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NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES OF POETRY FOR CRAM VOLUME 8
Dear Poets,
ChicagoPoetry.com is proud to announce that it will be hosting the third annual Chicago Poetry Cram at the Harold Washington Library, during the Public Library Poetry Month Fest featuring Cornelius Eady, on Saturday, April 24, 2010. The Chicago Poetry Cram will take place from 2 to 4 PM, directly following Mr. Eady's performance. I will personally host this open mic. show that will feature representatives from several local presses, presses that will also be showcased in the library's lobby throughout the day. Last year at the library, we set an all time Poetry Cram record by featuring 53 talented poets in one single event that was recorded for WBEZ's Chicago Amplified program. This year, we hope to break that record, and we invite YOU to participate in the show.
ChicagoPoetry.com Press will also release its eighth issue of Poetry Cram Magazine during the poetry fest. I will personally give away hundreds of free copies of Cram 8 to anyone who wants one, at my table in the lobby and during the Poetry Cram itself. As you know, Poetry Cram Magazine is a collaborative effort amongst talented poets who wish to get their poetry into the hands of the people. Each poet chips in a little money to help fund the project, so that we can then give the books away free at literary events. Over 2000 copies of Poetry Cram have been given away free so far.
YOU are invited to submit work to be considered for inclusion in
POETRY CRAM 8: POETIC CHICAGO.
THE RULES:
-- Poetry Cram Volume 8 is seeking poetry by Chicago area poets and / or poetry influenced by Chicago. I plan to be extremely open minded about the theme of Chicago, so if you have any ties to Chicago whatsoever or you feel like your poetry is influenced by Chicago in any way, you probably qualify for inclusion in this project. Let me see what you have!
--Poems should be 35 lines or less, including spaces between lines, and lines should be no longer than 12 words long. If your poem doesn't meet these specifications, please feel free to edit your poem so that it does. The reason for this is because Poetry Cram comes in the form of a 8" x 5" chapbook in which each poet is given his or her own page.
--You do not need to live in Chicago to enter for a chance at this opportunity. I will be happy to consider poetry from anywhere in the world. If you are chosen for inclusion but unable to make the release event on April 24, your copy of Cram 8 will be sent to you by mail.
--Please send only original work written by you. Poetry must be primarily in the English language. Previously published work is okay. Copyright reverts back to you after I publish it.
--.IMPORTANT: If I do not choose your poetry for inclusion in Cram 8, you will be entitled to a full refund of your donation.
If you would like your poetry considered for inclusion in Cram 8, FIRST:
CLICK HERE to make your $25 donation toward printing costs through PayPal.
Next, send up to three of your best poems to Publisher@ChicagoPoetry.com. If you are chosen for inclusion in the project, one of your poems will be selected to be showcased in Cram 8.
The best way to submit your poetry is as a word attachment with all your poetry included in a single word document. Also include a short cover letter introducing yourself and letting me know a little bit about yourself.
DEADLINE for submission is April 3, 2010, but please note that priority is given for early submissions.
Cram 8 promises to be a big one, and it will be released at a big event. I can't wait to see what you plan to contribute to it.
Yours in poetry,
CJ Laity
Editor, Poetry Cram Magazine
THE CRAM 7 POETS HAVE BEEN SELECTED
Right in time for the holidays, ChicagoPoetry.com Press has released Poetry Cram Volume 7, a chapbook filled with holiday themed poetry by Donna Pecore, Joseph S. Spence, Sr., Robert Klein Engler, Susan T. Moss, Anna Husain, Cynthia Pfeiffer, Sheila A Donovan, Mary Langer Thompson, Michael Landau, Marissa Brawn, CJ Laity, Diane Anjoue, Doree McNulty, Edith Willis, Laurie Blum, Peter Rodenby, Norm Nanstiel, Tania Ahlin, Laurie Slicer, and Clarke Canedy.
Cram 7 was given away free to audience members at the Chicago Poetry Love-In on December 4, 2009. More were given away free at various venues throughout December and January. About 250 copies total were given away free and a $100 cash prize was given to the recipient of the Editor's Choice Award.
Sorry, Cram 7 is gone. All copies of Cram 7 have been put into the hands of the people.
