While Arkansas will probably never catch up to storied Mississippi in terms of our literary reputation, several young authors in the state are making a heck of a dent. The latest is Alexander poet Bryan Borland, whose book of poems, “My Life as Adam” (Sibling Rivalry Press), was recently selected for The American Library Association’s “Over the Rainbow” list of the best gay and lesbian books of 2010.
Borland, whose poetry has been nominated for the prestigious Pushcart Prize three times, said that the inclusion of “My Life as Adam” on the ALA list is an honor for a uniquely Arkansan book.
“I grew up in Monticello, at a time when being an out, gay man was an impossibility,” Borland said. ” ‘My Life as Adam’ takes the reader through the path toward self-acceptance, a path that cut right through Arkansas.”
In addition to being a poet, Borland is also the editor and publisher of the poetry journal Assaracus, which he said is the only quarterly journal dedicated exclusively to gay and lesbian poetry. The journal’s first issue came out June 1, 2010.
It’s clear it was needed, he said, because submissions for upcoming issues have been pouring in.
For more information about the author, “My Life as Adam,” or Assaracus, visit Borland’s website at www.bryandborland.com.