in the full list ] ÿ RETURN TO CONTRIBUTORS ÿ IN THE NEWS OF SORROW We’re very sorry to bring you the news that PHAM CONG THIEN has died at the age of 71 on March 03, 2011. Pham Cong Thien, Vietnamese poet, writer, progressive thinker, translator and professor, born on June 01, 1941 in My Tho, South Vietnam, known when he was young as Hoang Thu Uyen, a pen name for his then translation pieces, believed to be at the age 15 proficient in five different languages including French, English, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish and capable of understanding Sanskrit and Latin, though he disdained all forms of formal education, rarely attended classes and at last quitted secondary school without a diploma. He started in the literary community at an early age, published his “Anh Ngu Tinh Am Tu Dien” (Dictionary of English Linguistics and Phonetics) in 1957 when he was only 16. In the period from 1957 to 1970 when he left Vietnam he contributed to the Saigon-based magazines Bong Lua, Pho Thong, Bach Khoa, Van, Giu Thom Que Me. At 22, he wrote the essay on Bodhidharma, the 28th Indian Patriarch of Buddhism who came to China about 520 A.D., and who later became the first Patriarch of Zen Buddhism in China. The years from 1964 to 1970 saw a period of great creativity for Pham Cong Thien, in which he published most of his important and influential works. The essay on Bodhidarma published in 1964 and the others in the following years which contained brilliant value on literature and philosophy brought him fame throughout the country as a young writer and thinker of great talent. His talent has obviously been recognized in the field of education: holding no degree yet as early as in 1966 he was appointed to a professorship of philosophy at Van Hanh University where he later became the Academic Program Director for all departments (1966-1968). From 1968 to 1970 he was Dean of Literature and Humanity Science, also editor of Tu Tuong Magazine, the official voice of the University. Prior to taking his posts in Van Hanh University, he had accepted the scholarship offered by Yale and Columbia University and went to the US where he met the American novelist and scholar Henry Miller (1891-1980), who became his close friend, and later his son’s godfather. In the US, he did enroll in the universities but soon afterwards decided to break off the enrollment claiming it was unnecessary (following “Ho tham cua tu tuong”, published in 1967). In 1970, the Venerable Thich Minh Chau, Rector of Van Hanh University arranged his departure for France. He settled in Paris where he lived philosophically in difficult financial conditions, found himself a night security guard, owed much to the support of his generous friends. In Paris, he enrolled University of Sorbonne and, despite his previous attitude towards formal education, expected to receive a PH.D in four years. Also in Paris, he met and despite the hardship married in 1971 his former student of philosophy at Van Hanh University who came to Bruxelles pursuing her higher education. The marriage resulted in five children who all are living in France. In 1974, he moved to Toulouse, with his family, for a post of professor of philosophy which had been offered by Toulouse University. Nine years later, in 1983, he left France for the US, taught courses of philosophy at a Buddhist Institute in California, and became US citizen in few years afterwards. He retreated to his secluded life in Houston, Texas in 2005. Although at times being heavily criticized when overstepping the limits to criticized others, Pham Cong has been recognized for his considerable contributors in many areas: literature, philosophy, etc… His views on education, religion and philosophy had a powerful effect. His influence on some young people remained potent after so many decades. Writer and poet Inrasara wrote about Pham Cong Thien in his “Chop lua thieng Pham Cong Thien & tuoi tre toi” (unofficially translated: “The sacred light Pham Cong Thien & my youth”) published in his website: “Toi tin tuong vao thien tai. Voi toi, Pham Cong Thien la thien tai (unofficially translated: “I believe in genius. In my view, Pham Cong Thien is a genius”) http://inrasara.com/?p=5849 (in Vietnamese). Pham Cong Thien’s books published in Vietnam (by La Boi or An Tiem Publisher) and abroad (after the fall of South Vietnam in 1975) include ‘Tieu luan ve Bo De Dat Ma Bodhidharma To Su Thien Tong” (1964), “Y thuc moi trong van nghe va triet hoc” (1965), “Troi thang tu” (1966), “Ngay sinh cua ran” (1967), “Im lang ho tham” (1967), “Ho tham cua tu tuong” (An Tiem, 1967), “Mat troi khong bao gio co thuc” (1967), “Krishnamurti, Tu do dau tien va cuoi cung” (translation, 1968), “Martin Heiddegger, Ve the tinh cua chan ly” (translation, 1968), “Martin Heiddegger, Triet ly la gi?” (translation, 1969), “Nietzsche, Toi la ai?” (translation, 1969), Bay di nhung con mua phun (1970), Di cho het mot dem hoang vu tren mat dat (1988), Su chuyen dong toan dien cua tam thuc trong tu tuong Phat giao (1994), Triet ly Viet Nam ve su vuot bien (1995), Tinh tuy trong sang cua dao ly Phat giao (1998), Lam the nao de tro thanh mot Bo Tat (1998), among the others. (Photo courtesy of wikivietlit) IN THE NEWS OF SORROW We’re very sorry to bring you the news that NGUYEN TON NHAN (Photo courtesy Tuoi Tre Online) has died at the age of 64 on January 31, 2011. Nguyen Ton Nhan, pseudonym of Nguyen Huu Thanh, poet, writer, translator, born on February 01, 1948 in Hai Duong, North Vietnam. In 1954, as the Geneva Accord dividing North and South Vietnam at the 17^th Parallel, his parents immigrated with him to South Vietnam, settling in Saigon where he grew up. Since 1967, he taught himself Chinese, composed poems. His debut collection of poetry is “Thanh ca”, which is followed by another collection of poetry “Luc bat ba cau” in the following year. He started working with Chinese in 1988 and published his two translations in 1989, one of them was “Xung hu chan kinh” published by Van Hoc Publisher. From then on, he mainly focused on studying on Chinese literature, Confucianism and Taoism, and published more than 50 books of translations, including “Dịch va chu giai nho giao Trung Quoc”, Lao Tu Dao duc kinh”, Trang Tu Nam hoa Kinh”, Xung hu chan kinh”, “Tu dien thanh ngu dien tich Trung Quoc”, “Tu dien Han Viet van ngon dan chung, “Tu dien danh nhan Trung quoc”, “Ban Linh Hieu Lam”, “Bach phat ma nu truyen”. His 1,521-paged “Bach khoa thu van hoa co dien Trung Quoc”, 1,400-paged “Hoai Nam Tu, and “Dai Tu Dien tho Duong” (2,000 Chinese poems to be translated and noted), and his most recently 1,700-paged “Nho Giao Trung Quoc” achieved much public recognition. n THE NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE 2010. “The Nobel Prize in Literature - Press Release”, 7 October 2010: [The Nobel Prize in Literature for 2010 is awarded to the Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa, "for his cartography of structures of power and his trenchant images of the individual’s