In 1980, Gene DeGruson, a special collections librariy curator at Pittsburg State University, established the Little Balkans Review. Its main purpose was to highlight history and arts of the southeast Kansas region. Coal mines attracted immigrants from Italy, France, Wales, and English in the 19th century. This was an area where unions evolved, and where Emanuel Haldeman-Julius (1888-1951) published Little Blue Books and the Socialist periodical Appeal to Reason.
Ted Watts, Al Ortolani, Jr., Wayne Bockelman, Tom Burns, Mike Hogard, and John Laflen are now calling for submissions of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, photographs, and artwork. They write in their letter of solicitation: "Prime consideration is given to works by Kansans and former Kansoans, as well as work set in the Little Balkans. However, consideration is also given to work iwth similar regional flare. Preference is given for non-fiction subjects related to the Little Balkans. At least half of the poetry of each issue will be devoted to poets wh have limited previous publication." For further information, contact LittleBalkansReview@gmail or write 909 S. Olive, Pittsgurg, KS 66762.
This is a living memorial to DeGruson, who devoted his career to the culture of his region and to betterment of average citizens. Another of his contributions was discovery and editing of The Lost First Edition of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle.
