H O M E O F F I C E R S L O M P L I G H T E R M O C C A S I N P O E T L A U R E A T E C O N T E S T S J O I N

THE MOCCASIN

EDITOR: Meredith R. Cook - (507) 526-2653 - 427 N. Gorman, Blue Earth, MN 56013 - (507) 526-5321 (507) 526-2698

PUBLISHED ANNUALLY BY THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA POETS

Be a Patron of the Arts! A long-standing tradition in the League of Minnesota Poets which has been allowed to lapse is the having of patrons for each issue; The Moccasin has never paid for itself. Please send checks to the League treasurer if you would like to donate. Any amount is welcome and will be acknowledged in this space. Thank you to Lillian Lane Hess for a gift of $10.00 to The Moccasin and to John Calvin Rezmerski and ViAnne Christensen for gifts of $1.00 each to The Moccasin. Thank you also to those who purchase extra copies of The Moccasin; this helps ensure future issues.

Please send news of poetic honors and achievements, books published, and upcoming poetry events to the League's quarterly newsletter, The Lomplighter, editor Tarah L. Wolff at eveningstorm@tarahlynn.com or 15136 130th St. Menahga, MN 56464. It is able to cover these in a more timely manner and in greater depth than The Moccasin can.

Thank you to Shirley Ensrud, Shirley Humburg, Doris Kessel and Joanne Willette for help with proofreading, etc.

Editor's note to members: SEND POEMS! Many poets' files contain LITTLE OR NOTHING. Try to keep at least six poems on file. Vary the subject matter, form, length, and width, but keep the quality strong. Very short strong poems are especially desirable. There is a 24-line maximum limit for all poems that are not NFSPS contests' prize winners. Do not put more than one poem on a page. Do not type on the front and back of the same page. Use 8-1/2-inch x 11-inch paper. Type or print your submissions. Proofread your work carefully. Check your spelling, especially hyphenated words. Check that your name is on the poem; include your phone number, too, if possible. Check that your subject and verb agree and your tense remains consistent. Do not use archaic language. Use no inversions. If you intend to punctuate a poem unconventionally, send with it in writing a statement that you are doing so on purpose and what effect you are striving for in doing so. Otherwise the editor may assume it is inadvertent and conventionally punctuate the poem. Remember this is your magazine, and strive to make it as fine as possible. If you want to use your whole book of poetry as your submission, please include $1.00 for every 20 pages for photocopying costs. Keep the Moccasin editor and the League's corresponding secretary informed of loss of loved ones and of changes of address.

SPECIAL NOTE: I especially need strong filler-length (8 lines and under) poems for next year's Moccasin. I did not get enough this year!

FINAL DEADLINE for submission to the 2008 issue of The Moccasin is July 12, 2008 (postmark date). Poems sent after that date will not be used before the 2009 issue.

While The Moccasin accepts previously published poetry, we can only list credits for previous publication for the NFSPS contests' winners and poems published in other magazines and anthologies. The Grand Prize-winning poem from the LOMP Annual Contests will also be indicated if submitted to The Moccasin. This is done both to encourage participation in NFSPS and LOMP contests and to show our members the kinds of poetry that are winning and being published. LOMP members are becoming so successful in NFSPS contests, however, that The Moccasin can sometimes no longer print all the prize-winning poems by members. We must now limit each poet to no more than three poems which have won NFSPS contests each year.

Price of The Moccasin is $4.00 plus $1.25 postage. Copies may be ordered from League Treasurer Angela Foster, 30036 St. Croix Road, Pine City, MN 55063. Make checks payable to The League of Minnesota Poets. Back issues are available while supplies last for the following prices plus postage: 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998: $4.00; 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990: $1.00; and in extremely limited quantities 1989, 1988, Autumn-Winter 1986, Autumn/Winter 1965, and Winter 1968: $1.00. A few other issues have 1 - 2 copies left. Also available: paperback copies of Heartsong & Northstar Gold, the 1984 Golden Anniversary ~ anthology of the League: $7.50.

The League welcomes new members: Jana Bouma, Madison Lake; Von S. Bourland, Happy, TX; Roberta Doucette, Brainerd; Michelle Evenson, Minneapolis; Valerie S. Field, Bemidji; Marylin Frank, North Mankato; Debra Hollar, Lenoir, NC; Brian Landstrom, Duluth; Holly Larsen, Pine City; Dorothy Lutz, St. Peter; Candice Pierce, Hermantown; and Mary Volker, Zumbro Falls.