resistance, revolt, and defeat"– The Swedish Academy]. More information about NPW Herta Muller is available on the Nobel web site. ÿ RETURN TO CONTRIBUTORS ÿ VOLUME 13 - NUMBER 1 – JULY 2011 FRONT PAGE Introductions to contributing poets, writers, translators, and artists written by TWP editor N. Saomai. (From the guidelines: … Although the biographical introductions to contributing poets, writers, translators and artists are mostly based on the curriculum vitas submitted by contributors, please be advised that the contributor should not expect TWP to have its introduction saying exactly what the contributor wants to say. In any case the contributor should not expect that he could give an editorial opinion on the introduction to the contributor written by The Writers Post. The editor reserves the right to refuse the contributor’s suggestion that certain information should be added from the submitted CV, and the right to omit certain information, even if it is factual. Also, please be advised that all biographical introductions to contributors published in The Writers Post are The Writers Post’s properties, copyrighted by The Writers Post, and cannot be in any ways and means reused by the contributor or anyone). Literature in translation [POETRY] go on cursing the shadow -- (free verse) A poem by Du Tu Le Translated by Nhu Hanh go on cursing the shadow DU TU LE, pseudonym of Lê Cự Phách, born in 1942 in Ha Nam. The Geneva Accord in 1954 forced him to immigrate, with his brother, to South Vietnam, where he settled in Hoi An, Quang Nam, then later in Da Nang. Coming to Saigon in 1956, he pursued education at the high schools Tran Luc, Chu Van An, and the Saigon University Faculty of Letters. He joined the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARV), graduated as an officer from Thu Duc Military Academy, Course 13, and worked at the Psychological Warfare Department as a war correspondent and the managing editor of the ARV’s Tien Phong Magazine. In 1969, he was sent to a training seminar in basic journalism in Indianapolis City, Indiana. As a result of the 1975 events, he came to the US, and resettled in California in April 1975. Du Tu Le started composing and publishing poetry at an early age, in 1953, under many different pseudonyms. The pseudonym Du Tu Le was initially used for a poem published in Mai magazine in Saigon in 1958, and has since been the only pseudonym under his books. His poems has appeared in a number of Vietnamese-language literary magazines at home and abroad before and after 1975, and in the Los Angeles Times in 1983, the New York Times in 1996, the anthology World Poetry / An anthology of Verse From Antiquity To Our Time (New York: Norton) in 1998; also, his poems appeared in some universities’ textbooks since 1990, or used in some universities for education purpose. Jean-Claude-Pomonti, a leading writer for the Le Monde, had chosen one of his poems to translate into French, and had it published in La Rage D’Etre Vietnamien. Du Tử Lê was once mentioned by the late writer Mai Thao as one of the distinguished poets in the Vietnamese contemporary literature; the others are: Vu Hoang Chuong, Dinh Hung, Bui Giang, Nguyen Sa, Thanh Tam Tuyen, and To Thuy Yen. Du Tu Le is the author of more than 40 books. His eponymous debut collection of poems ‘Tho Du Tu Le’ was published in 1964, his most recent ‘[neu can,] hay cho bai thoú mot ten goi !?!’ published in 2006 by HT Productions. “Only you know: never have I aged, till loving you do I grow, awfully tall” published in this issue is a translation version taken from the poetry collection ‘Flowers can’t believe fruits would grow that bitter! Hoa nao tin qua dang den khong ngo!’ translated by Nhu Hanh, published by Nhan Chung (US: Nhan Chung, 1999). Du Tu Le ÿ RETURN TO CONTRIBUTORS ÿ Translator NHU HANH: NHU HANH, pseudonym of Nguyen Tu Cuong, writer, translator and professor, currently Associate Professor at George Mason University, Virginia, US. He received his B.A. from University of Van Hanh (Saigon, Vietnam) and his Ph.D. from Harvard University. A renowned scholar of Buddhism having researched in History of Religion, South Asian Religions, Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism and Religious Literature in Sanskrit, Nhu Hanh is currently working on a book on Sthiramati, a fifth century Indian Buddhist philosopher. His publications include books and articles on Buddhism. Before the fall of Saigon in1975, his articles on Buddhism appeared in the monthly Tu Tuong, founded and published by Van Hanh University. One of his pieces last seen in this scholarly magazine was “Triet ly ngu vi trong phai thien Tao Dong”[the philosophy of Five Positions of T’ao-Tung Zen], published in the November 1974 issue. As a translator, he translated Du Tu Le’s poetry collection “hoa nao tin qua dang den khong ngo/ flowers can’t believe fruits would grow that bitter” into English. The collection was published in bilingual English and Vietnamese edition by Nhan Chung in 1999. Nhu Hanh is living in Virginia, US. Nhu Hanh ÿ RETURN TO CONTRIBUTORS ÿ IN SOKCHO – (free verse) A poem by Mai Van Phan, translated by Nguyen Quang Thieu A poem by Mai Van Phan Mai Van Phan, born in 1955 in Kim Son Ninh Binh, Red River Delta, North Vietnam, member of Vietnam Writers’ Association, winner of some awards for poetry in the provincial and national competition. Mai Van Phan’s debut Giot Nang (Sun Drop), a collection of poems published by Hoi Van Hoc Nghe Thuat Thanh Pho Hai Phong /The Literature and Arts Association of Hai Phong City’ in 1992, was followed by Goi Xanh /Calling Green – poetry collection (Vietnam: Hoi Nha Van Vietnam /Vietnam Writers’ Association, 1995), Cau Nguyen Ban Mai (Morning Prayer – poetry collection. Hai Phong, Vietnam: Hai Phong Publisher, 1997), Nghi Le Nhan Ten (Name Giving Ceremony – poetry collection. Hai Phong, Vietnam: Hai Phong Publisher, 1999), Nguoi Cung Thoi (People in the same Era – epic. Hai Phong, Vietnam: Hai Phong Publisher, 1999), Vach Nuoc (Water wattle - poetry collection. Hai Phong, Vietnam: Hai Phong Publisher, 2003), Hom Sau (2009), Va Dot Nhien Gio Thoi (2009), and ‘Bau troi khong man che (2010). His poems have appeared in journals published in Vietnam including the monthly VAN of the “Vietnam Writers’ Association of Ho Chi Minh City”, and in Vietnamese language magazines and websites published abroad including “Thi Luan” Magazine (S. Korean) and TIEN VE, an online centre for literature and the arts based in Australia, and have been reprinted in more than 30 anthologies including FULCRUM 3 published in the US. All in all, his poems were introduced to literary audiences in Sweden, New Zealand, England, United Stated (including the literary magazine Wordbridge and the electronic The Writers Post), Korea and Indonesia. In 2010, accepting the invitation of The Poet Society of Asia (TPSA), Mai van Phan and his fellow poet Nguyen Quang Thieu came to Korea to attend the ‘Korea-ASEAN Poets Literature Festival, which was held from 2 to 7/12/2010, and