EDITORIAL

Welcome to the Červená Barva Press August Newsletter, 2026

Hi Everyone- Check out Publisher's Talk. So many wonderful presses have signed up to do a video. It is publishers talking about their press, when it started, what they look for, submission info and much more. It is more personal than reading directories. Check it out. Many more are signed up for October and November. If you are interested, contact me.

So far, I have recorded the following:

• Hanging Loose Press with Mark Pawlak: https://youtu.be/CJZ3Xz_PmI4
• MEW/EMW Productions with Eric Wasserman: https://youtu.be/BLW_LC8b1zA
• Red Rook Press with Paul Albano: https://youtu.be/RbTdSLokNUo
• Black Lawrence Press with Diane Goettel: https://youtu.be/AHbR-NWURQc
• Prolific Pulse Press with Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld: https://youtu.be/_3L7bVhz5j4
• IHRAM Press with Tom Block: https://youtu.be/gbkmaoJxfbw
• Poetry Porch with Joyce Wilson: https://youtu.be/eMN7DAAmFhk
• Perugia Press with Rebecca Hart Olander: https://youtu.be/ZYgWINJ-WGk
• 10 x 10 with Zvi A. Sesling: https://youtu.be/Ezs-YJFRRKI

So far in August, 2026, we have published the following two books:

A Hard Winter for Living by Jean Flanagan

Jean Flanagan is the author of three books of poetry: Ibbetson Street (Garden Street Press), Black Lightning (Cedar Hill Books) and The Language of Two (Finishing Line Press). Flanagan is a volunteer for "Changing Lives Through Literature" an alternative sentencing program in Massachusetts. She is one of the founders of the Arlington Center for the Arts and the Poet Laureate Emeritus of Arlington, Massachusetts.

Alive in These Woods by Sally Bliumis-Dunn

Sally Bliumis-Dunn is an Associate Editor-at-Large and features writer for PLUME. She teaches the Personal Essay at the 92nd Street Y in NYC. Her poems have appeared in 32 Poems, New Ohio Review, On the Seawall, the Paris Review, PLUME, The Poetry Foundation, Poetry London, Maine Public Radio's Poems From Here, Prairie Schooner, The New York Times, PBS NewsHour, Valparaiso Poetry Review, The Writer's Almanac, The Academy of American Poets' Poem-a-Day and Ted Kooser's American Life in Poetry. In 2002, she was a finalist for the Nimrod/Hardman Pablo Neruda Prize. Her first full-length collection, Talking Underwater was published by Wind Publications in 2007. In 2008, she was asked to read in the "Love Poems Program" at the Library of Congress. Her second book, Second Skin, was published by Wind Publications in 2010. Her chapbook, Galapagos Poems, was published by Kattywompus Press in 2016. Her third book, Echolocation was published by Plume Editions/Madhat Press in March, 2018. Echolocation was a finalist for the Eric Hoffer Award, Julie Suk Award and the Poets by the Sea Prize. She lives in Armonk, New York and Harpswell, Maine, with her husband, John. The share four children, Ben, Angie, Kaitlin and Fiona as well as two grandchildren, Bodhi and Marlee.

I am right now working on books by Ned Randle, Christopher Bowen, and Corey Mesler

Order these and many other fine books at: The Lost Bookshelf

Doug Holder of Ibbetson St. Press received the
Červená Barva Press Literary Service Award

Doug Holder of Ibbetson St. Press received the Červená Barva Press Literary Service Award for his years of supporting our writing community. Thank you to the Little Crepe Café for giving us the space to celebrate and award Doug. Thanks to everyone who attended.

(L to R) Denise Provost, Doug Holder and Červená Barva Press editor, Gloria Mindock.
Photo by Bobbie Toner

JOHN WISNIEWSKI INTERVIEWS POLINA EISENBERG

What was the experience like living in Russia and then leaving? Was this a difficult transition?

I have some very good and not so good memories from Russia. The good memories were of my family and friends. I grew up with a lot of love and a sense of safety. We lived in a large apartment - my family consisted of my mom, grandmother, grandfather, and great grandmother. I am an only child. My mom was only 18 when she had me so we grew up more like sisters, raised by my grandparents. The bad memories came from the atmosphere of the country itself. I remember everything looking a shade of grey. The weather, the people, the stores. People didn't really smile. Store cashiers didn't ask you how your day is. But I was a shy kid, so I didn't really mind that part.

