Circus Maximus

What would the Son-of-Man get up to in present-day Rome? Would he wander the Galleria Borghese, loiter outside nightclubs, ride trams, tip accordionists? How would Keats feel about the neon Dior sign that flashes away above the Spanish Steps? Are there ways to avoid Vespas on the sidewalks? Rules for carving a Pietà? And exactly which painter is responsible for the ugliest Jesus in the history of Western Art? A tour of Rome like no other, the poems of Circus Maximus ask these questions and more. Join David Starkey as he shines a torch on the sights, sounds, mysteries and metaphors of the Eternal City. David Starkey is the former Poet Laureate of Santa Barbara, a senior Fulbright scholar, and a six-time nominee for the Pushcart Prize. His latest volume of poetry is A Few Things You Should Know About the Weasel (Biblioasis, 2010).

Starkey is the former poet laureate of Santa Barbara, CA.

One of the only books of its kind, it can be marketed as a tourist's guide to Rome (in verse). All of the poems are inspired by major Roman landmarks or works of art. All promotional materials can play this up (as will the final layout and type treatment).

Attractive pocket-size format

Possible maps & illustrations

Starkey is the author of Creative Writing, the third best-selling creative writing textbook in the United States. It's published by Bedford/St. Martin's and Starkey will be pursuing well-known blurbers through them. We think it's likely Bedford will help us coordinate a venue/promotions for a launch next year in Boston at the time/in conjunction with AWP. Tour the sites of Rome with David Starkey's garrulous new guide to the Italian Renaissance in fifty pocket-sized poems