Thanks to those who attended yesterday's workshop at the CCU Waccamaw Center on "Writing toward a Poem's Mystery." Our discussion and close reading of the poems in the class packet has left me with much to think about, and I hope it has for the others in the class, too. Plus, I enjoyed hearing everyone read the new poems started in class yesterday--not to mention the pleasure that our group poem brought us all.
The workshop I'll be teaching in the spring semester will be "The Usefulness of Silence," which will include some of these considerations: A poem’s silences fulfill a purpose just as the words do. Thus, poets need to know how to use white space, punctuation, elliptical syntax, the unspoken—and the many other ways to be silent in a poem. We’ll read sample published poems, discuss how they manage their silences, and write poems of our own.
I'm already looking forward to it.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 -- Workshop: Writing toward a Poem's Mystery
Workshop: Writing toward a Poem's Mystery
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Waccamaw Higher Education Center
160 Wilbrook Boulevard
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
OLLI at Coastal Carolina University
Instructor, Susan Meyers
Some of the most enduring poems, those that bear repeated readings, can claim both clarity and mystery. A poem’s mystery is partly what accounts for its leaps, when some of the work of connecting—of getting from here to there—is left to the reader. The class will include writing activities and a resource packet.
Lunch can be purchased at a nearby deli, or bring your own.
Registration, $30: Coastal Carolina University Lifelong Learning, 843-349-4032 or www.coastal.edu/outreach.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Aug. 18-25, 2009: Poem featured at Linebreak
I love having a poem on Linebreak, partly because each week the online journal offers an audio of the featured poem. This week I'm happy that my poem "Dear Happenstance" is featured there, read by Josh Brown.
This poem is included in my book manuscript "My Dear, Dear Stagger Grass," now being circulated.
This poem is included in my book manuscript "My Dear, Dear Stagger Grass," now being circulated.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Jul. 31-Aug. 1, 2009: NC Writers Conference
July 31 - August 1, 2009
North Carolina Writers Conference
Little River Golf & Resort
Carthage / Pinehurst, NC
"Our 60th Splendid Summer"
Ruth Moose, Honoree
What a pleasure it was for Sally Logan, Pat Riviere-Seel, and me to plan this year's NC Writers Conference honoring Ruth Moose, of Pittsboro. Each year at the end of July, Conference members and their guests meet at a different location across North Carolina to hold programs and honor a North Carolina writer or literary leader at the Saturday night banquet.
Ruth Moose—highly regarded writer, editor, critic, and teacher—was chosen for her talents as a writer and long-time teacher and leader in the literary community. She is the author of numerous books of fiction and poetry. Her short story collections include Rules and Secrets (Pure Heart Press, Main Street Rag Publisher), a reissue of stories from the earlier books The Wreath Ribbon Quilt and Other Stories and Dreaming in Color. Her poetry collections include Making the Bed (Sandstone Publishing), Smith Grove (Sow’s Ear Press), Finding Things in the Dark (Briarpatch Press), To Survive (Book Mark Press, Univ. of Missouri), as well as her just-released collection The Librarian and Other Poems (Main Street Rag Publishing).
Ruth is on the Creative Writing Faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill, a position she has held since 1996. Her work has been published in Atlantic Monthly, New Delta Review, Yankee, The Nation, Christian Century, Southern Poetry Review, and numerous other magazines and literary journals. It has also frequently been anthologized and taught in classes. Her honors include several PEN Awards for Syndicated Fiction, a Robert Ruark Award for Short Story, North Carolina Writers Fellowship, MacDowell Fellowship, and Oscar Arnold Young Book Award for Poetry.
Friday night's Conference program offered an abbreviated performance of "A Thousand Things Time Will Never Let Us Say: The Correspondence of James & Katharine Boyd and Friends," a readers' theater performance based on years of research done by author Stephen Smith. It was performed by Stephen Smith, Shelby Stephenson, Marsha Warren, and friends. Afterward Ruth read from The Librarian. Mostly she chose humorous poems for her reading--and kept the audience bent double with laughter.
Saturday's program, planned by Sally Logan, consisted of two morning panels. The first was "On Readings, Reviews, and Interviews," by Kay Grismer, The Country Bookshop; Faye Dasen, Features Editor, The Pilot; and D. G. Martin, host of NC Bookwatch. The second panel on "Writing for Children and Young Adults" was offered by authors Eleanora E. Tate, Lisa Williams Kline, and Joyce Moyer Hostetter.
The Saturday afternoon program, presented by Georgann Eubanks, was a virtual literary tour of the Piedmont region of North Carolina, focusing on writers' houses. Her program was based on the second volume of her three-part series, North Carolina Literary Trails. Each volume features numerous trails mapped out for either the mountains, Piedmont, or coast.
