Three Unique Voices, One Vibrant Press: Recent Praise for BlazeVOX [books]
At BlazeVOX [books], we champion voices that move with originality, experiment boldly, and express the heart’s deeper rhythms—whether through poetry, prose, or something in between. We were delighted to see Midwest Book Review recently feature three of our most recent titles on Arthur Turfa’s Bookshelf. Each work—distinct in tone, form, and focus—adds something vital to the conversation of contemporary literature. Here’s a look at what Turfa had to say:
Bachelor Holiday by William Huhn
In this impressive debut collection, William Huhn—essayist, fiddler, scientist—transports us across time and terrain. Arthur Turfa likens the poems to the storytelling style of Al Stewart, where history is relayed with lyricism and clarity. From the ruins of Herculaneum to a snowy day in Vermont, Huhn’s poetic reach is as broad as it is thoughtful.
Turfa singles out standout poems such as "Expedition", which challenges first impressions, "Blue Corn Pancakes", a sensory blend of place and memory, and "A’Shiwwi", a respectful nod to Zuni traditions. With minimalist structures that occasionally surprise, Huhn’s debut signals a poetic voice with depth and curiosity. We can’t wait to see what comes next.
Self-Geofferential by Geoffrey Gatza
A radiant fusion of visual art and poetry, Self-Geofferential is a work that defies categorization. “Is it poetry with artwork or artwork with poetry?” Turfa asks—only to conclude that such distinctions don’t matter when the experience is so rich.
The poems roam from the whimsical to the elegiac, the backyard to the nation. One piece, "America", leaps from the page with provocative questions about belonging, observation, and survival: “To see America, you must leave your home, no longer write poetry, and live.” In these layered works, Gatza offers a deeply personal vision, framed by color, memory, and philosophical edge.
The Visit by Ana T. Kralj
In The Visit, Ana T. Kralj weaves poetry into prose in a haunting narrative of memory, identity, and the blurred boundaries of time. Her protagonist, Luna, lives in post-Yugoslav Slovenia—a region calm on the surface but steeped in echoes of history. Turfa praises the novel’s pairing of richly detailed prose with spare, emotionally precise poetry.
From a Finnish summer camp to solitary walks in Ljubljana, Luna’s world is rendered with emotional clarity and a deep awareness of how the past shapes the present. Kralj’s hybrid form is more than stylistic; it becomes essential to understanding Luna’s inner life and the complexity of a region caught between past and present.
These three titles reflect what BlazeVOX is all about: books that break boundaries, that surprise and challenge, that offer unexpected windows into history, identity, and imagination. We’re thrilled to see these authors recognized, and we encourage readers to explore their work—whether it’s your first visit or a return to the BlazeVOX bookshelf.
You can find all three books (and more) at blazevox.org.
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Thank you to Arthur Turfa and Midwest Book Review for supporting independent literature and the voices that make it thrive.
