Spell Work by Stephanie Valente

“Stephanie Valente’s Spell Work explores the strength within magic’s ephemera. With knife-sharp language and bejeweled imagery, Valente reminds us that, at times, desire can be more powerful and delicious than attaining that which is desired. In “/Spell: Enter Fantasy Land /" the poet writes: “1. buy the ticket / 2. enter through the turnstile / 3. visualize yourself with a rose gold crown / 4. exit through the gift shop”. To read Valente’s masterfully aware, refreshingly acerbic, and gorgeously fantastic poetic grimoire is to feel all the euphoria of magic without any of the sacrifice.”

— Kailey Tedesco, author of She Used to be on a Milk Carton, Lizzie, Speak, and FOREVERHAUS

“Stephanie Valente's Spell Work is glamour danger, and fun thought alchemy. Each poem shifts into the next, an invitation to death and more, "enter through the turnstile." A night circuit with a flower bright charge. “

— Monique Quintana, Author of Cenote City (Clash Book, 2019)