during which they were scheduled to read their poems in three cities Seoul, Ansan, and Sokcho. In this year of 2011, while preparing himself for his attendance at the “National Seminar on Mai Van Phan’s Poetry” from May 14 to May 15 in Hai Phong, Mai Van Phan is currently working on his eleventh book ‘Tuyen Tap Tho Mai Van Phan’, a poetry collection containing his poems published in previous published collections, and the interviews given to magazines and electronic journals. The book will be published by Vietnam Writers’ Association in Vietnam. ÿ RETURN TO CONTRIBUTORS ÿ Mai Van Phan Translator NGUYEN QUANG THIEU NGUYEN QUANG THIEU, poet, writer, playwright, translator, was born in 1957 in Ha Tay province, Northern Vietnam, and educated at Hanoi University in Hanoi where he later has been based. He began to write poems in 1982 but not published until 1990, after a period of five years (1984-1989) he spent abroad, in Cuba, to study Spanish and English. In 1990, he published his debut poetry collection “Ngoi nha tuoi 17”. His second collection of poetry “Su mat ngu cua lua”, followed in 1992, won the prominent Writers’ Association National Award for poetry in 1993. In 1997, “The Women Carry River Water”, a translation version of his poetry collection “Nhung nguoi dan ba ganh nuoc song”, co-translated and edited by Martha Collins and himself, was published bilingually in facing-text format by University of Massachusetts Press (Martha Collins is a professor at University of Massachusetts, Boston). The book has won him the following year the award by National Translation Association of America in 1998. “The women carry river water” is believed to be the first English translation of a poetry collection by a Vietnamese writer of the post-1975 generation (1975 marks the fall of Saigon). A number of poems in the collection have appeared in many literary magazines abroad. Also in 1997 and 1998, two collections of his short stories were translated into French and published in France: La fille du Fleuve (l’Aube, 1997) and “La petite marchande de vermicelles” (l’Aube, 1998). Nguyen Quang Thieu has also been interested in movie and theater, wrote a number of dramatic pieces which were staged, and many of which have been made into movies. Along with his plays, his novel “Ke am sat canh dong” was also made into a movie titled “Chuyen lang Nho” by Vietnam Television. The movie was aired in 1998 via VTV channels. His publications include poetry collections, novels, short stories and plays. Volumes of his poetry collections:“Ngoi nha tuoi 17” (1990), “Su mat ngu cua lua” (1992), “Nhung nguoi linh cua la” (1996), Nhung nguoi dan ba ganh nuoc song” (1995), Co hoang (1990), “Mua hoa cai ben song” (1989), Vong nguyet que co don (1991), Tieng goi tinh yeu (1992), Cay anh sang (2009). Novels and short story collections: “Ke am sat canh dong” (1995), Cai chet cua bay moi (1991), Nguoi dan ba toc trang (1993), Dua con hai giong ho (1996), Thanh pho chi song 60 ngay (1991), and Cho Dingo (1992). ÿ RETURN TO CONTRIBUTORS ÿ Nguyen Quang Thieu INTRODUCTION TO VIETNAMESE NEW FORMALISM POETRY A REVIEW AFTER 10 YEARS by Khe Iem, translated by Joseph Do Vinh, edited by Edited by Richard H. Sindt. Introduction to Vietnamese new Formalism Poetry KHE IEM, Vietnamese playwright, storywriter, poet, editor. Born in 1946 in Nam Dinh, North Vietnam, he went into immigration in South Vietnam after the 1954 Geneve agreement divided Vietnam into two separate parts and set each part under a different political regime: Communist North and Capitalist South Vietnam. “Hot Huyet”, his debut literary work, a play, appeared in South Vietnam in 1972. Thirteen years after the Communist conquest of South Vietnam in 1975, he escaped Vietnam by boat in 1988, spending a year in a refugee camp in Malaysia before coming to the United States in 1989, where he settled in California. In 1994, he founded Tap Chi Tho, a very successful poetry magazine which is under his editorship until 2004 (Poetry Magazine, US: Premier Issue launched in Fall 1994). He also published his other books: “Thanh Xuan” (poetry. US, California: Van, 1992), “Loi cua qua khu” (story collection. US, California: Van Moi, 1996), “Dau Que (poetry collection. US, California: Van Moi, 1996), “Tan Hinh Thuc, Tu Khuc va nhung tieu luan khac” (literary essay. US, California: Van Moi, 2003). In 2005, he founded the Website Tho Tan Hinh Thuc supporting Post Modernism and New Formalist poetry, and published, in 2006, an anthology of New Formalist poetry: Blank Verse – Tho Khong Van. The anthology includes two hundreds and thirteen poems by sixty-four poets, and of which sixty-eight of the poems are English translations, translated by Do Vinh. In 2009, he published “Poetry Narrates/ Tho Ke”, an anthology of Vietnamese New Formalism Poetry, a bilingual edition, translated by Bien Bac, Do Vinh, Phan Khe, Tran Vu Lien Tam, and edited by Consulting editor Richard H. Sindt. “Introduction to Vietnamese New Formalism Poetry” published in this issue is a review by Khe Iem after his 10 years of promoting Vietnamese New Formalism Poetry. The new poetry movement he brought to certain literary circles, in Vietnam and abroad, he believes to have gained some results. Khe Iem Introduction to Vietnamese new Formalism Poetry Translator DO VINH Do Vinh is pseudonym of Joseph Do Vinh Tai, who was born in Vietnam in 1968, immigrated with his family to the US in 1975, and studied at the University of Washington, from where he graduated BS in Political Science. He started in the literary community in 1980, and subsequently became active in the literary circles of the Pacific Northwest from the mid 1980’s to the early 1990’s. His poetry and writings have appeared in Tien Rong, The New Asian Journal, The Seattle Weekly, The Vietnam Forum of Yale University, Nguoi Viet and Viet Bao daily newspapers, Vien Dong, Van hoa, Viet Weekly, and Tap chi Tho. His debut collection of poetry ‘Green Plums’ was published in 2005. In the same year, he worked in close collaboration with poet Khế Iêm on the anthology-in-progress BLANK VERSE/ Thơ Không Vần as a translator. He was responsible for the Blank Verse’s English section, and translated into English 68 poems in the anthology, which includes 162 poems by 64 contemporary Vietnamese poets. The anthology was published by Tan Hinh Thuc Publishing Club in May 2006. Đỗ Vinh’s first published translation appeared in Wordbridge and The Writers Post in 2005 with his translation of Khe Iem’s ‘Contemporary Vietnamese Poetry on the path of transformation - A portrait of Vietnamese Literature’ (Wordbridge 6 Spring 2005, The Writers Post Volume 7 Number 1 Jan. 2005). He is currently living in Central Valley, California. Do Vinh Introduction to Vietnamese new Formalism Poetry ÿ RETURN TO CONTRIBUTORS ÿ HOLA, CITY WHERE NO BIRDS ARE FOUND FLYING -- (free verse) a poem by Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh, translated by Nguyen Ngoc Bich. Hola, city where no bird are found flying NGUYEN THI THANH BINH, fiction writer and poet. Her most recent book is Dau An, a collection of short stories published by Van Moi Publisher (2004). This is the fifth book of the author, after Tron Vao Giac Mo Em, a collection of poetry published by Thanh Van Publisher (1997), O Doi Song Nay (a collection of short stories) published by Dai Nam Publisher (1989), Giot Le Xe Hai (a novel) published by Van Khoa Publisher, and Cuoi Dem Dai (a collection of short stories) published by An Tiem Publisher (1993). Her poems have appeared in numerous magazines, one of her short stories has been anthologized in "Tho van hai ngoai nam 2000" (CA: Van Moi Publisher, 2000). Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh is the editor of Gio Van, a literary magazine founded in 2002 in the US. “Hola, city where no bird are foud flying” is taken from the poetry collection “Still Those Very Same Verses Minus a Rhyme/a Halo” which will soon be published. Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh Hola, city where no bird are found flying Translator NGUYEN NGOC BICH NGUYEN NGOC BICH, educator, lecturer, author, translator, born in Hanoi Vietnam, educated in Saigon, the US, Japan and Europe, received his B.A. in Political Science from Princeton University in 1958. He did graduate work in Asia studies at Columbia University (1959-65), Japanese literature at Kyoto University (1962-63) bilingual education and theoretical linguistics at Georgetown University (1980-85). In 1975, he came to the US, settled in Virginia, where he taught adult education, elementary school and high school in Arlington, then Vietnamese Literature and Vietnamese Culture and Civilization at Trinity College, George Mason University, and taught at Georgetown University as a teacher trainer in bilingual and Multicultural Education. He is also one of the founders of National News Service, which provides news of interest to readers of Vietnamese language newspapers worldwide. In 1997, he joined RFA (Radio Free Asia) as the Director of the Vietnamese Service at Free Asia in Washington DC. Nguyen Ngoc Bich is the author of several books mainly in English, editor of the anthology War and Exile: A Vietnamese Anthology, an anthology of stories and poems, published by Vietnamese PEN Abroad East Coast Center in the US (1989). His first book 'The Poetry of Vietnam' published by Asia Society of New York in 1969 was followed by three others: North Vietnam: Backtracking on Socialism (1971), An Annotated Atlas of the Republic of Vietnam (1972), and A Thousand Years of Vietnamese Poetry (Knopf, 1975). He co-authored with his wife, Dr. Dao Thi Hoi, a bilingual collection of Christmas carols (1975), and had a hand in doing a photography book by Tran Cao Linh, Vietnam, My Country Forever (Aide à l’Enfance du Vietnam, 1988), the catalogue of a traveling exhibition of Vietnamese and Vietnamese American paintings, An Ocean Apart (Smithsonian, 1996), the book Thai Tuan: Selected Paintings and Essays (VAALA, 1996). In the field of translation, he translated into English Truong Anh Thuy’s Truong Ca Loi Me Ru / A Mother’s Lullaby published (1989), a book on Vietnamese Architecture published (1972), two verse collections by Nguyen Chi Thien: Hoa Dia Nguc / The Flowers of Hell (1995) and Hat Mau Tho / Blood Seeds Become Poetry (1996), and poems by some poets living in the US. Nguyen Ngoc Bich ÿ RETURN TO CONTRIBUTORS ÿ NOVEMBER MONTH -- (free verse) a poem by Song Vinh, translated by Truc Nguyen & Jane and Sonia Davidson November month SONG VINH, pseydonym of Ngo Gia Thanh, born in Saigon (Vietnam) in 1955. Song Vinh left Vietnam in 1975, after finished his first year at Saigon University, to the US where he settled in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is on the executive board of the electronic magazine Van Nghe Ngan Phuong, and is the author of Ve Duoi Hien Xua, a poetry collection that made his literary debut, published by Van Tuyen in 1999. Song Vinh's poems and stories have appeared in numerous magazines published in the US. “November month” is his second appearance at The Writers Post. ÿ RETURN TO CONTRIBUTORS ÿ WANT TO BE AN ARRANT LIAR by TAN DA (1889-1939) translated by Song Ho Want to be an arrant liar TAN DA, pseudonym of Nguyen Khac Hieu (1889-1939), a prolific Vietnamese poet, writer, playwright and translator who was born in 1889 into a famous family― his father is a mandarin, his mother a renowned singer. Living in the literature renovation period, in which modern Vietnamese that is written with Latin alphabets introduced in 17^th century, and subsequently improved by the French missionary Alexandre de Rhodes, Tan Da witnessed the moribund Chinese study and the new script called “chu quoc ngu” quickly gaining popularity and replacing the old writing system modelled on Chinese characters. Equipped with the knowledge of “chu quoc ngu” obtained through his higher education in Tan Quy college after 14 years of studying Chinese in his own village, Tan Da started his literary career with works published in Dong Duong Tap Chi, which was then under the editorship of Nguyen Van Vinh. The magazine’s premier issue launched on May 15, 1913, four years before the publication of Nam Phong magazine (founded by Pham Quynh and Nguyen Ba Trac, published in 1917). Its aim is twofold: serving as a compromise between East and West literature via translation, creating a movement for renovation of Vietnamese literature, including using the new romanized character as a renovation of writing form. As a translator, Tan Da translated “Kinh Thi”, “Dai Hoc”, “Quoc Su Huan Mong” from Chinese into Vietnamese published by “Tan Da Thu Diem” which he co-founded with Nghiem Thuong Van and Dang Duc To in Hang Gai Street, Hanoi Province. Also, he co-translated Ty Ba Ky with Doan Tu Thuat. In 1925, he founded and edited the magazine “An Nam Tap chi”. Although discontinued several times, the magazine contributed significantly to Vietnamese literature at that period. As playwright, he wrote two plays Tay Thi and “Luu Nguyen nhap thien thai”. After the publication of his “Giac mong lon” in 1929, Tan Da translated Duong Thi (Chinese poetry) for Ngay Nay magazine published by Tu Luc Van Doan, annotated Kim Van Kieu and translated “Lieu Trai Chi Di” for Tan Dan Publisher. At the same time, he worked as editor of Thi Dan, a poetry section in Tieu Thuyet Tuan San magazine. In Saigon, he worked for Dong Phap Thoi Bao published by Diep Van Ky. His publications include Khoi tinh con, Khoi tinh, Len sau, Len tam, Dai guong, Giac mong con, and a number of works of verse and prose published in the magazines above-mentioned. Tan Da is best known for his poetry and poetry translation. For his poetry translation from Chinese into Vietnamese, he is recognized master of the field. But his life was dogged by grinding poverty. At the end of his life, he advertised in several magazines published in Hanoi: “work for hire-- writing for hire about any topics, for any occasion…” With that, he is believed to be the first ghostwriter by career in Vietnam. He