I just received the good news via e-mail. My collection of science fiction and fantasy poems, “ANDROID GIRL And Other Sentient Speculations,” just received a Nomination for the annual Elgin Poetry Award.
The current list of nominated books is impressive to say the least (I’ve read over half of them and they are wonderful collections). I’m thrilled to have my book included among them.
[Android Girl is the perfect title for this collection of poetry. Like an android, this collection balances humanity and machine with an adequate dose of horror. Michael expresses himself in a variety of forms, utilizing both rhyme and free verse to offer wry warnings and submerged truths. One of my favorites is “Song of The Romantic Luddite Gnome.” For me, it sums up the challenge of the science fiction poet and writer. Balancing science—”an albino devoid of the colors of life”—with the wanton freedom of artistic expression is a challenge faced by all of us. In Android Girl, Michael accomplishes this with grace.His work is rich with esoteric visions of technology, but he doesn’t drown the work with sterilized verse. Instead, Michael brings his creation out into the world to walk among us in a strange landscape we, ourselves, have created.A collection that expresses wit and humor along with the meandering thoughts from a wandering wise man, Android Girl is a collection to chew slowly, savoring every bite under the stars on a summer night… wondering.]