Many people also got a free copy of Cram 7 at this event.
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WINNER OF THE CRAM 7 $100 EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD
HumBug
by Donna Pecore
Chicago, IL
POEMS SELECTED FOR INCLUSION IN CRAM 7
HARVEST
by Anna Husain
Barrington, IL
birthday
by Cynthia Pfeiffer
Oak Lawn, IL
Bravery
by Diane Anjoue
Wood Dale, IL
JFK IS NOT FORGOTTEN IN MY EYES
by Doree McNulty
Chicago, IL
Royal Dog, Francis
by Edith Willis
Sauk Village, IL
Great Eggnog Treat
by Joseph S. Spence, Sr
Shorewood, WI
Secret Code Name: Valentine
by Laurie Blum
Chicago, IL
Why?
by Laurie Slicer
River Forest, IL
deck the halls with social anxiety
by Marissa Brawn
Chicago, IL
My Son Shares Shorts on Easter Sunday
by Mary Langer Thompson
Apple Valley, CA
CINCO DE MAYO
by Michael Landau
Evanston, IL
Earthly Dawning
by Norm Nanstiel
Des Plaines, IL
New Years Eve in Allendale
by Peter Rodenby
United Kingdom
.GOING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS.
by Robert Klein Engler
Oak Park, IL
CHASING CTA
by Sheila A Donovan
Chicago, IL
Putting Out The Word
by Susan T. Moss
Evanston, IL
Celebrations, on the brink of
by Tania Ahlin
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Velocity!
by Clarke Canedy
Chicago, IL
Congratulations, poets!
Many people received a free copy of CRAM 7 at this event!

NOW ACCEPTING POETRY FOR CRAM 8
Over 1800 copies of Cram have been given away so far at such distinguished Chicago area venues as The Printers Ball, The Harold Washington Library, The Printers Row Book Fair, The Woodland Pattern Bookstore, The Museum of Contemporary Art, The AWP Conference, and at many other events. Cram is one of the most popular and widely read poetry periodicals coming out of Chicago today.
CRAM 6: THE UNCENSORED EDITION IS HERE!
Cram 6: The Uncensored Edition was given away free to the public on Friday, July 31, exclusively at the Printers Ball. Hundreds of copies of Cram 6 were given away to the public.
Sorry, Cram 6 is all gone. They are all in the hands of the people.
Hundreds of copies of Cram 6 were given away free at

*****CRAM 6 POETS*****
Congratulations go out to the poets chosen for inclusion in Cram 6.

Amber Groomes
Austin, TX
Angie Tomcik
Evanston, IL
Chris Reid
Chicago, IL
Colleen D. Storiz
Grayslake, IL
Cynthia Gallaher
Chicago, IL
Cynthia Pfeiffer
Oak Lawn
David Breeden
Mukwonago, WI
Dizzy Costales
Kamuela, HI
Don Ward
Raleigh, NC
Donna Pecore
Chicago, IL
Dred Sista Ren
Chicago, IL
George McKim
Raleigh, NC
Homer Smith
Chicago, IL
Jennifer Dotson
Highland Park, IL
Judith Wiker
West Chicago, ILy
Julie M. Tate
Tulsa, OK
Laurie Blum
Chicago, IL
Lillian Jordan
Chicago, IL
Marilyn Peretti
Glen Ellyn, IL
Marissa Brawn
Chicago, IL
Michael H. Brownstein
Chicago, IL
Michael Landau
Evanston, IL
N. Barry Carver
Lawrence, Kansas
Peter Rodenby
st johns chapel, Durham
United Kingdom
Sheila Donovan
Chicago, IL
Shontay Luna
Chicago, IL
Stella Vinitchi Radulescu
Chicago, IL
Vito De Meo
Italy
Shermin Izadpanah-Kruse
Chicago, IL
Wilda Morris
Bolingbrook, IL
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CRAM 6 POETS!!
NOW ACCEPTING POETRY FOR CRAM 8
LISTEN TO THE CRAM 5 RELEASE EVENT ON WBEZ RADIO
Please bookmark or add to favorites for future reference.