died in Hanoi, aged 51. The Writers Post is working to bring the audience more of English translations of Tan Da’s works in a future issue. Translator SONG HO SONG HO (1932-2009), poet and journalist, began his writing career in 1952 in Hanoi (North Vietnam) and became a journalist after his resettling in 1954 in Saigon (South Vietnam), where he contributed to numerous newspapers, radio broadcast. His most recent book of poems, Da va Hoa, was published by Huong Duong Publisher (1992), after Tho Song Ho, a collection of poems, published by Khai Tri Publisher (Saigon, 1964). Hai Canh Hoa Tim, his first book of poetry, was published in 1960. Rock and Flower, an English-language version of Da va Hoa translated by Song Ho is published in 2000. Some of the poems in this translation version had been published in anthologies or magazines, including Transformed (On the Threshold Of A Dream, 1988), Sunday morning (American Poetry Anthology 1988), A Secular tree (Many Voices and Many Lands, 1989), Once more being a baby (Best New Poets Of 1988, under the title Once more to be a baby.), Lunar Eclipsed Night (Love's Greatest Treasures), The Seasons (Days Of Future's Past), On the Blue Dragon Hill (Selected Poets Of The New Era 1989) Real Golden Sun (The World's Largest Poem For Peace, UN 1991), Finer, Grass & Man, Man & Grass (Song Van Magazine -issue 8&9/1997), That is the difference but the same, Who gives to me, A pink lily (Song Van -issue 10/1997), Turning around ceaselessly, Chrysanthemum, Creation (Song Van, issue 11/1997), The Mountain (Song Van, 1999), Secular tree (Song Van, 1999). Want to be an arrant liar ÿ RETURN TO CONTRIBUTORS ÿ English literature POETRY – ARTICLES – STORY LOVE LUST – LETTING GO Two poems by Christopher Barnes Love Lust – Letting go CHRISTOPHER BARNES, British poet, won the Northern Arts Writers Award in 1998, published the debut poetry collection LOVEBITES in 2005 (Chanticleer Press, 6/1 Jamaica Mews, Edinburgh).Christopher Barnes performed numerous poetry readings, in July 2001 at Waterstones bookshop to promote the anthology ‘Titles Are Bitches’, on Christmas of the same year at Newcastle’s Morden Tower debuting the poet’s own poems, in August 2003 at the Edinburgh Festival as a Per Verse poet at LGBT Centre, Broughton St. Each year Christopher Barnes reads for Proudwords lesbian and gay writing festival. As a poet taking an active part in the literary circles of Newcastle, Christopher Barnes involved in events and partook in workshops, works include making radio programme for Web community radio, entering a poem/visual image into The Art Café project, making a digital film with artists Kate Sweeney and Julie Ballands at a film making workshop called Out Of The Picture which was shown at the festival party for Proudwords. Also, Christopher Barnes worked on the collaborative art and literature project How Gay Are Your Genes, facilitated by poet Lisa Mathews, exhibited at The Hatton Gallery, Newcastle University. Christopher Barnes’ The Holiday I Never Had was recorded by The South Bank Centre in London. The poet can be heard reading it on www.poetrymagazines.org.uk/magazine/record.asp?id=18456 Christopher Barnes is living in Newcastle, UK. ÿ RETURN TO CONTRIBUTORS ÿ Christopher Barnes Love Lust – Letting go PERPECTIVE, WAITING FOR COSTOMERS Two poems by Diep Trung Ha Perspective, Waiting for customers DIEP TRUNG HA, a graduate of the University of California with BS, BA, MS, and PhD in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, and Physics respectively. He began his writing in 1998, wrote his own poems and started translating poetry. Volumes of his translation include the poetry translated from his native language, Vietnamese, into English; and from foreign languages, Chinese and Spanish, into Vietnamese. His Haiku poems, contemporary poems, and translations have chiefly appeared in Firmament, an electronic magazine published by the literary group The Huu Van Dan. Diep Trung Ha is currently living in the US. ÿ RETURN TO CONTRIBUTORS ÿ Diep Trung Ha Perspective, Waiting for customers ABOUT THE EDITOR N. Saomai / Nguyen Sao Mai N. SAOMAI [photograph 1989, US], author and editor, born in 1940 in Quang Ngai where he lived for 7 months before being brought to Saigon, grew up in Saigon, Dalat, and Nhatrang. He started his writing in the early sixties, contributed miscellaneous essays and general journalism to Saigon-based daily newspapers as a freelance writer. Also, from 1968 to 1972, he was on the editorial board of the monthly Nuoc-Ta, wrote stories, poems, and essays under his real name and pseudonym Phuong-Thao. He began to write novel in 1962, and completed four novels (written in the period from 1962 to 1975), which remained unpublished during the Viet-Nam war. 'Can Nha', a novel having got past the military government's censors of the press, been ready to be published in 1974, was published 23 years later in the US. He left Viet Nam on April 29^th 1975, one day before the fall of Saigon on April 30 via a Chinook piloted by his brother, escaped Saigon for the sea and landed on the U.S.S. Duluth (LPD6) of the 7^th Fleet which was then outside Vung Tau’s territorial waters, with his three motherless children. One of them later became Tap-chi Song-Van’s managing editor Thanh-Tam. He came to the US in May 1975, settled in Miami in June 1975. Can Nha, published periodically in Tap-chi Song-Van (ISSN 1089-8123), and in book form in December 1997, is his third novel. Several excerpts from the novel were republished in the literary Van (CA: Van, issue 35, November 1999), and in the anthology Tho Van Hai Ngai Nam 2000 (CAN: Viet Thuong, 2000). His second 'Bon no le trong den tho', written on the starting date of 1964, was also published periodically in Tap-chi Song-Van, issue 15. This was the last issue before the discontinuity of the magazine in December 1999. One excerpt from his fourth novel (1973) was published in Gio Van magazine. N. Saomai is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of the magazines Tap-chi Song-Van [ISSN: 1089-8123], The Writers Post at http://www.thewriterspost.net [ISSN: 1527-5469]), and Wordbridge [ISSN: 1540-1723). As a founder and editor of the magazines aiming to introduce Vietnamese literature into Western literary communities, he brought through his translations a number of new and established Vietnamese poets and writers to an English speaking audience. The translation versions were published in Tap-chi Song-Van, The Writers Post, and Wordbridge. ÿ RETURN TO CONTRIBUTORS ÿ Return to top A DIRECTORY OF VIETNAMESE POETS AND WRITERS IN THE OVERSEAS: Vietnamese Poets And Writers Abroad LISTINGS THE ‘VIETNAMESE WRITERS ABROAD LISTINGS’ AIMS TO PROVIDE FACTUAL INFORMATION ON POETS AND WRITERS LIVING ABROAD. ranging from little-known to famous, initially compiled and listed by Luan Hoan. The listings are edited, rewritten in English, and given added information to where needs be, by The Writers Post’s editor N. Saomai. Also, new listings may be added by the The Writers