Back40 Publishing

Featuring limited editions of poetry and prose
by California Central Valley poets and writers . . .

Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel [1918-2007] . . .

-- An Illustrated Bibliography of Titles by Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel featured here is a fairly comprehensive resource for those interested in learning more about this unique American poet and her lifework.
      -- McDaniel wrote voluminously of her culture. Her sharecropper family was forced from Oklahoma in 1936 by the Great Depression and massive dust storms; one among thousands making their desperate exodus to California in search of survival. As a teenager she brought with her “the fire and burden of poetry,” which remained her constant and often critical companion her entire life.
      -- In conjunction with National Poetry Month in April, Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma (FOLIO) presented their newest Literary Landmark Dedication on Sunday, April 28, 2013 honoring Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel and the Stroud Public Library, where Wilma sent copies of a number of her chapbooks, books and some original papers to be archived. The town of Stroud, Oklahoma is nearest to the vicinity where Wilma was born and spent her younger years. This event was co-hosted by the Stroud Public Library, where a bronze plaque signifying Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel’s place in Oklahoma literary history is now located. Oklahoma has ten other Literary Landmark sites honoring Woody Guthrie, Will Rogers and others. To date, over 120 have been dedicated by participating library groups across the country.

Other poets and writers . . .

-- With exceptions, most hail from the Central San Joaquin Valley and western Sierra Nevada foothills of California. Native California poet Monolin “Manny” Moreno and others are featured here as material is gathered and edited . . . .

What else’s new . . . ?

-- The Elder by Monolin “Manny” Moreno and Chasing Fireflies: The Dust Bowl Childhood of a Poet by Jeanie Harris are the most recent editions presented by Back40.

All poetry and prose by Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel presented on this website © Back40 Publishing, Sebastopol, California and are posted
on these pages in tribute to, in memory of, and as an informative resource highlighting the late poet and her literary legacy--all rights reserved.

To reach Back40 Publishing, please contact: james@back40publishing.com