I had a dream come true ten years ago. My book On that one-way trip to Mars was published in May 2016 — which is somehow a decade ago!
On that one-way trip to Mars is a book of space and body-inspired poetry. I meshed my love for outer space and space exploration with speculative sci-fi/sci-poetry about my bone disorder, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia. I sectioned the book as the solar system — each planet (and yes, I include Pluto as a planet; my fellow dwarf celestial body) includes a handful of poems relating to it in some way. It’s my version of the Voyager’s Grand Tour: from aliens finding the Golden Record to how zero gravity might give my aching bones a break.
When accepting my book for publication, Craig Mullins, the founder and editor-in-chief of Bottlecap Press, a small indie press in Los Angeles, California, told me he could see it on his bookshelf — and my body left the atmosphere. I’m so grateful to Mullins and Bottlecap Press for taking a chance on an emerging writer, allowing her book to exist in the world. And when I shared my idea of including public domain photographs from NASA in the book and on the cover, Mullins was game. This space nerd was ✨ecstatic✨.
I was so lucky to have reviews written about my little poetry book:
- Review by Christina M. Rau in Book Riot
- Listed in Necessary Fiction’s Recommended Reading 2016
- Review by Diane Severson in the Science Fiction Poetry Association’s Star*Line
- Review by Bethany Mary in Vagabond City Lit
- Review by Jim Thompson in Cacti Fur
- Review in Beach Sloth
In 2017, I couldn’t believe my book was nominated for an Elgin Award from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association (SFPA). SFPA, founded in 1978, celebrates speculative poetry, publishes two magazines, and coordinates an annual poetry contest and annual poetry awards. While On that one-way trip to Mars didn’t win, you should check out the Elgin Award winner archive for some incredible speculative science poetry.
Sadly, in 2020, On that one-way trip to Mars went out of print. This means the publisher stopped producing new copies and doesn’t plan to reprint it, which most often happens because sales were too low to be profitable. I’m not sure how many copies of my book ever sold, but I’m grateful to anyone who bought a copy through Bottlecap Press’ online shop or from me at in-person readings. Your supportive gravity keeps me orbiting through this life 🚀.
It’s possible, though doubtful, that you’ll find a copy of On that one-way trip to Mars in a used bookstore or library. For some reason, there’s one copy available on Amazon for $120?! (Perhaps a scam by Martians).
If anyone is interested in owning a copy, reach out to me — I have a few saved in my closet that I’d be happy to sell (for only $12!), or gift if you buy my second book Crumb-sized: Poems from Unnamed Press, or trade for your own published poetry book!
While now out of print, On that one-way trip to Mars existed on this Pale Blue Dot, in this vast solar system, and ever-expanding universe. Thank you to everyone who purchased my first book or my second book, took a chance on publishing me, reviewed my books, and supported my writing in any way! Thank you for being part of my book’s 10-year one-way trip to Mars!
On that one-way trip to Mars may have finished its version of the Voyager’s Grand Tour, but you can still read my poems by purchasing my second book, Crumb-sized: Poems, or tracking the SETI signals my poems leave in various literary magazines and journals around the interwebs and in print.
Should I stop before one more out of this world pun? I’ll never run out of that kind of rocket fuel.
I’ll see myself out (of the galaxy) now.
