A Letter from Tracy K. Smith
Photo ©Marlene Lillian, courtesy of Blue Flower Arts.December 28, 2012
Dear Friend of Fishouse,
When Matt asked me to help with Fishouse’s end-of-year campaign, my answer was an unequivocal yes. I have been a fan of Fishouse for a very long time, and have grown as a reader, writer and educator because of it.
I use Fishouse when I teach; I tell people about it whenever I’m asked about what’s new in the world of poetry. I check in frequently to get caught up on new recordings, and I am being edified by the translation section that Curtis Bauer has been building, which so far features poems from Chinese, Spanish, and Danish poets.
Matt also recently shared some fantastic news: he has found a developer for a new website for Fishouse – its first redesign since its launch 7 years ago. The original site was launched before Facebook (remember the days when we had to content ourselves with simply wondering where all our grade-school friends ended up?); as I’m sure you can imagine, there are a great many technological improvements to be made, as well as a new graphic interface, and extensive search options. Perhaps even more exciting than all of this is the fact that Fishouse is going mobile! The ability to properly display and access poems and audio on phones and tablets will expand Fishouse’s reach and impact for more and more users.
This is where all of us come in. The redesign will cost $10,000, and we have the first $5,000 saved/provided, but we need to raise $5,000 by January 15 to complete the project.
I know that many of us already support a number of worthy organizations and causes, but I’d like to encourage you to add Fishouse to your list, or to increase your current financial commitment to the site. Not only does each dollar that we contribute go toward building one of the most vast and engaging public-access audio archives of its kind, but our support will help bring Fishouse closer to a tangible goal: a stronger website to use and share with others, a better teaching tool, and an even greater sense of pride and joy.
Join me in helping Fishouse make this dream a reality. Any size gift helps, and I hope you’ll consider a contribution of $25 or more. For those able to make a gift, I’ve recorded a new poem, “After a Line by Goethe,” as a thank you.
Fishouse made such a difference to the life—and voice—of contemporary poetry. And with your help, it can begin to do even more.
Or you can mail a check to:
From the Fishouse
87 Stage Road
Pittston, ME 04345
With every bright wish,
Tracy K. Smith