CRAM 5 IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE
Congratulations go out to the 29 poets selected to be included in ChicagoPoetry.com's new publication, Poetry Cram Volume 5.
Hundreds of copies of Cram 5 were given away for free HERE and HERE.
Sorry. Due to the popularity of Cram 5, we no longer have copies available for mail orders.
THE CRAM 5 POETS ARE:
Rabi Akbik, Evanston, IL
Amy Srodon
veronica precious bohanan, Chicago, IL
Stella Radulescu, Chicago, IL
Bianca Teresa Cappetta, Chicago, IL
Jo Stewart, Chicago, IL
Peter Rodenby, United Kingdom
Jim Lambert, Carbondale, IL
Tim Kucharski, Chicago, IL
Rodney Reinhart, Blue Island, IL
Sara Gove, Chicago, IL
Laurie Blum, Chicago, IL
Shirlee Sky Hoffman, Chicago, IL
Shannon Byers, Chicago, IL
Sheila A Donovan, Chicago, IL
Donna Pecore, Chicago, IL
Giuliano Fontanez\, Ottawa, IL
Bonnie Pignatiello Leer, Manteno, IL
Paul Stewart, Chicago, IL
Wilda Morris, Bolingbrook, IL
Lillian Jordan, Chicago, IL
Anna Husain, Barrington, IL
Joseph Spence, Sr, Shorewood, WI
Cynthia Stell, Oak Lawn, IL
Matthew Polk, Chicago, IL
Timothy A Schuler, Chicago, IL
PJ Destin, Chicago, IL
Michelle Brinckerhoff, Wilmette, IL
Alexei Lalagos, Chicago, IL
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
NOW ACCEPTING POETRY FOR CRAM 8
CRAM 4 IS OUT OF PRINT AND IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE
Exciting News! Cram 4 is a total success.
As promised, all 400 copies have been given away to people at the Woodland Pattern Marathon Poetry Reading in Milwaukee, at the Loose Leaf Tea Loft, by mail, and at the 2009 AWP Conference at the Hilton Chicago.
**Sorry. Due to the popularity of Cram 4 we no longer have extra copies for mail orders.
CRAM 4 FEATURES 33 TALENTED POETS
Congratulations go out to the 33 poets who are included in Cram 4, a chapbook that was distributed free to the public at the 2009 AWP Conference in Chicago, and at other public literary events.
The poets selected for inclusion in Cram 4 are:
Laurie Slicer, River Forest, IL
David Breeden, Mukwonago, WI
Jose Bono Rovirosa, South Korea
Sean Spellman, Chicago, IL
Marilyn Peretti, Glen Ellyn, IL
Donna Pecore, Chicago, IL
Edward D Ward, Raleigh, NC
Chuck Joy, Erie, PA
Wilda Morris, Bolingbrook, IL
Glenn Ferdman, Skokie, IL
Thomas Foote, Shawnee Mission, KS
Davy Corbett, Lake Barrington, IL
Steve Mayfield, Des Plaines, IL
Laurie Blum, Chicago, IL
Anna Husain, Barrington, IL
Jennifer Dotson, Highland Park, IL
Shontay Luna, Chicago, IL
Julie Tate, Tulsa, OK
Sharon Ankrum, Oak Park, IL
Bonnie Leer, Manteno, IL
Daniel S. Weinberg, Chicago, IL
Zachary Kluckman, Rio Rancho, NM
P.S. Cottier, Australia
Wendy Brown-Baez, Minn, MN
Cynthia Stell, Oak Lawn, IL
Robert Klein Engler, Chicago, IL
Peter Rodenby, United Kingdom
rachel levy, Glenview, IL
Chance Corbeil, Columbus, OH
Linda Kaban, Wauconda, IL
Jeffrey Allen, Crystal Lake, IL
Angelique Williams, South Holland, IL
Rabi’ Akbik “Rabibaba”, Evanston, IL

NOW ACCEPTING POETRY FOR CRAM 8
Chicago Inspires Poetry
Often visitors to our great city are so inspired by our beautiful landmarks that they end up writing a poem in tribute. You don't have to be from Chicago to submit your work for publication. If you have a poem about Chicago, or about anything for that matter, you are invited to submit to Poetry Cram Magazine no matter where you live. If you are unavailable to pick your copy up at our release event, one will be mailed to you free of charge. Your work will be reviewed personally by CJ Laity for possible publication. Cram has published poets from all different parts of the United States and the world. We look forward to reading what you have to offer
CRAMFORMATION
*Cram is edited by well known publisher CJ Laity. Submission does not guarantee publication. Printing fee will be refunded if your poem is not selected for publication.
