ESC! Magazine is now available for purchase from Lulu.com!

With a beautiful glossy cover printed on 100# paper and deep, rich, black print on 60# stock within, Lulu's printing process adds a richness to ESC! Magazine that complements the wide variety of short fiction, poetry and artwork we feature each issue.

Lulu does fantastic work for the independent small press and the sample copies I've received of this issue have a beautiful look at feel to them.

Welcome to issue 28 of ESC! Magazine.

Ben Nardolilli's "The Heathen Chronicles" leads an issue packed with 6 new short stories including works by Peter Tieryas Liu, Kristi Petersen Schoonover, Phillip Garcia, William Doreski, and Brant Goble.

Poetry selections this issue includes selections from several new poets to ESC! including John Grey, Holly Day, Howie Good, Kim Dela Cruz, and long-time ESC! contributor, Angela Consolo Mankiewicz.

The cover, "if shoes fit", flowed from the pen of Doug Johnson whose work last appeared on our cover in the fall of 2008.

In our Reading Lounge, you'll find a new chapbook review by Charles Ries.

Welcome to issue 27 of ESC! Magazine.

Jack Phillips Lowe's "Radcliffe Pead is a Prick" kicks off things this issue, followed by perennial ESC! favorite, Robert Potocki. Other featured authors include Tom Larsen, Brandon Kamins and up and coming young author, Shayla Riggs.

Poetry selections this issue features selections from several new contributing poets including Charles Craven, Joseph Reich, Michael Estabrook, Doug Holder and long-time champion and friend of ESC! Magazine, Ellaraine Lockie.

The cover, "Daytona Beach Pier", is by Mimi Mckinney (edited at author's request: 11.10.14) and Melissa Guillet's "Stoopid Chicken" brings the issue to a close on a fun note.

In our Reading Lounge, you'll find two new chapbook reviews from ESC! Magazine Poetry Editor, Charles Ries as well as his essay / interview with four notable small press publishers.

Welcome to issue 26 of ESC! Magazine.

This issue is filled with a number of great new shorts including "Changing Seasons" by Erin Neal and R.A. Allen's "Pooliside". Other authors featured this issue include William Cass, Dev Jarrett and ESC! veteran Kendra Paredes Hayden.

Poetry selections this issue include Joseph Goosey and the return this issue of Mike Kriesel, Norman J. Olson and G. Scott Hughes.

The cover, "Screw Loose 004", is from Cave Moon Press' Doug Johnson and Paul Tucker returns with a special Fall-themed "Vex: Devil's Night".

In our Reading Lounge, we've got four new chapbook reviews from ESC! Magazine Poetry Editor, Charles Ries.

Welcome to issue 25 of ESC! Magazine.

Angela Mankiewicz's short, "Laura Hanson's 1990" concludes this issue. Also in this issue is some great new short fiction from Deborah Caslav Covino, Robert Mayette, Gary Beck (making his second appearance in ESC!), and reader favorite Bob Potocki.

Our poetry selections this issue include Coffee House to Go co-host, LB Sedlacek as well as Kellie Powell, Mike Kriesel, Norman J. Olson, Christine Purcell, Mark Wisniewski, William Peacock and long-time contributor to these pages, t. kilgore splake.

The cover, "Untitled", flows from the pen of Norman J. Olson and Paul Tucker is back with another installment of his series, "Vex".

In our Reading Lounge, Poetry Editor Charles Ries has two new chapbook reviews for your reading pleasure as well as an editorial, "Is writing trying to kill me?"

ESC! Magazine's Coffee House to Go - Across the Mic is the companion podcast to ESC! Magazine's Coffee House to Go featuring interviews with upcoming and notable figures in the small press community including printers, publishers, bloggers and, of course, poets and writers.

In this episode, Mike speaks with poet Ellaraine Lockie.

Ellaraine's first love in literature is poetry, but she is also an avid traveler, essayist, workshop instructor and nonfiction book author. In addition to numerous awards and nominations for her writing, Ellaraine shares her love of the craft with up and coming poets through her work as a judge and sponsor of poetry contests, participation in mentoring programs, and through teaching workshops on poetry and the creative process in libraries, schools, community programs and writing groups.

Download this episode at Coffee House to Go's home page.
or
Subscribe using your favorite podcatching client! or

Welcome to issue 24 of ESC! Magazine.

Angela Mankiewicz's short, "Laura Hanson's 1990" continues this issue. Stay with us until April if you want to catch the conclusion! Also in our short fiction, you'll find a number of great new shorts from Terry Sanville, Joyce G. Bradshaw, BV Lawson, Ron Richardson and Ryan Dilbert's "Hiroki's Resurrection Bash."

