Rivers of Ink - by Steven Long (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Rivers of Ink: Literary Reflections on the Penobscot, with an insightful introduction by Sherri Mitchell Weh'na Ha'mu Kwasset, an esteemed Indigenous attorney, activist, and author from the Penobscot Nation, presents a captivating journey along Maine's vital Penobscot River. This charity anthology, weaving together the works of local writers, offers a deep dive into the river's lasting impact and its integral role in the region's heritage.

Readers are invited to explore the Penobscot's rich history, its pivotal contribution to industry and daily life, and the profound personal ties of those living along its shores. The collection also addresses the river's current significance, shedding light on environmental and climate challenges while celebrating its resilience. Through evocative essays, fiction, and poetry, Rivers of Ink vividly portrays the Penobscot's legacy, echoing the sights, sounds, and heart of this influential waterway.

Review Quotes

"The writers in Rivers of Ink speak to us about the power of place, how one river connects us all. It is as if writers and readers alike are on the banks of the Penobscot together, taking the time to look closely, learn from the past, and look toward the future. Each story, each poem becomes part of the flow in this river of words, and we travel through geologic time, indigenous time, and industrial time, to a time that-we hope-will be one of renewal."

-Stuart Kestenbaum, former poet laureate of Maine and author of six collections of poetry

"Brimming with voices as diverse as the river's currents and the land through which it flows, Rivers of Ink is a significant addition to the literature of the Penobscot. Readers both familiar and unfamiliar with the river itself will return to these pages,"

-Kristen Britain, New York Times bestselling author of the Green Rider fantasy series

"To the river writers in this anthology, thank you for your marvelous visions of the Penobscot. Ecological and animated, meditative, and hopeful, vital, tender, and welcoming: your poems, stories, and essays capture the spirit of this mighty thoroughfare. We came away feeling new awe and appreciation for that river that runs through all of us, sustaining and alive."

-Carl and David Little, authors of Art of Penobscot Bay

"What a testament this anthology is to the majesty and importance of the Penobscot River. The tenderness, reverence, and respect each writer has for the mighty watershed makes for a deeply moving and inspiring collection. Reading Rivers of Ink was an experience in gratitude: I am grateful to live on the shore of the Penobscot; I am grateful for this community of talented writers; I am grateful for the dazzling celebration between these covers-a treasure, polished smooth as a river stone, on every page."

-Hollie Adams, University of Maine professor, 2023 Acadia Poetry Fellowship, and chair of the Bangor Cultural Commission