Poets Against War continues the tradition of socially engaged poetry by creating venues for poetry as a voice against war, tyranny and oppression.
Alexander "Sandy" Taylor: a Great Loss, a Great Life
Alexander "Sandy" D. Taylor, 76, of Willimantic, CT died December 21, 2007. Taylor was the founder and co-director of Curbstone Press of Willimantic, CT and a leading light in the world of independent publishing. A teacher of English for over thirty years, and a translator of Danish literature, his own poetry has been published in English, Danish, Bulgarian and Serbo-Croatian. Sandy and his wife Judith Ayer Doyle founded Curbstone Press in 1975, a non-profit literary publishing house focusing on works expressing a commitment to social awareness, human rights, and peace. With an emphasis on contemporary writing from Latino, Latin American, and Vietnamese cultures, the works produced by this small nonprofit publishing firm garnered an international reputation, founded, in the words of one of its authors, Luis Rodriguez, on giving voice to "writers that other publishers saw as too political, too risky, too experimental, too unknown--yet Curbstone never skimped on quality work." To writers, readers, and his friends, Sandy was, as fellow poet Sam Hamill put it: "a workhorse for peace, for engaged poetry of non-violence, for human dignity." Rodriguez recently wrote of his personal indebtedness lto Sandy, whom he regarded as "a second father". "I know Sandy's generosity and caring extended to many other writers over many years, who felt his gentle but steady hand on their shoulders pushing them forward, investing and sacrificing so that voices like ours can be heard, appreciated, honored. No writer can ask for more… Sandy lives on in the people he's touched, cajoled, rallied for, and celebrated. He lives on in his own poetry… He lives on in the wondrous… small publishing world that he helped create – where the best of this country still values what matters, and against all odds and economic advice continues to make books that will outlive all of us." The Press has also built connections between authors and students through programs that brought writers into under-funded schools in the Windham area and across the US to give readings, led poetry workshops, and provided students with personal copies of Curbstone books—sometimes the first book they owned. Born in Rumford, ME, in 1931, Sandy was raised in Glens Falls, NY, and graduated with a BA in English Literature from Skidmore College. He thereafter received both an MA and PhD in Literature from UConn. While working on his graduate degrees, he taught English at E.O. Smith High School from 1958 to 1968. In 1965 Sandy received a Fulbright Fellowship to Denmark during the 1965-66 school year where he became fluent in Danish and established relationships with many Danish writers and editors. During the 1960s and early 70s, Sandy was very active in both the anti-war and civil rights movements. From 1969 to 1990, Sandy taught English Literature and Creative Writing at Eastern Connecticut State College (now ECSU).A Celebration of Sandy's Remarkable Life and Accomplishments will be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Curbstone Press (321 Jackson Street, Willimantic, CT 06226).
West Coast Memorial Tribute to Alexander "Sandy" Taylor
As Founder and Co-Director of the non-profit literary arts organization, Curbstone Press, Alexander "Sandy" Taylor routinely placed an emphasis on contemporary writing from Latino, Latin American, and Vietnamese cultures in his publications. He was best known for giving a voice to poets and authors that other publishers saw as too political and risky.
Taylor will be remembered in this special event by Boa Diba, George Evans, Maketo Groves, Jack Hirschman, devorah major, Rosemary Manno, Sarah Menefee, Barbara Paschke, Luis Rodriguez and many others.
This event is free and open to the public.
LOCATION: Koret Auditorium
Main Library, San Francisco
100 Larkin Street (Grove Street Entrance)
415-557-4238
The death of Alexander “Sandy” Taylor is a great loss to American literature. Together with his wife, Judy Doyle, Sandy served literature, especially Latin-American literature, tirelessly and joyfully for more than three decades, bringing us the very important works of writers like Robert Sosa, Claribel Alegria, Mario Benedetti, Daisy Zamora, Martin Espada, James Scully, and Doug Anderson. Curbstone Press has habitually has made a home for emerging younger writers, for many Vietnamese writers, a model for publication of socially engaged and engaging literature. It has been a labor of love and devotion, personal sacrifice and commitment, an exemplar among literary presses in the U.S.A.
I’ve known and admired Sandy and Judy for thirty years and am proud to be associated with Curbstone both as one of their poets and more recently as a contributing editor. This spring, Curbstone Press will publish Salah Al Hamdani’s breathtaking memoir, Baghdad, Mon Amour as the first in a series of “Middlepoint Books” I edit.
But Sandy Taylor’s death should not be mourned. Rather, his life and commitments should be celebrated, as well they will be in several memorials around the country. And his legacy should be reaffirmed by all of us who oppose war and stand for human rights—just as he did throughout his 75 years.
Friends of literature, friends of democracy and social justice can help sustain Sandy Taylor’s magnificent legacy by making a donation to Curbstone Press. Visit the press on-line, buy a few books, and make a generous donation. It will be an investment in decency and integrity in publishing. –Sam Hamill
Alexander "Sandy" D. Taylor, 76, of Willimantic, CT died December 21, 2007. Taylor was the founder and co-director of