At the Saturday night banquet--emceed by Joy Acey--Sally Buckner, Bland Simpson, John York, and Valerie Yow paid tribute to Ruth. Also, letters of tribute from Mignon Ballard, Joseph Bathanti, Doris Betts, Marianne Gingher, Johnsie Markham, Dannye Romine Powell, and Dartha Whitis were read.
The NCWC, begun in 1950, celebrated its theme of “Our 60th Splendid Summer” this year. Chairing this event was a huge task, but it brought me great satisfaction to see about a hundred members and guests coming together to enjoy the programs, visit with fellow authors and friends, honor Ruth Moose, and look back with fondness at the organization's past. Next year's Conference, chaired by Sally Logan, will honor author and musician Bland Simpson.
North Carolina Writers Conference
Little River Golf & Resort
Carthage / Pinehurst, NC
"Our 60th Splendid Summer"
Ruth Moose, Honoree
What a pleasure it was for Sally Logan, Pat Riviere-Seel, and me to plan this year's NC Writers Conference honoring Ruth Moose, of Pittsboro. Each year at the end of July, Conference members and their guests meet at a different location across North Carolina to hold programs and honor a North Carolina writer or literary leader at the Saturday night banquet.
Ruth Moose—highly regarded writer, editor, critic, and teacher—was chosen for her talents as a writer and long-time teacher and leader in the literary community. She is the author of numerous books of fiction and poetry. Her short story collections include Rules and Secrets (Pure Heart Press, Main Street Rag Publisher), a reissue of stories from the earlier books The Wreath Ribbon Quilt and Other Stories and Dreaming in Color. Her poetry collections include Making the Bed (Sandstone Publishing), Smith Grove (Sow’s Ear Press), Finding Things in the Dark (Briarpatch Press), To Survive (Book Mark Press, Univ. of Missouri), as well as her just-released collection The Librarian and Other Poems (Main Street Rag Publishing).
Ruth is on the Creative Writing Faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill, a position she has held since 1996. Her work has been published in Atlantic Monthly, New Delta Review, Yankee, The Nation, Christian Century, Southern Poetry Review, and numerous other magazines and literary journals. It has also frequently been anthologized and taught in classes. Her honors include several PEN Awards for Syndicated Fiction, a Robert Ruark Award for Short Story, North Carolina Writers Fellowship, MacDowell Fellowship, and Oscar Arnold Young Book Award for Poetry.
Friday night's Conference program offered an abbreviated performance of "A Thousand Things Time Will Never Let Us Say: The Correspondence of James & Katharine Boyd and Friends," a readers' theater performance based on years of research done by author Stephen Smith. It was performed by Stephen Smith, Shelby Stephenson, Marsha Warren, and friends. Afterward Ruth read from The Librarian. Mostly she chose humorous poems for her reading--and kept the audience bent double with laughter.
Saturday's program, planned by Sally Logan, consisted of two morning panels. The first was "On Readings, Reviews, and Interviews," by Kay Grismer, The Country Bookshop; Faye Dasen, Features Editor, The Pilot; and D. G. Martin, host of NC Bookwatch. The second panel on "Writing for Children and Young Adults" was offered by authors Eleanora E. Tate, Lisa Williams Kline, and Joyce Moyer Hostetter.
The Saturday afternoon program, presented by Georgann Eubanks, was a virtual literary tour of the Piedmont region of North Carolina, focusing on writers' houses. Her program was based on the second volume of her three-part series, North Carolina Literary Trails. Each volume features numerous trails mapped out for either the mountains, Piedmont, or coast.
At the Saturday night banquet--emceed by Joy Acey--Sally Buckner, Bland Simpson, John York, and Valerie Yow paid tribute to Ruth. Also, letters of tribute from Mignon Ballard, Joseph Bathanti, Doris Betts, Marianne Gingher, Johnsie Markham, Dannye Romine Powell, and Dartha Whitis were read.
The NCWC, begun in 1950, celebrated its theme of “Our 60th Splendid Summer” this year. Chairing this event was a huge task, but it brought me great satisfaction to see about a hundred members and guests coming together to enjoy the programs, visit with fellow authors and friends, honor Ruth Moose, and look back with fondness at the organization's past. Next year's Conference, chaired by Sally Logan, will honor author and musician Bland Simpson.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Thur., July 23: Reading at McIntyre's Fine Books
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Reading with Linda Annas Ferguson
7 p.m.
McIntyre's Fine Books
2000 Fearrington Village Center
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(off 15/501 just south of Chapel Hill and north of Pittsboro)
(919) 542-3030
Sponsored by the NC Poetry Society
Book signing to follow the reading.