Our poetry selections include works by Peter Schwartz, Duane Locke, Louis McKee and long-time ESC! Magazine reader favorite, Farida Mihoub.

ESC! Magazine's resident artist, Paul Tucker contributes this issue's cover, "Luna".

And in our Reading Lounge, Poetry Editor Charles Ries has prepared two new chapbook reviews for your reading pleasure.

Welcome back to ESC! Magazine.

All that's old is new again this issue thanks to the addition of Charles Ries as our Poetry Editor. Charles worked hard to present you with a fresh selection of poets both new and familiar this issue, including works by G. Scott Hughes, John Grey, E.V. Noechel, Ellaraine Lockie and Sharmagne Leland-St. John.

Co-host of our podcast, Coffee House to Go, LB Sedlacek kicks off the short fiction with her piece, "The Echo of Lima Beans". Reader favorite Bob Potocki contributes his story, "Remembrance" followed by Jonathan Scott's "Reception". I'm also proud to present the continuation of Angela Mankiewicz's short, "Laura Hanson's 1990".

With us since the beginning, Paul Tucker continues his illustrated story "Vex" on page 25 and Jonathan Scott's illustrations can be found within his own short story as well as this issue's cover.

In our Reading Lounge, Poetry Editor Charles Ries contributes a new chapbook review as well as an interview with author Michael Graves.

For Immediate Release:
Charles P. Ries Joins the Editorial Staff of ESC! Magazine

Huntley, IL March 1, 2007

After many years of contributing great book reviews, short fiction, and poetry to the pages of ESC! Magazine, I'd like to welcome Charles as an official member of the ESC! Magazine editorial staff beginning March 1st, 2007.

Charles brings a fresh perspective to the poetry of ESC! Magazine through his years of experience and deep knowledge of and personal ties throughout the American small press scene.

The addition of Charles to our editorial staff teams him with existing staff members LB Sedlacek (co-host of our podcast, Coffee House to Go), Paul Tucker (Art Direction) and Robert Potter (Editorial Advisor).

About Charles P. Ries

Charles lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His narrative poems, short stories, interviews and poetry reviews have appeared in over one hundred and sixty print and electronic publications. He has received four Pushcart Prize nominations for his writing. He is the author of THE FATHERS WE FIND, a novel based on memory. Ries is also the author of five books of poetry — the most recent entitled, The Last Time which was released by The Moon Printing and Publishing in Tucson, Arizona. He is a founding member of the Lakeshore Surf Club, the oldest fresh water surf club on the Great Lakes. He is the poetry editor for Word Riot (www.wordriot.org) and Pass Port Journal (www.passportjournal.org). He is on the board of the Woodland Pattern Bookstore (www.woodlandpattern.org) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Most recently he has been appointed to the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission.

For more information about Charles, please visit: http://www.literati.net/Ries/

ESC! Magazine's Coffee House to Go episodes #19a and 19b, Coffee House to Go's Across the Mic #3 and For Mac Eyes Only #9 coming this week.

Released on January 10th, Coffee House to Go's Across the Mic #3 features an interview with short story author and blogger Michael Guy.

ESC! Magazine's Coffee House to Go #19a brings your usual blend of underground press news, promos and great new music and #19b features a roundtable discussion about the issues facing Small Press authors and publishers.

For Mac Eyes Only is our weekly podcast for the Mac community. In episode 9 this week, we continue our discussion on the aftermath of the iPhone announcement and help listeners with .mac-like online storage and taking screenshots for switchers.

Coffee House to Go and Across the Mic can be found at www.coffeehousetogo.com

For Mac Eyes Only is at www.formaceyesonly.com

disclaimer: Michael Guy's book, "Temporary Trouble Spots, Year One" was published by ESC! Publications.

For Mac Eyes Only is a new weekly podcast from the ESC!Cast Network for the Mac user community offering different perspectives on current Mac news and events.

Our "pilot" episode covers my history with Apple computers, tackles the question of how to load Windows 98 in Parallels Desktop and we feature Adium as our Software of the Week.

You may download the latest episode from www.formaceyesonly.com
or
Subscribe using your favorite podcatching client!

Welcome back to ESC! Magazine.

Angela Mankiewicz, Robert Potocki and G. Scott Hughes all join us again this issue with two new short stories and a great selection of poetry.

In addition, we have three more stories by Diane Gillette, Roy L. Pickering Jr. and Gary Beck while Ellaraine Lockie rounds out &, the poetry section of ESC!

In our Reading Lounge, you'll find a new book review by Charles Ries and some quick tips on subscribing to our RSS feeds using iTunes or Juice Receiver.