--Cram is titled after the popular open mic event, The Poetry Cram.
--There are no restrictions as to subject matter, style or form. The more variety the better. Let us see what you have.
--Cram is open to all poets, previously published or unpublished.
--You don't have to be from Chicago to submit to Cram. If you have a poem published in Cram, but you're not around to get your free copy, one will be sent to you by mail free of charge.
--Previously published work is okay.
--You can submit up to three poems, but only one poem will be chosen for publication per issue.
--We are presently only accepting submission by e-mail and only accepting donations toward the printing cost by use of the link to PayPal above. For your security, only tiny amounts of money are kept in the PayPal account at any given time. We are not currently accepting submissions by snail mail.
--Crams are handmade by editor CJ Laity. They are truly collectors items.
--Always include a short cover letter letting the editor know a little bit about yourself any time you submit poetry to a publication. It is professional to do so and increases your chances of getting published.
--If possible, send your poetry submission as an attachment in a word document. You can submit in the body of the email, but sometimes doing it that way changes the form of your poem.
--Copyrights revert back to individual authors after publication. That means you can republish your work, but it's polite to mention Cram as the publication your poem first appeared in.
--ChicagoPoetry.com reserves the right to publish and distribute unlimited copies of Cram or to put into additional printings any volume of Cram.
NOW ACCEPTING POETRY FOR CRAM 8
THE CRAM VOLUME 3 POETS
Eighteen poets were selected to be included in Cram Volume 3 published by ChicagoPoetry.com Press. Three hundred copies of Cram 3 were distributed for FREE to people at various venues, including the Printers Ball sponsored by Poetry Magazine, held at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Friday, August 22, 2008. The poets selected for inclusion are:
Dred Sista Ren
Daniel Weinberg
Bonnie Pignatiello Leer
Marilyn Peretti
René Ostberg
Tara Keogh
Jessica Lane
Charlotte Hart
Jenna Augustine
Lillian Jordan
Donna Eder
Tom Roby
Andrew Rafalski
Chris Reid
Rod Reinhart
Donna Pecore
Glenn Ferdman
Thomas Foote
Congratulations to the selected poets!
CJ Laity
Editor
CRAM VOLUME 2 POETS
Eighteen poets were selected for inclusion in Cram Volume 2, which was distributed free to the public on Sunday, June 8, 2008, at the Printers Row Book Fair. The recipients of this honor included:
Kristin LaTour, Aurora, IL
Andrea Uptmor, Chicago
Bianca Cappetta, Chicago
Bonnie Pignatiello Leer, Manteno, IL
Dan Cleary, New Lenox, IL
Daniel Weinberg, Chicago, IL
Donna Pecore, Chicago
Frances Buckley, Chicago
Gerard Sarnat MD, Portola Valley, CA
Glenn Ferdman, Skokie, IL
Jill Eisnaugle, Texas City, TX
Julie Tate, Tulsa, OK
Lina Chern, Vernon Hills, IL
Marilyn Kraus, Chicago
Marilyn Peretti, Glen Ellyn, IL
Martin Willow, Lakewood, NY
Thomas Foote, Shawnee Mission, KS
Sandy Goldsmith, Chicago
NOW ACCEPTING POETRY FOR CRAM 8
FREE POETRY FROM THE DUSTY BOX!
Cram Volume 1 featured excellent poetry by Buddha309, Donna Pecore, Dan Cleary, Jo Stewart, Larry O. Dean, Robin Goldberg, Lorraine Harrell, Rod Reinhart, Glenn Ferdman, Linda Bendorf, Paul Stewart and Jason Sturner.
Cram Volume 1 was officially released at the Harold Washington Library on Saturday, April 26, 2008. during the National Poetry Month Poetry Fest.