Linda Annas Ferguson and I are happy to be included in the first year of the North Carolina Poetry Society Reading Series at McIntyre's. It's a monthly event, and our reading is coming up later this month. McIntyre's is a lovely independent bookstore that celebrated its 20th anniversary this past April. Please come to our reading if you're in the area.
Here are the details about our reading and the series:
___________________________________________________
Linda Annas Ferguson is the author of five collections of poetry: Dirt Sandwich, (forthcoming Press 53, September, 2009); Bird Missing from One Shoulder, Stepping on Cracks in the Sidewalk, Last Chance to Be Lost, and It’s Hard to Hate a Broken Thing. She was the 2005 Poetry Fellow for the South Carolina Arts Commission and served as the 2003-04 Poet-in-Residence for the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, S.C. A recipient of the Poetry Fellowship of the South Carolina Academy of Authors, she is a member of the Academy’s Board of Governors and was a featured poet for the Library of Congress Poetry at Noon Series.
Susan Meyers is a past president of the North Carolina Poetry Society and the Poetry Society of South Carolina. Her most recent book of poetry, Keep and Give Away, was the winner of the Brockman Campbell Book Award, the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Book Award for Poetry, and was selected by Terrence Hayes for the SC Poetry Book award.
The reading series, featuring poets from the North Carolina Poetry Society, is presented monthly at McIntyre’s Fine Books in Fearrington Village. The event is ongoing, the 4th Thursday of every month except for November and December. Be sure to make a note to attend all of these great events:
July 23- Linda Annas Ferguson & Susan Meyers
August 27- Gail Peck & Barbara Presnell
September 24- Terri Erickson & Scott Owens
October 22- Grey Brown & Rhett Trull
Reading with Linda Annas Ferguson
7 p.m.
McIntyre's Fine Books
2000 Fearrington Village Center
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(off 15/501 just south of Chapel Hill and north of Pittsboro)
(919) 542-3030
Sponsored by the NC Poetry Society
Book signing to follow the reading.
Linda Annas Ferguson and I are happy to be included in the first year of the North Carolina Poetry Society Reading Series at McIntyre's. It's a monthly event, and our reading is coming up later this month. McIntyre's is a lovely independent bookstore that celebrated its 20th anniversary this past April. Please come to our reading if you're in the area.
Here are the details about our reading and the series:
___________________________________________________
Linda Annas Ferguson is the author of five collections of poetry: Dirt Sandwich, (forthcoming Press 53, September, 2009); Bird Missing from One Shoulder, Stepping on Cracks in the Sidewalk, Last Chance to Be Lost, and It’s Hard to Hate a Broken Thing. She was the 2005 Poetry Fellow for the South Carolina Arts Commission and served as the 2003-04 Poet-in-Residence for the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, S.C. A recipient of the Poetry Fellowship of the South Carolina Academy of Authors, she is a member of the Academy’s Board of Governors and was a featured poet for the Library of Congress Poetry at Noon Series.
Susan Meyers is a past president of the North Carolina Poetry Society and the Poetry Society of South Carolina. Her most recent book of poetry, Keep and Give Away, was the winner of the Brockman Campbell Book Award, the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Book Award for Poetry, and was selected by Terrence Hayes for the SC Poetry Book award.
The reading series, featuring poets from the North Carolina Poetry Society, is presented monthly at McIntyre’s Fine Books in Fearrington Village. The event is ongoing, the 4th Thursday of every month except for November and December. Be sure to make a note to attend all of these great events:
July 23- Linda Annas Ferguson & Susan Meyers
August 27- Gail Peck & Barbara Presnell
September 24- Terri Erickson & Scott Owens
October 22- Grey Brown & Rhett Trull
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Kakalak anthology is available
The fourth annual edition of Kakalak: Anthology of Carolina Poets has recently been released. Edited by Beth Cagle Burt, Richard Allen Taylor, and Lisa Zerkle, the anthology features poets and artists from North and South Carolina. Congratulations to this year's prize winners. Here's a partial listing:
Poetry Prize Winners
1st: "not the matter" by Heather Dearmon, Pelion, SC
2nd: "Scar" by Kimberly Glanzman, Charlotte, NC
3rd: "The Butcher's Dream" by Paul Fisher, Nags Head, NC
Visual Art Prize Winners
1st: "Country Kitchen" by Susan Fecho, Tarboro, NC
2nd: "Dreaming of Leo" by Karon Luddy, Charlotte, NC
3rd: "Runs in the Family" by Patz Fowle, Hartsville, SC
In addition, there were 16 Honorable Mentions in poetry:
Claire Armstrong, Michael Colonnese, Genie Cotner, Phebe Davidson, Allison Elrod, Alex Grant, Teresa Haskew, Alice Owens Johnson, Steve Lautermilch, Kit Loney, David T. Manning, Jeff Miles, Sally B. Miller, Leslie M. Rupracht, Brian Slusher, Eric A. Weil.