This month's cover, "Skinny Legs & Old Dirty Sock", by Lance King was inspired by the book, "Skinny Legs and All” by Tom Robbins.

Temporary Trouble Spots, the personal weblog of Michael Guy, is the ever-changing landscape along the drive of Guy’s self-discovery.

Most road trips have a starting point with an end destination in mind. Guy’s writing has no end destination; it’s all about the ride. And, much like any drive, we’ll see some sights along the way. When the sign reads, “three-headed calf” ... we, his readers, are obligated to pull over. Not all the sights are pretty. But they make the true landmarks along the way that much more valued....

This book, released by ESC! Publications, chronicles the first year of Temporary Trouble Spots. Taking us down the initial leg of Guy’s hilarious, poignant, and sometimes nostalgic, trip, Guy's essays leave us with the promise of more incredible scenery to come.

440pgs. / Hardcover
First Edition
$29.95

ESC! Magazine's Coffee House to Go episode #15 and Coffee House to Go's Across the Mic #2 are now available.

Across the Mic #2 continues our conversation with author and poet Charles P. Ries while Coffee House to Go #15 brings your usual blend of underground press news, promos and great new music.

Download the episodes from www.coffeehousetogo.com
or
Subscribe using your favorite podcatching client! or

ESC! Magazine's Coffee House to Go - Across the Mic is the companion podcast to ESC! Magazine's Coffee House to Go featuring interviews with upcoming and notable figures in the small press community including printers, publishers, bloggers and, of course, poets and writers.

Our first guest, Charles P. Ries, is a noted author and poet with work appearing in over 120 publications. He's appeared on NPR's Theme and Variations and he's a small press reviewer and author of 5 books of poetry and two novels.

This first episode of Across the Mic is Part 1 of a two-part interview that was recorded as a Skype to landline call on June 24th, 2006.

Download this episode from www.coffeehousetogo.com
or
subscribe using your favorite podcatching client! or

Welcome to issue 21 of ESC! Magazine.

ESC! welcomes back Diane Payne to this issue as well as four more great new stories from Cody Meirick, Jim Kohl, Ryan Bruner and Edward McDermott.

Ryan G. Van Cleave joins us once again in &, our poetry section. And I'd like to welcome two newcomers to ESC! Magazine, Richard Fein and Adrian S. Potter.

In our Reading Lounge, you'll find two new book reviews by Charles Ries and some quick tips on subscribing to our RSS feeds using iTunes or Juice Receiver.

This month's cover, "Woodland Faeries", was contributed by my good friend and long time ESC! contributer and artistic consultant, Paul Tucker.

ESC! Magazine and Coffee House to Go would like to welcome LB Sedlacek and The Poetry Market E-zine to our 'cast.

Each month, LB will present our Lit. News and other interesting tidbits for our listeners.

If you are searching for poetry markets and contests, check out one of Writers Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers 2005, The Poetry Market Ezine. Published monthly, The Poetry Market E-zine also includes poetry reviews. Visit LB's site, http://www.thepoetrymarket.com for more information.

Welcome to issue 20 of ESC! Magazine.

ESC! regular Bob Potocki leads off our fiction selections this issue with his new story "Snapshot." In addition we have three more short stories by Jnana Hodson, Angela Mankiewicz and Kendra Paredes Hayden.

We welcome back G. Scott Hughes and Ryan G. Van Cleave to our poetry section, &. In addition we have new poems from Violet Toler, Angela Mankiewicz and Coffee House to Go contributor Monica Ellen Smith.

In our Reading Lounge, you'll find Charles Ries' chapbook of poetry, "Odd" reviewed by Kris Rued-Clark.

This month's cover comes from the imagination of award-winning Florida based illustrator Stephanie Rodriguez.

Inaugural episode of Coffee House to Go, ESC! Magazine's monthly Small Press Podcast featuring readings of poetry, short fiction, interviews and reviews as well as featured music from independent bands.

Welcome to the 19th issue of ESC! Magazine.

This issue brings four great new short stories your way. Two from new contributors Marcia Mascolini and Ann Stewart, a tale from the mind of Charles Ries and a new piece from longtime contributor Bob Potocki.

Our poetry section, &, reintroduces the concept of an "issue within an issue." Along with new verse by ESC! regulars Joyce Bradshaw and Guy Qualls, I'm pleased to present the works of G. Scott Hughes, Anthony Liccione and L.B. Sedlacek.

Also, you'll find Joseph Farley's chapbook of poetry, "SUCKERS" reviewed by Charles Ries on our new book reviews page.

