Letter from long time supporter–John Simonds

September 2022

Dear friend of Bamboo Ridge Press:

I am a retired Honolulu daily newspaper editor and a long-time supporter of Bamboo Ridge Press, which began 44 years ago as a pioneering medium for local writers seeking more island-based opportunities to publish their work.

That important role continues, and over recent decades Bamboo Ridge has grown its field of contributors to include the writing, photography, and art of others who have shared, experienced, or observed life in Hawai‘i and the Pacific. Its periodic anthologies also have showcased a wide-angled array of community voices, words, and images from a cultural kaleidoscope that reflects an ever-changing region.

BRP continues to present the works of individual authors many have come to know personally through their stories, poems, plays and public reading events the Press has sponsored over the years. At the same time, the expanding horizons of its publications have added new perspectives from other islands and continents to a welcoming pursuit of diverse narratives.

We have this homegrown independent literary small press to thank for displaying achievement in print, design, illustration, and other results of creativity benefiting from greater attention. Anyone who’s mailed a gift issue of Bamboo Ridge to a reader elsewhere has likely received enthusiastic thanks and praise for the quality content, professional presentation, and depth of talent expressed in its pages.

Support for non-profit Bamboo Ridge Press does more than encourage those whose work appears in its publications. It can help increase the audience for local literature, reaching more readers to share the voices of Hawai‘i.

If you’re not already a subscriber or donor, please consider joining now to further BRP’s success. If you have been a supporter, mahalo for your help! Please accept our hopes for renewed generosity.

Aloha,
John E. Simonds