After four years of editing Kakalak, the editors have decided to take a hiatus for a year to rethink the project. I admire all the work they've done and continue to do! This year's anthology contains work by about a hundred or so poets and artists. There will be readings throughout the Carolinas once again this year to give folks a chance to hear the poets and see the art. I was pleased once again to have a poem included (below--the layout is not exactly accurate as posted here). Thanks for all your hard work as editors, Beth, Richard, and Lisa--enjoy your 2010 break!
Morning after the Hailstorm
On the porch floor the scattered green stars
that fell from the sweet gums.
Some torn & misshapen
as if to say the wish
will never come true. Pine scent
in the air,
the gravel drive littered
with pitched needles & limbs.
In the garden the beans
beaten down,
the herbs (peppers too) and, oh, the tattered
umbrellas of squash leaves.
It was a wild night of lashing,
a veil of steam rising. All the pummeling
& shredding.
All the loose bright green
flung
to the ground, soon to turn brown.
For a few early hours the tender
pretense (forget
the havoc) that the heart is cheerful
as birdsong. Till the sun, searing
a different truth, climbs higher.
Poetry Prize Winners
1st: "not the matter" by Heather Dearmon, Pelion, SC
2nd: "Scar" by Kimberly Glanzman, Charlotte, NC
3rd: "The Butcher's Dream" by Paul Fisher, Nags Head, NC
Visual Art Prize Winners
1st: "Country Kitchen" by Susan Fecho, Tarboro, NC
2nd: "Dreaming of Leo" by Karon Luddy, Charlotte, NC
3rd: "Runs in the Family" by Patz Fowle, Hartsville, SC
In addition, there were 16 Honorable Mentions in poetry:
Claire Armstrong, Michael Colonnese, Genie Cotner, Phebe Davidson, Allison Elrod, Alex Grant, Teresa Haskew, Alice Owens Johnson, Steve Lautermilch, Kit Loney, David T. Manning, Jeff Miles, Sally B. Miller, Leslie M. Rupracht, Brian Slusher, Eric A. Weil.
After four years of editing Kakalak, the editors have decided to take a hiatus for a year to rethink the project. I admire all the work they've done and continue to do! This year's anthology contains work by about a hundred or so poets and artists. There will be readings throughout the Carolinas once again this year to give folks a chance to hear the poets and see the art. I was pleased once again to have a poem included (below--the layout is not exactly accurate as posted here). Thanks for all your hard work as editors, Beth, Richard, and Lisa--enjoy your 2010 break!
Morning after the Hailstorm
On the porch floor the scattered green stars
that fell from the sweet gums.
Some torn & misshapen
as if to say the wish
will never come true. Pine scent
in the air,
the gravel drive littered
with pitched needles & limbs.
In the garden the beans
beaten down,
the herbs (peppers too) and, oh, the tattered
umbrellas of squash leaves.
It was a wild night of lashing,
a veil of steam rising. All the pummeling
& shredding.
All the loose bright green
flung
to the ground, soon to turn brown.
For a few early hours the tender
pretense (forget
the havoc) that the heart is cheerful
as birdsong. Till the sun, searing
a different truth, climbs higher.
New website for the SC Poetry Initiative
The South Carolina Poetry Initiative--a statewide organization offering services to poets, schools, and communities--will soon have a new website. There you'll find information about its poetry contests, programs, publications, and various projects. Directed by Kwame Dawes and Charlene Spearen, the Poetry Initiative is an organization with a truly inpired vision. Check back soon for a link to the new web address.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Sunday, Jun. 7: Art of the Farm Closing Celebration
Art of the Farm Closing Celebration
Sunday, June 7, 2009
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Riverbanks Zoo Botanical Garden Hosted by The SC Poetry Initiative, USC Arts Institute, and the USC Department of Art and Department of English
Phone: 8037775492
Email: youngce@Mailbox.sc.edu
I'll be reading poems at this event on Sunday evening. Here's the Poetry Initiative's description of the celebration:
This catered event is free and open to the public. The evening will include a poetry reading, a photography exhibit celebrating local farms, and a special guest speaker who will talk about the pleasures and rewards of sustainable farming and gardening in South Carolina. The University of South Carolina Greed Quad, the Agriculture Commission, and several local grocery stores will also have informative displays on this subject. As a part of the closing celebration, poets who participated in the April 7th children's workshop and the June 4th adult workshop will get to see select poems from that workshop published in a commemorative chapbook.
This event is sponsored by the University of South Carolina Arts Institute, the South Carolina Poetry Initiative, and the University of South Carolina's Department of Art and Department of English.
Don't miss this enriching and entertaining evening!
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