Transitioning to America was very difficult. Kids don't take to foreigners too well. I was teased and taunted most of my adolescence for having an accent and being from Russia. I felt different and isolated most of my life, but especially once I came here - because I actually was different and isolated. Despite the difficult adjustment I am very grateful that my life brought me here. I adjusted eventually.

What attracts you to writing, Polina?

What attracts me to writing is what it does to my brain. It sort of just flows when I'm writing. Usually my brain is a mix of questions, problems to be solved, or grievances about my life. When I am writing, my brain empties onto the page and becomes more of a vessel of thoughts and feelings rather than a traffic jam of them.

Any favorite writers?

Definitely Viktor Frankl - author of Man's Search for Meaning. I love his clear writing style and his simple portrayal of complex ideas. He makes certain concepts click for me. My favorite one is when he talks about how a man's clothes, rights, belongings, etc. can be torn away from him but one thing that cannot be taken from a man is his freedom to choose his attitude. That has stuck with me.

What was it like trying to stay sober? And trying to get your life back in order?

Staying sober isn't the hard part for me. The hard part was getting sober. I spent a few years attempting to stay sober - living in a grey area - a purgatory - of not wanting to continue the way I've been living and not being able to get sober. Now that I am sober I don't mess with it. I stick to the things that got me sober in the first place and I don't deviate. I know how hard it is to get here and I don't want to destabilize the momentum I have.

Did you learn anything from living through these ordeals?

I learned that life doesn't magically happen to me. I have to do uncomfortable things. I used to live in a way that was easy. I didn't want to be inconvenienced or put in effort that was uncomfortable. I wanted life to just do itself. That led me to a very dark place. Getting and staying sober taught me that sometimes we have to suck it up and do the thing. Nothing worth having comes easy.

Was it difficult to write "Bad Decade"?

Writing Bad Decade was difficult in the sense that I was forced to remember very uncomfortable things. It also took a lot of discipline. I started writing it when I was 23 years old. I finished it when I was 33. So I took a very long hiatus and almost gave up on it. Then one day I was like "You know what? I'm going to finish this project." And so I did. I sat my butt down and wrote it, day by day, page by page, word by word. And I learned that that's how most things in life work; one thing at a time.

What has been the reaction to the book by readers?

Most people can relate to at least some parts of the book. I think a lot of people have the same inner dialogue that I have and I believe that reading it out loud helped people feel less alone in that.

Do you appreciate life more now that you lived through these experiences?

Absolutely. I know how dark life can get and I feel grateful every day that I do not live in that darkness. But the thing is, I know I have to work at it to keep staying in the light. I don't just get to sit back and relax. Every day takes work and effort to stay out of the darkness. And every day, it is all so worth it.

In Closing...

On a personal note, I finally have a new website. I am so happy! I started a blog too!
I know there are probably too many headings on it, but I wanted it all there.
I worked hard so why not!? I may add a theatre section too. Not sure. I feel very strongly about doing what I want on my website!

If you have not checked it out, here it is:
https://gloriamindock.com

I have 4 posts on my blog too. I put something on my blog when I feel like it. No set schedule.

The next newsletter will be in November. See you then. Thank you for all the support of the press.
Gloria, Bill and staff

Červená Barva Press Staff

Gloria Mindock, Editor & Publisher
Renuka Raghavan, Assistant Editor, Publicity
Flavia Cosma, International Editor
Helene Cardona, Contributing Editor
Andrey Gritsman, Contributing Editor
Juri Talvet, Contributing Editor
John Wisniewski, Interviewer
William J. Kelle: Webmaster

Gene Barry (In Memoriam)
Karen Friedland (In Memoriam)

Former Staff:
Miriam O' Neal, Poetry Reviewer
Annie Pluto, Poetry Reviewer
Christopher Reilley, Poetry Reviewer
Susan Tepper, Poetry Reviewer
John Riley, Poetry and Fiction Reviewer
Neil Leadbeater, (UK)Poetry and Fiction Reviewer

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