Post. We apologise for any deficiency, to the reader, and to any poet or writer whose name is not in the list as information is not available. [ Click here for their listings in the full list ] Return to top Return to Contents HOME Contact: N. Saomai, Editor, The Writers Post PO. Box 832464 Miami, Florida 33283 USA E-mail: songvan@msn.com	CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS AND ARTISTS: TAN DA (1889-1939) SONG HO (1932-2009) Christopher Barnes Diep Trung Ha Du Tu Le Khe Iem Do Vinh Nhu Hanh Mai Van Phan Nguyen Ngoc Bich Nguyen Khai Nguyen Quang Thieu Nguyen Sao Mai Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh Song Ho Song Vinh Vietnamese Poets and Writers VIETNAMESE POETS AND WRITERS ABROAD. The listings provide information on Vietnamese Poets and Writers living Abroad (click here for VIETNAMESE POETS & WRITERS ABROAD). TWP BIOGRAPHICAL DATABASE Photographs, and factual information on contributing authors (Click here for TWP BIOGRAPHICAL DATABASE LINKS Links provide access to literature and art. Click HERE for Links To Lit & Art A Note On Submissions ... Any essay, review containing libel, invasion of privacy, obscenity, substantial disruption will not be accepted. As always, translations and poems will not be edited. The author/ translator should check the work for typing errors before submitting. On the work(s) published in The Writers Post the author/ translator owns the copyright. The publisher may contact the author/ translator if interested in featuring the work(s) into print publication. (See a note on submissions). TITLES RECEIVED Note: Titles here in this page presented, or in the issues mentioned, are not intended to be ordered through this website. New titles are added at the top of this section; the older ones slide down the column with Cover Art removed Titles received in this year, but published in previous years are added accordingly among the others published in the same year (some exceptions may be made for books published in Vietnam). DU TU LE’s GIU DOI CHO NHAU 52^nd book by Du Tu Le published by HT Productions (US: September, 2010) Memoirs—112p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art : Da Mi Illustrations: Nguyen Dinh Thuan Layout: Vuong Trung Duong Printed by 5 Star Printing Distributor: Tu Luc Book Store paper/ US: $12.00 Contact: E-mail: buybooks@tuluc.com hanhtuyen@hotmail.com PATERNSON LITERARY REVIEW ISSUE 38 2010-2011 Edited by Maria Mazziotti Gillan 380 pages; 22,5 cm. Cover: Original oil painting Mill Town Neighborhood By Robert Andriulli Language: English paper/ US: $13.00 Contact information: Passaic County Community College One College Boulevard Paterson, NJ 07505-1179 NGO THE VINH’s MEKONG THE OCCLUDING RIVER Published by iUniverse 2010 Library of Congress Control Number: 2010909748 This book is available at your local bookstores and www.iuniverse.com, www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, www.borders.com, www.BooksAMillion.com Softcover ISBN: 978-1-4502-3936-3 Price: $22.95 Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4502-3938-7 Price: $32.95 PHAM CAO HOANG’s MAY KHOI QUE NHA Published by Thu An Quan (US: July, 2010) Poetry—127p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Dinh Cuong Layout: Tran Hoai Thu & Pham Thien Kim Limited edition distributed to friends. paper/ US: No Price Given (NJ: Thu An Quan, 2010) Contact: E-mail: tranhoaithu@verison.net POETRY NARRATES THO KE An anthology of VIETNAMESE NEW FORMALISM POETRY A bilingual edition anthologized by Khe Iem, translated by Bien Bac, Do Vinh, Phan Khe, Tran Vu Lien Tam 276 pages; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese and English paper/ US: $20.00 (CA: Tan Hinh Thuc Publishing Club, 2009) Contact information: P.O. Box 1745 Garden Grove, CA 92842 PATERNSON LITERARY REVIEW ISSUE 37 Edited by Maria Mazziotti Gillan 327 pages; 22,5 cm. Language: English paper/ US: $13.00 Contact information: Passaic County Community College One College Boulevard Paterson, NJ 07505-1179 THO THUY DIEN A collection of Sweden poetry translations, translated Bang Viet, Chau Dien, Ho Bat Khuat, Hoang Hung, Hoang Tuan Anh, Mimmi Dieu Huong, Ngan Xuyen, Nghiem Huyen Vu, Ngo Tu Lap, Nguyen Hoang Dieu Thuy, Nguyen Van Dan, Nguyen Xuan Sanh, Phan Trieu Hai, Quang Chien. 379 pages; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Hard cover/ No price given (Vietnam: Hoi Nha Van, 2009) Contact information: 65 Nguyen Du – Ha Noi, Viet Nam Tel & Fax: (84-4) 38 222135 LU QUYNH’S NHUNG CON MUA MUA DONG A collection of short stories 91 pages; 20cm. Language: Vietnamese paper/ US: No price given (New Jersey, US: Thu Quan Ban Thao, 2009) Contact information: Tran Hoai Thu P.O. Box 58 South Brook, NJ, 08880 VU HOANG THU’S BAT NANG introduction by Thi Vu. 157 pages; 20cm. Language: Vietnamese paper/ US: $15.00 (Paris, France: Que Me, 2009). Contact information: Vu Hoang Thu 5126 W. 138^th Street Hawthorne, CA 90250 LU QUYNH’S SINH NHAT CUA MOT NGUOI KHONG CON TRE A poetry collection 123 pages; 20cm. Language: Vietnamese paper/ US: $15.00 (California, US: Van Moi Publisher, 2009) Contact information: Van Moi Publisher P.O. Box 287 Gardena, CA 90248 BUOM SAU CANH A COLLECTION OF BLANK VERSE A collection of blank verse by five authors Bien Bac, Bim, Thien Dang, Nguyen Tat Do, and Giang Anh Ien. 112 pages; 20cm. Language: Vietnamese paper/ US: No Price Given Limited edition distributed to friends. (VN: Nha xuat ban Tho Tan Hinh Thuc, 2008). BLANK VERSE An anthology of VIETNAMESE NEW FORMALISM POETRY anthologized by Khe Iem, partly translated by Do Vinh, introduction by Dang Tien. ISBN: 0-9778742-0-6 500 pages; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese and English paper/ US: $20.00 (CA: Tan Hinh Thuc Publishing Club, 2006) Contact information: Contact the publisher at: P.O. Box 1745 Garden Grove, CA 92842 INRASARA’S CHUYEN 40 NAM … A poetry collection 112 pages; 20cm. Language: Vietnamese paper/ VN: $DONG 20,000 (VN: Nha xuat ban Hoi Nha van, 2006) Contact information: INRASARA 107, Duong 45, Phuong 6, Quan 4, Thanh pho Ho Chi Minh VIETNAM THE BOOK OF HOPES AND DREAMS A POETRY ANTHOLOGY Published by Bluechrome to raise money for the Medical Aid (Afghanistan) appeal of the Glasgow-based charity Spirit Aid, which is an entirely volunteer run organisation, headed by Scottish actor and director, David Hayman. There are contributions from Margaret Atwood, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, John Heath-Stubbs, Carol Ann Duffy, Simon Armitage, Tony Harrison, Alasdair Gray, Edwin Morgan, Penelope Shuttle, Anne Stevenson, Jon Stallworthy, Alan Brownjohn, Ruth Fainlight, David Constantine, Moniza Alvi, Cyril Dabydeen, Elaine Feinstein, Vicki Feaver, Michael Horovitz, Tom Leonard, Robert Mezey, Lawrence Sail, Jay Ramsay, Charles Ades Fishman, Geoffrey Godbert and Ian Duhig, amongst others. Language: English paper/ UK £9.99 Available from all good bookstores in the UK. Outside the UK via the Bluechrome or UK Amazon Moe information about the book on Dee Rimbaud’s website at http://www.thunderburst.co.uk PATERNSON LITERARY REVIEW ISSUE 35 Edited by Maria Mazziotti Gillan 418 pages; 22,5 cm. Language: English paper/ US: $13.00 Contact information: Passaic County Community College One College Boulevard Paterson, NJ 07505-1179 LUAN HOAN’S O TINH LAN LUNG A poetry selection 630 pages; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese paper/ US: $30.00 (CAN: Nhan Anh, 2007) Contact information: Nha Xuat Ban Nhan Anh Email: lehan3359ca@yahoo.com SONG THAO’s CHON CU A novel 228 pages; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese paper/ US: $17.00 (CAN: Nhan Anh, 2006) Contact information: Contact the author at: 7805 Claire Fauteux #1 Montreal, PQ H1K5B6 DU TU LE’s [neu can] hay cho bai tho mot ten goi !?! The 44^th book of the author, a collection of poems written from 2000 to 2006 published by HT Productions in August 2006. 