The Space Poet

by Samantha Edmonds

In this hybrid work of prose and poetry, Samantha Edmonds tells the story of an artist—the first in space—sent by NASA to the International Space Station on a mission to make the stars accessible to those left on the ground. Nimbly pairing themes of queerness, religious guilt, and an uneasy search for belonging with scientific theories about multiverses, universal consciousness, and habitability on other planets, The Space Poet stands at the edges of human reach, out in the black where nothing can live, and dares to imagine a home.

Genres: Poetry

57 pages, Paperback

Published February 3, 2020

Reviews

[Allison Renner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very innovative hybrid prose/poetry collection that has great visuals and emotions.

Disclaimer: I am the Publicity & Reviews Manager for Split/Lip Press.

[Aster · Rating 5 out of 5]

i dont think anything i say can truly capture how much i love this; beautiful concept and execution. i wish i could be a student in one of her classes

[Anne Greenawalt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely writing that drifts seamlessly from poetry to prose, from fiction to essay to describe the space poet's journey in space, through relationships, and more. I love that the author included the research/articles that inspired her writing.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and enticing, I loved how Edmonds puts the reader in the head of the space poet. A charming collection that makes me want to go reread Mary Robinette Kowal’s Lady Astronaut series while being very different from it.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The space poet had told her there was no internet connection in space anyway."


AMAZING.

[NewPages]

The Space Poet is written in well-researched prose-like stanzas so it appears scientific, logical. There are some list poems. The premise for this book is so super intriguing, that’s why I am writing something here so more people know about it!

Guest Post by Susan Kay Anderson.

Read the full review at the NewPages blog.

[Bellatuscana Bellatuscana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lengthy poems, which I love. I like the analogy of the Space Poet. Some parts I liked, some seem just like a science lesson. At the end, tying it together by comparing her ex to the Myth of Aquarius is cool. All in all, there wasn't complete uniformity in meaning of the piece. It seemed vaguely similar to Life on Mars, but just not as good.

[Split Lip Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

WINNER OF THE 2018 TURNBUCKLE CHAPBOOK CONTEST, SELECTED BY TATIANA RYCKMAN

Hybrid readers, take note! In this seamless blend of genre, Samantha Edmonds tells the story of an artist—the first in space—sent by NASA to the International Space Station on a mission to make the stars accessible to those left on the ground. Nimbly pairing themes of queerness, religious guilt, and an uneasy search for belonging with scientific theories about multiverses, universal consciousness, and habitability on other planets, "The Space Poet" stands at the edges of human reach, out in the black where nothing can live, and dares to imagine a home.

Blurbed by Margaret Lazarus Dean and Erin Elizabeth Smith, who says, "This lyric meditation of space, longing, and the queer female experience explores the endless distances we must cross for what and whom we love."