Sandy Crimmins, we miss you (1951-2007)

A Memorial to the Unique

Around 2003, we met a short and spunky red-headed poet around Philadelphia who read very engaging poetry, often accompanied by guitar. In discussions on bringing out a book for her, she mentioned an idea she had for one collection she was working on; but she wasn't sure whether we (or anyone) would be up to it. She wanted strings to weave through the poems ala Harold and the Purple Crayon. Her collection focused on the conflicts and harmonies that people have with science and their faith. The collection was called "String Theory" and the poet's name was Sandy Crimmins.
We blended string imagery with text, creating a writhing gorgeous book, bound at the spine by string, fulfilling her dream book. String Theory was well received and sold well; she adored the book and her enthusiasm was contagious.
Sandy left us in the summer of 2007. Such a vibrant and wonderfully kind person, it still seems so impossible that she's gone. In her memory we are creating a Sandy Crimmins Memorial Book Award to allow other poets the chance to have their dream books come true: something visual, something out of the norm, something that stretches both the author's comfort zone and expectations. We think Sandy would have liked that.


Katy Jean May
Creative Director


I wrote about Sandy and her book on my chapbook blog shortly after her passing. We found out from a fellow Plan B Press poet, Joyce Meyers, about Sandy's untimely death and as it happened, we were scheduled to be in eastern Pennsylvania the weekend of her funeral which was held in the Germantown section of Philly. I was able to speak briefly with her husband, Joe, and her two sons. But words at that time seems hollow and empty. As we left the funeral service, Katy & I began to discuss how we could best remember Sandy and her marvelous talent. We had been thinking about establishing a Poetry Award which would take place in the Fall and Sandy became the spark and the focus of that idea. We quickly decided to call the award the Sandy Crimmins Memorial Award.

We haven't finalized the details yet, but as Katy mentions above - it will be an Award seeking to bring out a book with strong visual components as well as solid poetry. More details will follow in short order.

stevenallenmay
co-founder and editor-in-chief