This month's cover is by Claudio Parentela, an illustrator and cartoonist from Italy who is very active in the underground scene of zines and comics.

Read Mike's blog for short, random thoughts from the publisher of ESC! Magazine.

Containing short missives on many different topics, you'll be treated to behind the scenes of ESC! Magazine "action," rants on technology and anything else that pops into Mike's head. All blogs are open to your comments as well.

Read the ESC! Magazine Blogitorials at: http://escwebs.blogspot.com/

ESC! presents an expanded line up of fiction and poetry this issue. Featuring the short story "Baaaaaab" by Diane Payne and "VEX: Seasonal Sleep" by Paul Tucker, this issue is also proud to welcome back reader favorites Joyce Bradshaw and Bob Potocki. Rounding out our new fiction this issue are Deborah Mercier and Charles Ries, both of whom I hope we'll see more of in the future.

Our poetry section brings you another piece by David Howerton as well as long time contributor Guy Qualls and two poems by ESC! newcomer Irene Sedeora.

ESC! introduces a new Book Review section this issue. If you have a book you'd like reviewed or have reviewed books in the past, please let us know. The current selection is "Marking Time" by Barbara Jordan Bache-Wiig, reviewed by Charles Ries.

This month's cover, "Cat and Mouse" was illustrated by Alex Rodriguez, a Chicago-based artist.

To help the ALA celebrate Banned Books week and to assist some of you who can't obtain these books locally, ESC! Magazine has posted a list of the most frequently challenged books of 2003.

Follow this link to learn more....

ESC! is shifting gears somewhat this issue to present a broader range of fiction from both new and returning writers.  First we eagerly welcome back reader favorites Bob Potocki and Joyce Bradshaw.  Also this issue we're proud to feature Michael Guy and Brian Harrison both of whom mark their fiction publishing debuts!

Also in this issue, Cindy Potocki, continues her series "Diary of a Quarter Life Crisis" with her installment "Away" and David Howerton contributes his poem "Rainy Day."

Welcoming a new artist to ESC!, this month's cover illustration, "Barber" was drawn by Kenny Stephens a professional, Chicago-based illustrator.

This issue features two new holiday stories from the minds of Miriam Lee and Bob Potocki.  And, for those waiting since April, we're also featuring the conclusion of Joyce Bradshaw's trilogy, "The Wanderers".

Always thought provoking, Farida Mihoub and Guy Qualls contribute four new pieces for our poetry section, &.  Also in this issue we welcome a new writer to ESC!, Cindy Potocki, who brings us the wonderful and all-too-short story "Diary of a Quarter Life Crisis."

Inspired by Bob's short story "Gifts", Paul Tucker's illustration "Spiral" graces this issue's cover.  And speaking of Paul, this issue brings us the semi-biographical tale of the success and ultimate downfall of a small town boxer turned pro in "Vex".  And page 24 brings us a new comic by our good friend, Tosh Bibb.

Celebrate your publishing success stories. Reveal a great new small press magazine or website. Keep up with latest news about ESC! Magazine.

To make our forums successful, we need your participation, so get out there and tell your friends to meet you in the forums -- the ESC! Magazine Forums!

This issue features a wonderful experimental piece by Bob Potocki as well as a new mystery by our good friend and professional novelist Miriam Lee.  And, as promised, Joyce Bradshaw's trilogy entitled "The Wanderers" continues this issue leaving you hanging for the conclusion scheduled for our Fall 2003 edition!

& presents new works by contributing editor Guy Qualls as well as two new pieces by Farida Mihoub.

Our cover illustration entitled "Spring" flowed from the pen of Elissa Ferguson, a professional illustrator and designer based in Chicago, IL.

And no issue would be complete without the artistic stylings of Paul Tucker and his series "Vex".

Finally, we've started a new "guest opinion" section entitled Then Again...  Our first guest editorialist is Guy Qualls.

&, our poetry section, highlights works by contributing editors Guy Qualls and Robert Potter as well as a new piece by poet Farida Mihoub.

Our cover illustration is based on "Vex: Dia De Los Muertos" (also found inside) a continuing chapter of the Vex saga by Paul Tucker.

Finally, page 20 brings you a new Meet the Author section.  This issue features writer Miriam Lee, someone whose name long-time readers may recognize.  Miriam's work first appeared in the Summer 1993 issue of ESC! Magazine.

The fiction portion of the magazine sees the conclusion of Joyce Bradshaw's Tucker Trilogy and a new installment of the Chan and Vilagomez Mysteries by Derek Muk.

Last but never least our cover is graced by another fantastic illustration from the talented mind of Tosh Bibb.