156 pages; 21cm. Cover: derek pham Layout: vuong trung duong Author’s photograph: le dinh thang Art work: dinh cuong Language: Vietnamese paper/ US: $12.00 (CA: HT Productions, 2006) Contact information: Contact the publisher at: HT Productions 12751 Lucille Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92841 - 4711 Email: hanhtuyen@hotmail.com FACTOTUM SOUNDTRACK CD The score to the Charles- Bukowski’s-novel-based film “Factotum” was composed by the renowned Norwegian singer & songwriter Kristin Asbjornsen, in which she performed two poems by Bulowski. In addition to the music from the film, the soundtrack contains two more songs based on poems by Bukowski taken from ‘What matter most is how well you walk through the fire’. The CD is available from Milan Entertainment, Inc. beginning August 1^st. Contact information: Milan Entertainment 3500 W. Olive Ave. Suite 750 Burbank, CA 91505 ph: 818.953.7818 fx: 818.953.7801 Khe Kinh Kha’s TO TINH A collection of poems and songs by Khe Kinh Kha, writer and musician, author of Que huong trong noi nho, Luu vong ca (music, 1980), Di chuc cho con (music, 2005). Khe Kinh Kha’s debut poetry collection To Tinh includes 66 poems and 14 songs, of which a number of poems was already published in literary magazines in Vietnam before 1975, dating from 1966. To Tinh Collection of poems and songs 154 pages; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese paper/ US: No Price Given Limited edition distributed to friends. (NJ: Thu An Quan, 2006) Contact information: P.O. Box 58 S. bound Brook, NJ 08880 E-mail: tranhoaithu@yahoo.com Tl # (908) 769-1718 DAUGHTERS of the RIVER HUONG A novel by Uyen Nicole Duong, author of Mui Huong Que (Mui Huong Que was published under her real name Duong Nhu Nguyen), is released by RavensYard Publishing, Ltd. The book is available online from RavensYard, Amazon.com, and Barnes and Nobles. Daughters of the River Huong ISBN 1-928928-16-1 271 pages; 21cm. Language: English Trade paperback; SRP $ 17.95 Contact information: Contact the publisher at: info@ravensyard.com GREEN PLUMS A collection of poems in English and Vietnamese by Do Vinh. Green Plums 143 p.; 21cm. Language: English and Vietnamese No price or publisher given Contact: Joseph Dovinh: 12519 Larkin Drive Bakersfield, California 93312 TAC GIA, VOI CHUNG TA by Le Quynh Mai. A compilation of interviews with author conducted by Le Quynh Mai, who is in charge of the Literature and Art Programme on ‘Tieng Noi Viet Nam’ Radio (103.3 FM), Montreal, Canada, and a contributor providing literature and art news to the readers of Hop Luu magazine. Tac gia, voi chung ta 334 p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Khanh Truong paper/ US: $18.00 US/ CAN: $20.00 CAN (CAN: Khoi Nguyen, 2004) Contact: Khoi Nguyen 6567 Ernest Lavigne Montréal P.Q H1M 1C4 Canada lequynhmaii@yahoo.com LUAN HOAN, MOT DOI THO by Le Han A compilation of writings about poet Luan Hoan by 154 writers and acquaintances, ranging from articles, interviews, and poems dedicated to the poet. The book also contains Luan Hoan’s family pictures, and drawings by friends and artists. Compiled by Le Han. Luan Hoan, mot doi tho Cover: Luan Hoan’s portrait by Dinh Cuong. Layout by Le Han Copy editor: Doan Phe Binding: Central Perfect Bindery, Toronto 604p, 21cm Language: Vietnamese (CAN: Song Thu, 2004) No price given. THE BATTLE OF SAIGON A translation version of the short -story collection ‘Mat tran o Saigon’ by Ngo The Vinh, author of The Green Belt, published by XLibris. “The Battle of Saigon presents war and post war traumatic experience and dreams from the perspective of Vietnam Diaspora” The battle of Saigon Jacket design by Khanh Truong Jacket photographs © by Tim Page 200 p.; 21cm. Language: English Hardcover ISBN 1-4134-6377-0 Softcover ISBN 1-4134-6376-2 (US: Xlibris Corporation, 2005) Contact: Xlibris Corporation 1-888-795-4274 www.Xlibris.com Orders@Xlibris.com O CUA By Tran Hoai Thu O Cua - The complete poetry works of Tran Hoai Thu (Some published poems are revised) Poetry—374p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Than Trong Minh Design & Layout: Tran Hoai Thu paper/ US: No Price Given (NJ: Thu An Quan, 2004) Contact: Tran Hoai Thu P.O. Box 58 S. bound Brook, NJ 08880 E-mail: tranhoaithu@yahoo.com Tl # (908) 769-1718 DAU AN by Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh, author of ‘O doi song nay’ (short story, 1989), Giot le xe hai (novel, 1991), Cuoi dem dai (short story, 1993), Tron vao giac mo em (poetry, 1997). Dau an A collection of published short stories. 325p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Dinh Cuong Design: Cao Hoang paper/ US: $14.00 (CA: Van Moi, 2004) Contact: Van Moi Publisher P.O. Box 287 Gardena, CA 90248 E-mail: Kimanquan@yahoo.com VAN XUOI TOAN TAP by Kinh Duong Vuong The complete prose works of Kinh Duong Vuong. Van xuoi toan tap 1198p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Rung Hardcover/ No price given (Saigon: 2004) DUNG NHAM, THO TOAN TAP by Dung Nham The complete poetry works of Dung Nham. Dung Nham, tho toan tap 450p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Rung paper/ No price given (Saigon: 2004) VACH NUOC by Mai Van Phan author of Giot Nang (Sun Drop), Goi Xanh (Calling Green), Cau Nguyen Ban Mai (Morning Prayer), Nghi Le Nhan Ten (Name Giving), Nguoi Cung Thoi (People in the same Era). Vach nuoc Poetry—83p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Layout: T&P Design Responsibility for publishing: Pham Nga Copy editor: Nguyen Anh Nguyet Hardcover/ VN: VN$25,000.00 (Vietnam: 2003) Contact: Mai Van Phan 12/56 Cat Cut Hai Phong, VIETNAM E-mail: maivanphan@hn.vnn.vn LUC BAT HOANG XUAN SON by Hoang Xuan Son author of 3 poetry collections. Luc Bat Hoang Xuan Son Poetry—166p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Hoang Xuan Son Design: Pham Van Nhan Prologue by Cao Vi Khanh Illustrated Art by Tran Quy Thoai paper/ US: $15.00 (NJ: Thu An Quan, 2004) Contact: Hoang Xuan Son #38, 14 street Roxboro Quebec H8Y 1M6 - Canada E-mail: son_hoang42@yahoo.com Interested readers CLICK HERE to read Luc Bat Hoang Xuan Son LAM CHUONG, TRUYEN VA NHUNG DOAN VAN By Lam Chuong. Lam