Magra Books Inaugural Reading & Book Signing

A definitive departure from its series of 29 chapbooks published between 2016 and 2025, Magra’s first three full-length book projects—Dennis Phillips’ The Cartographer’s Lament, Bruce Boyd’s Toward Morning (edited by Bill Mohr), and Jessie McCarty’s Pretty Punks: Poems, Portrait & Play—are featured in this inaugural presentation.

Having published chapbooks by notable American and European poets such as Martha Ronk, Amelia Rosselli, Martial, Ray Di Palma, Corrado Costa, Gillian Conoley, Robert Crosson, Milli Graffi, Neeli Cherkovski, Douglas Messerli, David Lloyd, Art Beck, Paul Celan, Avery Burns, Amy Allara, Lorenzo Mari, and Gianluca Rizzo, Magra now embarks on a new course of independent publishing.

The press plans to release four to five titles a year, primarily poetry and other forms of innovative writing. As stated on the back cover of its chapbook series: “unique works by important writers.” Or, as its statement of purpose reaffirms, Magra presents writers committed to producing books that strive to make “news that stays news”—writers passionate about language, language that knows no borders.

The series will debut at Beyond Baroque and will feature readings and discussion by Dennis Phillips, Bill Mohr, and Jessie McCarty, along with introductory remarks by Magra editors S. E. Pessin and Paul Vangelisti.

Books will be available for signing by the authors following the readings in The Wanda Coleman Theater.

Doors Open: 1:30 PM I Readings: 2:00 PM

About Magra Books

Magra Books presents writers who are up to the all-encompassing challenge of producing books that strive to make “news that stays news.” Writers who are passionate about language, language that knows no borders. Taking its name from the Magra River in the Lunigiana region of Tuscany, a watershed rising high in the Apennine and flowing southwest into the fabled Gulf of Poets between Lerici and La Spezia, Magra Books highlights books of poetry, prose, drama, and works in translation.About Beyond Baroque

About Beyond Baroque

Beyond Baroque is one of the United States' leading independent Literary | Arts Centers and public spaces dedicated to expanding the public's knowledge of poetry, literature and art through cultural events and community interaction. Founded in 1968 as an experimental literary magazine, Beyond Baroque is based out of the original City Hall building in Venice, California. The Center offers a diverse variety of literary and arts programming including readings and workshops. The building also houses a bookstore with a large collection of new poetry books for sale.

Livestream: If you can’t join us in person the event will be livestreamed on Beyond Baroque’s YouTube channel at the scheduled time of the event. If you are tuning in this way, no ticket purchase is necessary.

If you are attending in person, ticket purchase is required. Tickets will be available at the Beyond Baroque bookstore on the day of the event, but we recommend registering in advance through Eventbrite. Masks are encouraged while inside our center. Please arrive early.

Event attendees are expected to behave in a respectful and considerate manner while in our space. Beyond Baroque reserves the right to remove individuals from our events, virtual or otherwise, if they are not respecting the space, staff, fellow attendees, or performers.