Cram will always be distributed free to the public. How cool is that?
Sorry!!! All available copies of Cram 1, 2 and 3 have been distributed free to the public. We would say that they are "sold out" but we didn't sell them; we gave them away FREE. We may do another printing of any volume at any time, so check back to see what's available.
WHAT A CRAMFULLY CRAZY IDEA!
Poetry Cram Magazine, published by ChicagoPoetry.com Press, is a wonderful idea that is so crazy that it works. Cram is not funded by government grants or by corporations. It has great karma because the people who love poetry the most, the poets, fund it. The small amounts of money that the poets chip in go directly toward the printing of Cram. The more poets who participate, the more copies of Cram can be printed. When more copies are printed, more people get it for free and read it. This guarantees that your poetry will find its way into the hands of the people. Let's face it! People rarely ever buy poetry books, but people love to get free stuff. Cram is not going to sit in a box and collect dust because we are giving it away! Isn't that crazy?
What? You say you don't have a poem but want to send a gift to help with the printing of Cram anyway? Every buck you donate creates another issue of Cram. CLICK HERE TO CHIP IN..
NOW ACCEPTING POETRY FOR CRAM 8
CRAMIBUTION REPORT
--Several advance copies of Cram Volume 1 were given away for free to people at Millennium Park on Sunday, April 20, 2008.
--April 21, 2008, several copies of CRAM Volume 1 were given away for free to people at a Chicago open mic venue.
--Over one hundred copies of Cram were distributed free at the Poetry Fest at Harold Washington Library on April 26.
--May 16, 2008, several copies of Cram Volume 1 are given away free to audience members at Mercury Cafe during Vito Carli's open mic event.
May 20, 2008, several more copies of Cram are given away free to audience members at another poetry open mic.
--Saturday, June 7, 2008. Cram Volume 2 is at the Printers Row Book Fair. Over 100 copies are given away to audience members at the Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Stage throughout the day.
--Sunday, June 8, 2008, another 100 copies of Cram Volume 2 are given away free to audience members at the Printers Row Book Fair.
--Several copies of Cram 2 are given to David Hernandez to be given out free at Blue Line Studios.
--July 27. Several copies of Cram 2 are given to audience members at Cathleen Schandelmeier's Beach Poets event.
--300 copies of Cram 3 were distributed for FREE to people at the Printers Ball at the Museum of Contemporary Art on August 22, 2008.
--January 31, 2009: Dozens of copies of the long anticipated Cram 4 are given away free to attendees at the Woodland Pattern Marathon Poetry Reading in Milwaukee Wisconsin.
--February 6, 2009, dozens of advance copies of Cram 4 are given free to the public at Loose Leaf Tea Loft.
--February 10, Several more copies of Cram 4 are given away free at High Tea With the Poetry Princess open mic.
--February 12, 50 copies of Cram 4 are given away free to people at the AWP Conference at the Hilton Chicago.
--February 13, 100 copies of Cram 4 are given away free to people at the AWP Conference.
--February 14, every last copy of Cram 4 is given away during the AWP Conference. A total of 400 copies of Cram 4 were given away so far.
--April 19, 2009, 75 advance copies of Cram 5 are given away at Peter Jones Gallery during the Poetry Explosion.
--April 25, 2009, hundreds of copies of Cram 5 are given away at the Harold Washington Library during the Poetry Fest
--Arpil 26, the remaining copies of Cram 5 are given out at the Evanston Public Library during the Rhino Magazine Forum
--July 31, 2009, Cram 6 was released at the 2009 Printers Ball sponsored by Poetry Magazine / Poetry Foundation at Columbia College. Hundreds of copies were given away free to the public and we did a big release reading in a wonderrful theater.
--December 4, 2009, about 70 copies of Cram 7 were given away free to audience members at the Chicago Poetry Love-In at Cafe Ballou.
--Throughout December 2009, Cram 7s were distributed at various venues.
--On January 16, 2010, about 40 copies of Cram 7 were given away free to people at the New Year Poetry Cram show.
NOW ACCEPTING POETRY FOR CRAM 8
Note: This is your chance to get published in the new periodical CRAM. Here are the details.
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