SHSU Gets Plug on National Public Radio by Texas Poet Laureate

Texas Poet Laureate Cleatus Rattan

Sam Houston State University is helping keep poetry alive in Texas, and became a part of the George W. Bush presidential inauguration in a round about way.

On January 15 Texas Poet Laureate Cleatus Rattan was featured in a National Public Radio taped interview that included the reading of several of his poems in honor of the upcoming presidential Inauguration.

Unlike his Democratic predecessors, President Bush did not have a poet present during his inauguration; but if he had, it would almost surely have been Rattan.

SHSU’s Texas Review Press has published most of Rattan’s work, most recently "The Border," which led to his appointment as poet laureate. The book was also chosen for University Interscholastic League public school student competitions.

Paul Ruffin, director of the Texas Review Press, said the plug was good for both the university and the press.

“I’m thrilled that our press, and therefore SHSU, was mentioned on NPR," said Ruffin. "That kind of publicity is invaluable.

” Earlier in the year Garrison Keillor featured poems by another TRP poet, William Notter," said Ruffin. "You just can't buy this kind of recognition."

Recently another TRP poet, Larry Thomas, won a coveted Violet Crown Award for his latest collection, "Where Skulls Speak Wind," also published by the TRP.

“The fact is,” Ruffin said, “we are publishing the best poetry in the state, and probably in the region, simply because few university presses want to fool with poetry. We are helping keep the genre alive.”

He said that books of poetry typically do not sell well, “but they are inexpensive to produce, so you don’t have to sell that many copies to make back your printing costs.”

Rattan's recent book has been highly successful.

“Cleatus’s 'The Border' might well be regarded as a best-seller in the world of poetry," said Ruffin, "since we’ve sold almost 5,000 copies of it, making back our expenses some ten-fold.”

Ruffin said that theTRP is anxious to support poetry, and especially Texas poets, in this way.

“Somebody has to keep poetry alive in this state, and we are certainly going to do our part," said Ruffin. "Besides, another Cleatus Rattan might come along–wouldn’t want to miss him.”

Copies of "The Border" are available from amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com or through the Texas A&M University Press Consortium (of which the TRP is a member) at 800.826.8911.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Feb. 1, 2005
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