Chuong, Truyen Va Nhung Doan Van Story, Essay—219p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Khanh Truong Design: Son Ca paper/ US: $12.00 (CA: Van Moi, 2004) Contact: Van Moi Publisher P.O. Box 287 Gardena, CA 90248 HUONG MUA A poetry collection by Song Vinh, author of Ve Duoi Hien Xua (2000 Huong Mua , a poetry collection collected 106 poems the author recently composed, prologues by Nguyen Dong Giang, Thai Thuy Vi, Thao Nguyen, and Luan Hoan. Some poems are set to music by Phan Ni Tan (ND), Pham Anh Dung, and Mai Duc Vinh. Cover art by Hoang Vi Kha. paper/ 130 pp – 21cm. (Printed at Andrew Printing Co.) Contact: SONG VINH 107 Bromfield way Cary, NC 27519 Tel: (919) 301-5129 E-mail: song_vinh@hotmail.com THE GREEN BELT by Ngo The Vinh translated into English by Nha Trang & William L. Pensinger co-authors of the novel The Moon of Hòa Bình. The Green Belt was published by Ivy House Publishing, Hard Cover,  $ 23.95,  256 Pages (US: Ivy House Publishing, 2004) For more info on The Green Belt, visit www.thegreenbelt.com CHE TAO THO CA by Phan Nhien Hao Author of Thien Duong Chuong Giay Che Tao Tho Ca Collection of Poems—94p.; 23cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Design by Nguyen Danh Bang paper/ US: $15.00 (CA: Van, 2004) Contact: Tu Luc Distributor: www.tuluc.com Tu Luc Bookstore 14318 Brookhurst St Garden Grove, CA 92843 BAT NHA CA By Tu Hoa Author of Nhap Phap Gioi Luoc Giai Bat Nha Ca Poetry—70p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese paper/ US: $10.00 (PA: Ban Tu Thu Tu Hoa, 2004) Contact: Ban Tu Thu Tu Hoa Dauxua756@aol.com NGHI VE VAN HOC HAI NGOAI By Nguyen Mong Giac, Author of 10 books. Nghi ve Van hoc Hai Ngoai Essay—253p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Nguyen Dong and Nguyen Thi Hop paper/ US: $13.00 (CA: Van Moi, 2004) Contact: Van Moi Publisher P.O. Box 287 Gardena, CA 90248 SONG VOI CHU By Nguyen Hung Quoc Author of 8 books Song Voi Chu (Living with Words) Essay on language and literature—202p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Nguyen Hung Author’s photo Credit: Pham Huu Khanh (Saigon: 12, 2002) paper/ US: $12.00 (CA: Van Moi & Tien Ve Online Centre for Arts, 2004) Contact: Van Moi Publisher P.O. Box 287 Gardena, CA 90248 THAP TA By To Thuy Yen Thap Ta Second poetry collection of the author 140p.; 21cm. (Published by the author, under An Tiem Publisher’ name, 2004) paper/ US: $16.00 Contact: Mrs. Huynh Dieu Bich 1210 Bluebonnet Pl.Cir Apt L Houston, TX 77019  USA VAN HOC VIET NAM THE KY 20 MOT SO HIEN TUONG VA THE LOAI By Nguyen Vy Khanh Author of 5 books. Van Hoc Viet Nam The Ky 20 Mot so hien tuong va the loai Research—663p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Justin Nguyen paper/ US: $22.00 (CA: Dai Nam, 2004) VAN HOA, GIOI TINH VA VAN HOC By Nguyen Hoang Van Van Hoa, Gioi Tinh va Van Hoc Essay—265p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Hoang Ngoc Dieu paper/ US: $14.00 (CA: Van Moi, 2004) Contact: Van Moi Publisher P.O. Box 287 Gardena, CA 90248 CHU DUOI CHAN TUONG By Nguyen Vien Author of 6 books. Chu duoi chan tuong Story—204p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese paper/ US: $12.00 (CA: Van Moi, 2004) Contact: Van Moi Publisher P.O. Box 287 Gardena, CA 90248 TUOI 20 YEU DAU By Nguyen Huy Thiep Tuoi 20 yeu dau Novel—193p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Nguyen Trong Khoi paper/ US: $12.00 (CA: Van Moi, 2004) Contact: Van Moi Publisher P.O. Box 287 Gardena, CA 90248 MAU HE By Tran Yen Hoa Author of 5 books. Mau He Novel—412p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Ho Thanh Duc paper/ US: $15.00 (CA: The Ky, 2004) Contact: Tran Yen Hoa. 14272 Hoover St #95 Westminster, CA 92683. Phone: 714-636-2390 714-623-2642 AO GAM VE LANG By Tran Yen Hoa Author of 5 books. Ao Gam Ve Lang Collection of stories—295p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Ho Thanh Duc paper/ US: $15.00 (CA: The Ky, 2004) Contact: Tran Yen Hoa. 14272 Hoover St #95 Westminster, CA 92683. Phone: 714-636-2390 714-623-2642 BEN LUNG NHUNG CON CHU By Song Thao Author of six books. Ben Lung Nhung Con Chu Collection of short stories—218p; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese paper/ US: $12.00 (CA: Van Moi, 2003) Contact: Van Moi Publisher P.O. Box 287 Gardena, CA 90248 MADE IN VIETNAM By Thuan Made in Vietnam Collection of short stories—192p; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese paper/ US: $12.00 (CA: Van Moi, 2003) Contact: Van Moi Publisher P.O. Box 287 Gardena, CA 90248 THUONG NHO HOANG LAN By Tran Thuy Mai Thuong Nho Hoang Lan Collection of short stories—240p; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese paper/ US: $12.00 (CA: Van Moi, 2003) Contact: Van Moi Publisher P.O. Box 287 Gardena, CA 90248 TINH THOM MAY NHANH By Le Han Tinh Thom May Nhanh Collection of Poems—177p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art by Dinh Cuong paper/ US: No price given (CA: No publisher given, 2003) Contact: leh@aecl.ca lehan3359ca@yahoo.com MAY SONG CUNG LOI By Hoang Chinh Author of 4 books. May Song Cung Loi Novel—285p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese Cover Art: Thieu Nu by Vi Vi paper/ US: $13.00 (CA: Van Moi, 2003) Contact: Van Moi Publisher P.O. Box 287 Gardena, CA 90248 PATERSON LITERARY REVIEW Literary Journal Issue 32 Editor: Maria Mazziotti Gillan Paternson Literary Review A multicultural literary journal, established in 1979, Issue 32 contents includes: poetry, translations, prose, fiction, memoir, essay, reviews. 354 p.; 23cm. Language: English paper/ US: $10.00 Contact: Maria Mazziotti Gillan, Editor Paterson Literary Review 1 College Boulevard Paterson, NJ, 07505-1179 USA LUU DAN THI THOAI A Selected Works of Stray Immigrants’ Poetry Critique By Dien Nghi & Song Nhi. · Literary essay and constructive criticism. Luu Dan Thi Thoai, critique—585p.; 21cm. Language: Vietnamese paper/ US: $20.00 (CA: Coi Nguon, April 2003) Contact: CSTV Coi Nguon C/o Song Nhi 322 Ryegate Court, San Jose, CA 95133 USA Tel: (408) 729-8352 Fax: (408) 258-0142 E-mail: songnhi_2000@yahoo.com Or : songnhi2000@hotmail.com SONG NUI CUNG NGUOI THOM NGAT THO By Luan Hoan Author of 18 poetry collections. His 17^th collection is Co Hoa Goi Dau, published by Song Van in 1997. Song nui cung nguoi thom ngat tho Poetry — 138p.; 21cm. paper/ US: 10$.00 Language: Vietnamese (CAN: Tho, 2003) Contact: Le Ngoc Chau 11351 ARMAND LA VERGNE Montréal Nord PQ H1H-5W3 CANADA Tel: (514) 325-6409 E-mail: luanhoan@videotron.ca Note: Titles in this page presented, or in the issues mentioned, are not intended to be ordered through this website. Return to top
Copyright © The Writers Post 1999. Nothing in this website may be downloaded, distributed, or reproduced without the permission of the author/ translator/ artist/ and The Writers Post. Creating links to place The Writers Post or any of its pages within other framesets or in other documents is copyright violation, and is not permitted. ISSN 1527-5469 – US-based, founded 1999. Founder & Editor: N. Saomai