ABOUT Ex Ophidia Press
Exploring new territories of the imagination by using the traditional techniques of poetry.
The Legend of Our Logo
Ex Ophidia means “out of the snakes.” At Ex Ophidia Press we use as our logo and pressmark the image of the dragon with its tail in its mouth. The logo represents the creative circle of poetry, by which poets, using their own experience, recreate this experience for others, thereby renewing human emotions through the medium of language. At Ex Ophidia Press we believe that the best creative methods of the past are constantly being reinvented to serve the changing interest and tastes of society. It is our mission to support these “new traditions” by publishing the best examples of these practices in beautifully designed books. Our aim is to assist in a small way the continuing renewal of our national literature.
Our History
The internationally renowned author and handpress printer Richard-Gabriel Rummonds founded Ex Ophidia Press in 2014 to publish well-crafted contemporary poetry and fiction in impeccably designed editions. As proprietor of the Plain Wrapper Press in Verona, Italy, Rummonds edited, designed, and printed superb, limited editions of such authors as Jorge Luis Borges, Italo Calvino, Anthony Burgess, and John Cheever, and he brought the same standard of excellence to Ex Ophidia Press. In 2020 when Jim Jones, a literary scholar and former owner of his own small poetry press, assumed the role of publisher and managing editor, Rummonds remained active as the designer of Ex Ophidia Press books.
Our Future
In the fall of 2023, Jim Jones transferred ownership of the press to Amy Haddad, PhD, MFA, a professor emerita at Creighton University in Omaha, NE and a published poet.
As the new publisher and managing editor, Dr. Haddad intends to honor the past work of the press and continue efforts to reflect the diversity of the American poetic imagination. Poetry has always changed to meet the changing needs and tastes of society. At Ex Ophidia Press, we believe that certain constants persist amid change. What is depicted in individual poems changes, as new poets shine light on aspects of life that have previously been ignored, but poetry continues to rely on vivid imagery.
The mission of Ex Ophidia Press is to publish English language poetry that explores new territories of the imagination by using the traditional techniques of poetry: rhythm and melody, imagery and metaphor, irony and insight, apt language for important ideas.
Board of Directors
Amy Haddad
Chair
Amy Haddad is a poet, educator, and poetry publisher who taught at Creighton University in Omaha, NE for 30+ years. Her poetry and short stories have been published in the American Journal of Nursing, Janus Head, Journal of Medical Humanities, Touch, Bellevue Literary Review, Aji, Oberon Literary Journal, Abandoned Mine, Intima, and several anthologies. Her chapbook, The Geography of Kitchens, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2021 and her first poetry collection, An Otherwise Healthy Woman, was published by Backwaters Press, an imprint of the University of Nebraska Press in 2022. An Otherwise Healthy Woman won first place in the Creative Works category of the American Journal of Nursing Book Awards 2022.
Steve Martin
Treasurer
Steven S. Martin is managing partner of Paxton Advisors, LLC a business advisory and consulting firm based in Omaha, Nebraska. He is past president and chief executive officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE), was a member of the board of directors and led the company’s executive management team for over 16 years. He also served as a Board Director of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. .He served on numerous corporate boards and a Board Fellow and Certified Director with the National Association of Corporate Directors. Mr. Martin received a Bachelor of Science degree from Washburn University, a Master of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska, and an honorary doctorate in public service from Washburn University. He was inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame in 2016. He serves as the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer for Ex Ophidia Press.
Karen Drickey
Secretary
Karen has been involved in the arts most of her life. Growing up in North Dakota, she developed an early interest in all things creative, deciding to pursue an education and eventual career in art. She received her bachelor’s degree in K-12 Art Education from the University of Kansas prior to a highly decorated career with the Omaha Public Schools. During her 33-year career as an art educator she had the opportunity to work with students to design and implement public art projects including a sculpture honoring the work of Willa Cather at the Willa Cather Library. After retiring from the Omaha Public Schools Karen has remained fully immersed in the arts as she and her husband launched Gallery 1516, a non-profit arts organization and exhibition space dedicated to Nebraska and regional artists. Her work as gallery curator supports visual and performing arts, architecture and literature.
Katherine Burnette
Member at-large
Katherine Burnette’s short fiction has appeared in Maudlin House (Cast Of Characters), the Mystery Tribune (My Heart Is Painted Black), Sky Island Journal (Burning Up The Highway With Betty Jo.) Her short story, The Recluse, appeared in moonShine review. Her short story, The Post Office, will appear in the next issue of the moonShine review.
Burnette’s poetry has appeared in Red Fez, Flying South, vietnamwarpoetry.com and Deep South Magazine. Her debut mystery/legal suspense novel, Judge’s Waltz, won Pinnacle and Feathered Quill awards. She is at work on her second novel. Her webpage is katherineburnetteauthor.com.
Burnette earned a B.A. degree in English and Politics and a J.D. degree from Wake Forest University. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing, Fiction, from Queens University of Charlotte. She lives in Oxford, North Carolina.
Staff
Amy Haddad
Editor and Publisher
Sue Burkhard
Administrative Assistant
Richard-Gabriel Rummonds Poetry Contest
The internationally renowned author and hand press printer Richard-Gabriel Rummonds founded Ex Ophidia Press in 2014. He established the first Ex Ophidia Press poetry contest in 2016.
All Books
These past contest winning books and other Ex Ophidia publications are available from Asterism Books or Amazon.