City of the Big Shoulders: An Anthology of Chicago Poetry, edited by Ryan G. Van Cleave, is now available from the University of Iowa Press.

Chicago has served as touchstone and muse to generations of writers and artists defined by their relationship to the city’s history, lore, inhabitants, landmarks, joys and sorrows, pride and shame. The poetic conversations inspired by Chicago have long been a vital part of America’s literary landscape, from Carl Sandburg and Gwendolyn Brooks to experimental writers and today’s slam poets.

This collection features the work of 100 contributors -- including many UI-connected writers -- who take their materials and their inspirations from the city itself in a way that continues this dialog. For an interview with Van Cleave in the Huffington Post, click here.

Van Cleave is author, coauthor, editor, or coeditor of 19 books, including poetry, young adult fiction, and nonfiction. His book from the UI Press include the poetry anthologies Red, White, and Blues: Poets on the Promise of America, Vespers: Contemporary American Poems of Religion and Spirituality, Like Thunder: Poets Respond to Violence in America, and American Diaspora: Poetry of Displacement .

The book is available at bookstores or from the UI Press, 800-621-2736 or www.uiowapress.org. Customers in Europe, the Middle East or Africa may order from Eurospan Group at www.eurospanbookstore.com.