Before the First Word

``The quest for a wider audience for poetry may be quixotic, but this series makes a serious attempt to present attractive, affordable selections that speak to contemporary interests and topics that might engage a younger generation of readers. Yet it does not condescend, preferring to provide substantial and sophisticated poets to these new readers. At the very least, these slim volumes will make very useful introductory teaching texts in post-secondary classrooms because they whet the appetite without overwhelming.'' -- Paul Milton -- Canadian Literature, 193, Summer 2007, 201003
``Before the First Word is a part of a new series of texts from Wilfrid Laurier University Press that strive to bring Canadian poets to a larger audience. Without pretence and with an eye to producing the effect of improvisation, these collections come selected and introduced by a critic with an afterword from the poet represented. This project is one of the most exciting, cooperative, communal and familial endeavours that I have seen coming out of the poetry establishment in the past few years and all of my praise goes out to Wilfrid Laurier Press for their efforts.'' -- Jason Ranon Uri Rotstein -- PoetryReviews, May 19, 2007, 20070522
``There's a lot of different material pulled together between two covers. It should give readers a good bird's-eye view of a writer's life and work. I think it's a great idea.'' -- Lorna Crozier about the Laurier Poetry series, -- 200511
``In a sense, it is a Best of Lorna Crozier.... These editions stand out by providing a thorough introduction to the work (written here by another poet) and an afterword by the poet herself. The intention is good, and this book itself is admirable.... Hunter's selections are excellent, ranging from Crozier's amusing and racy vegetable poems through her moving poems about love and family and on to her recent revisions of Old Testament stories.... I particularly like Crozier's own closing essay, a valuable discussion of the mysteries and gaps that mark the poet's trade....Crozier honours the simple but profound task of attention that both writing and reading poetry demands, and is unafraid to call it a kind of `devotion.' The Erica Grimm Vance painting on the cover, Growing Fiery Wings, is an entirely appropriate choice for this volume. It features a woman both earthbound and ethereal, struggling to perform some feat that will undoubtedly be powerful.'' -- Sue Sorensen -- Prairie Fire, 200609