Reviews of Our Work

Reviews from our Published Authors
I've had several poems published with Southern Arizona Press's Anthology series. Thus, when my small publisher went out of business I looked around for another venue for my books, and I've just republished both of my books here. It's been an excellent experience. Paul both listens and suggests. He knows what he's doing, is well organized, and is very good at this. I highly recommend Southern Arizona Press. - Elaine Reardon (Author of Look Behind You and The Heart is a Nursery of Hope)
***** It has been a wonderful experience working with you for publication of my collection of poems. For the first time in my more than four decades long writing career, I have found such a fast, smooth, and efficient publishing of my book -- from submission of my manuscript to it's acceptance, signing of the Agreement, making of the first draft, second draft, and third draft with due corrections and simultaneously choosing the cover design, to making the final draft of the book -- all done just in ten days. I am glad that the book is published on Valentine's Day and made available on Amazon from the same day. Thank you Paul Gilliland and your team for publishing my POEMS AND MICROPOEMS with such an unbelievable professionalism. - Ram Krishna Singh, Dhanbad, India (Author of Poems and Micropoems)
***** Finding Southern Arizona Press was a happy accident for me. After they accepted one of my poems for a recent anthology (Love Letters in Poetic Verse), I noticed the press also worked with individual volumes. As I had a collection I was sending around at that moment, I thought I’d take a chance and inquire if they were open to unsolicited manuscripts. Paul replied with a yes but said it might take time as he was busy finishing up that particular collection. He must be a busy guy because I got an answer in the affirmative within a week concerning my own work, which ultimately became Just a Little Cage of Bone. What has most impressed me with Southern Arizona is both the willingness to accommodate my own vision while giving constructive input and their timely reactions to any alterations I requested—and there were many. Within a month’s time of working directly with Paul, the book was up and live, yet he continued making adjustments for me even after the book had been published. I couldn’t be more pleased with the result as well as with the process. - Bill Cushing (Author of Just a Little Cage of Bone)
***** Southern Arizona Press is an incredible, mission-oriented publishing house whose stated purpose is to make the voices of “aspiring poets and authors available to a wide audience.” SAP published my second book of poetry, synchronicity, in 2023 after I had reached out to ask about its “No Fee Publishing Program.” From the first moment of contact until the book’s publication on Amazon – all of which took less than a few weeks – I was given detailed and specific guidance on editing, arranging, formatting, cover design, and the like, and always with courtesy, respect, support, and great enthusiasm. The entire publishing process was simplified, streamlined, and thoroughly supportive throughout, allowing me to focus entirely on my one and only job – creating poetry that would find a welcoming audience. And true to its word, and our written contract, this was all provided at no cost to me along with the potential for percentage royalties upon publication. Kudos to Paul Gilliland, SAP’s owner and Editor-in-Chief, for creating this wonderful vehicle for poets and authors! – Thomas Zampino (Author of synchronicity)
***** I was introduced to Southern Arizona press when I read anthologies published by them. I enjoyed the well-chosen, diverse themes and loved the cover page illustrations. In addition to being a reader of the publications of Southern Arizona Press, I have experience working with them as an author too. They are very prompt in responding to any interaction. I was amazed by their timely publications. It is true for a single piece of composition as well as for a book of collections. Their professional approach in editing, publishing, and promoting my recent publication Grass in Green – a collection of poems is praiseworthy. My experience in working with them has been very pleasant. Mr. Paul Gilliland, Editor-in-Chief, of Southern Arizona Press truly values authors and gives importance to every communication. His timely queries and suggestions are helpful and supportive. I will always remember the professional, supportive, and congenial responses of Southern Arizona Press. I extend my best wishes to Mr. Paul and all the team members of Southern Arizona Press.- Tasneem Hossain is a multilingual poet, columnist, op-ed and fiction writer, translator and training consultant from Bangladesh. She is the author of three poetry books and a book of collected articles of her own. She is the Director of Continuing Education Centre, Bangladesh. (Author of Grass in Green)
***** My book Fireflies Beneath the Misty Moon was an ekphrastic poetry collection, and therefore plenty of images had to be included. Southern Arizona Press and Paul were generous enough to align the pages just so the images could be produced in their greatest resolution. Additionally, they added several extra poems upon my request, for which I am extremely grateful. Also, they added a section describing the bios of each artist whose works were to be included in the book, that was very kind of them. The cover was designed beautifully and SAP was extremely prompt. I am really, really happy to have had my poetry collection published by SAP. I’m very glad with the way the book turned out. Thank you, Paul and SAP. In the past, some of my poems were selected for publication in three of SAP’s anthologies, and now I can add an actual book released by them to my CV. - Dibyasree Nandy (Author of Fireflies Beneath the Misty Moon)
***** I have had the opportunity to work with a lot of publishing houses since I am an author of numerous published books, but I must admit that finding Southern Arizona Press was a wonderful surprise for me. I didn’t have to wait for long months, on the contrary. Everything went smoothly. Paul Gilliland is a very punctual, patient, kind, and professional person. During the layout of my poetry collection, One Day You Will Tell Me, there were some small errors that were corrected with patience and in a short time. Paul also collaborated with me for the design of the book cover and I appreciated this so much. I sent him several images and he prepared several covers. I chose the one I liked more. Thank you very much Paul! I will come back to you again to give voice to my inspiration and realize my dreams. Because with Southern Arizona Press the dreams become a reality.- Irma Kurti, Bergamo, Italy (Author of One Day You Will Tell Me)
***** Southern Arizona Press met all my expectations and more for a publisher. I had searched for years for the right publisher that would help me keep the cost down for my book. They were prompt to respond to my questions and requests and with their help, I was able to see a dream come true. The quality of my book and cost was exceptional. They are truly a trustworthy company. - Randy C. Hale (Author of Still Moments)
Reviews of our Anthologies
The Wonders of Winter This is a beautiful winter anthology published by Southern Arizona Press. Grateful and delighted to be included here among such great company! It has a large variety of poetry. Loved the total collection. This would be a great selection of assorted poetry to travel with or take to the beach. Highly recommend if you are a poet lover.
The Poppy: A Symbol of Remembrance A beautifully written book, The Poppy: A Symbol of Remembrance, traces not only the significance of the red flower contributors receive with a donation to the American Legion today, but the origins of the famous poem known as In Flanders Fields penned by Colonel John McCrae in the early 1900s. In the throes of war he wrote it as he looked over the freshly dug graves in a field of red poppies. What began as Author Paul Gilliland's love of World War One poetry in 2006 became a comprehensive book of poetry much of which has been lost to history. It also includes poetry from 21st century poets in remembrance of fallen heroes from all wars of that last century. I found it to be both interesting and fascinating to see the poetry and songs written so long ago and that of more contemporary poets and how they chose to express themselves. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
The Stars and Moon in the Evening Sky Full disclosure: Two of my poems are included in The Stars and Moon in the Evening Sky, an anthology skillfully edited by Paul Gilliland and published by Southern Arizona Press. When my copy arrived, I read six or seven randomly selected poems. I immediately concluded I needed to keep reading as the works of the 65 poets represented are filled with beautiful imagery, wonderful lyricism, and deep feeling. This is a book not only to read once and place on a shelf. It belongs on your bedside table to read in the moments before sleep. It belong in your carry-on luggage to read aboard an airplane -- a night flight perhaps when you are closest to the stars and moon. In other words, to be read again and again to savor every syllable.