'All of the shortlisted works were excellent, and each explored their chosen genres with great facility, charm and often, research. The non-fiction was rich and textured; the prose fiction remarkable. It was nearly impossible to make a selection, but one book stood out, thankfully - and it was the winner.
It is exceptionally difficult to write beautifully, and intelligently, with complexity and yet sincerity, about issues of identity, society, and culture, and still avoid pitfalls - one could say, originality is a challenge, as is the avoidance of appearing to simply preach or admonish; and using form and tradition with dexterity, while never losing sight of the need to speak new voices, new places, new ways of being, is paramount.
This poetry collection was nearly faultless in its imaginative reach, creative flair, and astonishing versatility. Reading it felt like being in the presence of an already-great vision, a writer (in this case) poet who knew precisely the measure of what had to be said, and why, but who never forgot that writing must be moving before it can be persuasive. I believe this collection will be one of the important books of this decade, and am proud to havebeen able to select it.'
This is why our winner of the 2019 International Beverly Prize for Literature is:
K. Eltinaé - THE MORAL JUDGMENT OF BUTTERFLIES (Poetry)
Thank you to all the writers who submitted to us, please continue to send your work to us and other SMALL PRESS publishers.
Congratulations. We always knew you were destined for greatness. Mr. P was very touched and proud of you when you wrote to him with the news.
Congratulations, K Eltinae. May your poetry receive its deserved attention and spread its hope and goodness in the world at this difficult time.
Keep it up my dear … we knew you’ll make it there and beyond
Very proud of you
I’m so happy that this work has received the recognition it deserves and that this prestigious prize was given to someone that truly knows how to use words to express meaning and truth, to touch our souls and open our eyes. Congratulations to K. Eltinaé. Thank you for finding the words.
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12 August, 2020
David
Congrats “Q”! I have always loved his poetry, also as a person who lives in the “borderlands” between cultures and nations. His poetry speaks to that experience of always being between worlds, it is insightful and leads to reflexion and consieration. Otra Vez, CONGRATS!